PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jacob Preston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Stark told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Preston
vs
Stark

195 cm
19
220 lbs
0 - 9 - 0

190 cm
18
265 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jacob Preston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Stark!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Steve Montenegro and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Preston throws a right and a left that both miss.
Preston throws a series of punches but Stark moves out of range.

Stark drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stark prevents Preston from getting back to his feet.
Stark working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stark working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Preston is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Preston uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Stark shoots in and bounces Preston off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Stark landing some decent shots from guard.
Stark should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stark won't allow Preston to get back to his feet.
Stark postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stark landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Preston is looking to stand up but Stark isn't so interested in that idea.
Preston is breathing heavily.
Stark trying to control the position from guard on top but Preston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stark loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stark is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Preston wants to stand but Stark is controlling the position.
Stark throwing strikes from guard but Preston blocks nicely.
Stark looking to pass the guard.
Preston wants to get back to his feet but Stark is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Stark darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Well, if Stark is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Stark working over Preston with some ground and pound. Preston looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Stark is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Stark takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stark is looking to take a break and control but Preston is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Preston keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stark slows the pace down in half guard.
Preston looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark thows a huge punch but Preston dodges it nicely.
Stark thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Preston's head.
Stark thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stark content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Preston pushes Stark off looking to stand but Stark dives back in and keeps control.
Stark is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Preston throws a nice looking combination but Stark bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stark tries a head kick but it misses.

Stark looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Stark cracks Preston with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stark stands up over Preston, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Stark wants to control from the top but Preston keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Preston avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stark keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Preston's head.
Stark trying to control the position from guard on top but Preston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stark loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Preston working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stark.
Stark seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stark postures up in Preston's guard and throws a big left but Preston blocks it.
Stark must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Preston is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stark is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Stark dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stark pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Stark looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Stark prevents Preston from standing back up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stark connects with a nice short shot to Preston's temple.
Preston on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Preston is trying to stand up here but Stark is controlling him well.
Stark landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stark is trying to control. Preston wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stark connects with a nice short shot to Preston's temple.
Preston is trying to stand up here but Stark is controlling him well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stark keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Preston is trying to stand.
Stark is controlling the pace.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Preston tries to kick Stark off but Stark keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark working over Preston with some ground and pound. Preston looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Stark thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Preston's head.

Stark is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Preston avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stark.
Stark lands strikes from half guard.
Stark missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stark trying to pass the guard but Preston defending well.
Stark thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Preston's head.
Preston pushes Stark off looking to stand but Stark dives back in and keeps control.
Stark is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Stark trying to mount his opponent but Preston defends it.
Stark wants to take a breather but Preston is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Preston wants to get back to his feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stark lands a nice short elbow.
Preston is trying to stand up here but Stark is controlling him well.
Stark throwing shots but Preston is blocking nicely.
Stark lands strikes from half guard.

Stark is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Preston doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stark.
Stark throwing shots but Preston is blocking nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stark wants to control but Preston is keeping him busy.
Stark not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Preston is staying active underneath Stark, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Preston tries to kick Stark off but Stark keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stark seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Stark controlling the action here.
Stark lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stark looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Preston with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Stark scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Stark looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Stark is nestled in close to Preston, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Preston is trying to stand up here but Stark is controlling him well.
Stark trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Preston's head.
Preston tries to kick Stark off but Stark keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stark working over Preston with some ground and pound. Preston looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Stark with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
James Stark has got the better of the ground game so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stark lands a nice short elbow.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Stark in particular looking to stall.
Preston is trying to stand back up but Stark is controlling him
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stark drops an elbow to the side of Preston's head.
Stark with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Stark stops Preston from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Stark showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Stark scores with a nice strike.

Stark shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Preston's guard.
Stark working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Preston wants to stand but Stark is controlling the position.
Stark trying to control the position from guard on top but Preston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stark won't allow Preston to get back to his feet.
Stark landing with the ground and pound.
Preston preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stark throwing strikes from guard but Preston blocks nicely.
Stark chips away with some ground and pound.
Stark controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stark trying to control but Preston is working from the bottom.
Stark stops Preston from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark trying to control but Preston is working from the bottom.
Preston keeping full guard, as Stark tries to pass.
Stark keeps trying to improve his position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. James Stark wasn't active enough on the ground.

Stark is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Preston's half guard.
Stark thows a huge punch but Preston dodges it nicely.
Preston wants to get back to his feet.
Preston avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stark.
Preston pushes Stark off looking to stand but Stark dives back in and keeps control.
Stark controlling the pace.
Stark thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Preston's head.
Jacob Preston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Preston has hold of Stark's hands but Stark slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stark connects with a nice short shot to Preston's temple.
Still in half guard, Stark seems content to control.
Preston taking some punishment here, with Stark in his half guard.
Preston wants to get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Still in half guard, Stark seems content to control.
Stark is nestled in close to Preston, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Stark keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stark connects with a nice short shot to Preston's temple.
Preston is looking to escape.
Stark working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Stark is controlling the pace.
Preston on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Preston defending well though.
Stark takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stark has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Stark is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Preston is trying to stand up here but Stark is controlling him well.
Stark working Preston over with strikes.
Preston blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stark.
Preston tries to kick Stark off but Stark keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stark slips a nice elbow through Preston's hands, connecting with Preston's forehead.
Stark slips a nice elbow through Preston's hands, connecting with Preston's forehead.
Preston wants to get back to his feet.
James Stark is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Preston tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Preston is looking to escape.
Stark is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Stark content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Stark seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Preston does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Preston pushes Stark off looking to stand but Stark dives back in and keeps control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Stark wants to free his trapped foot but Preston is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Stark blocks the strikes from Preston.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Stark comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stark has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Stark!