PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bach Schtrappe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Schtrappe
vs
Spencer

175 cm
24
170 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

177 cm
24
170 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bach Schtrappe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Spencer!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spencer shoots in looking for a takedown. Schtrappe tries to sprawl out of it but Spencer keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Schtrappe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Schtrappe looks to throw the jab but Spencer is out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Schtrappe. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Schtrappe.

It looks like Joe Spencer has been cut.
Schtrappe tries to work over Spencer's front leg with a kick but Spencer checks it.
Spencer changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spencer. Schtrappe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Schtrappe throws a leg kick which misses Spencer's front leg but catches the back leg as Spencer tries to avoid it.
Schtrappe chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Spencer fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Schtrappe checks it well.
Schtrappe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spencer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Schtrappe jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Spencer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Schtrappe throws out the jab.
Spencer just misses with a punch to the body.
Spencer looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Schtrappe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Schtrappe scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer lands with a cross.
Schtrappe moves out of range of the strikes.
A lazy left from Schtrappe finds it's target.
Spencer looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Schtrappe scores with a decent looking hook.

Spencer looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Schtrappe looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Schtrappe has his hands clasped together around Spencer's back. He's all about the action.
Schtrappe has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Schtrappe regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Spencer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schtrappe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Spencer is controlling him.
Schtrappe controlling the position.
Spencer cracks Schtrappe with a solid left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Schtrappe is trying to keep Spencer in close.

Schtrappe had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Spencer defends it easily.
Spencer landing with the ground and pound.

Schtrappe is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Spencer defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spencer looking to pass the guard.

Schtrappe has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spencer can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Spencer slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Schtrappe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Spencer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Schtrappe has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Spencer has managed to get both his arms back between Schtrappe's legs - danger averted.
Spencer chips away with some ground and pound.
Spencer is looking to pass into half guard but Schtrappe pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Schtrappe is in guard.
Spencer working a defensive guard here.
Spencer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Schtrappe is one step ahead there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Schtrappe stands up from Spencer's guard - Schtrappe perhaps looking for a knockout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spencer is defended easily by Schtrappe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bach Schtrappe will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Joe Spencer's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Spencer lands a nice shot that snaps Schtrappe's head back.
Schtrappe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Schtrappe goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Schtrappe bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Spencer's head backwards.
Schtrappe throws out a loose jab but Spencer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spencer throws a looping overhand right but Schtrappe ducks down to avoid it.
Schtrappe is looking to land body kicks.
Schtrappe misses with a straight left.
Schtrappe misses with a looping left.
Schtrappe tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A clash of legs there as Spencer blocks the low kick.
Schtrappe tried to score with a low kick but Spencer checks it.
Spencer scores with a shot to the body.
Schtrappe throws a right hand that misses

and Spencer counters with a shoot takedown. Schtrappe fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spencer being controlled here momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer looking to sit in guard and control but Schtrappe gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Spencer has a closed guard, preventing Schtrappe from standing up.

Schtrappe stands and steps away. Spencer gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Schtrappe ducks under a wild hook from Spencer.
Schtrappe tries to score with a low kick but Spencer moves his leg out of the way.
Spencer checks a low kick from Schtrappe.
Spencer takes a jab right on the kisser.
Schtrappe looks for the body kick but Spencer saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer moves out of range as Schtrappe strikes.
Spencer avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A lazy left from Schtrappe finds it's target.
Spencer throws a low kick, looking for Schtrappe's leg but Schtrappe calmly moves out of range.

Schtrappe gets caught flat footed, as Spencer shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Spencer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Spencer scoring with punches to the head and body.
Schtrappe lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Spencer!

Schtrappe is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Spencer is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Schtrappe's half guard.
Schtrappe regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schtrappe keeping moving, preventing Spencer from controlling successfully.

Spencer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Schtrappe has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Spencer has managed to get both his arms back between Schtrappe's legs - danger averted.
Spencer wants to control from the top but Schtrappe keeps moving.
Spencer throwing strikes but missing.
Spencer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Spencer postures up in Schtrappe's guard and throws a big left but Schtrappe blocks it.
Spencer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Schtrappe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer wants to control from the top but Schtrappe keeps moving.
Spencer is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Spencer 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.
Spencer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer preventing the sweep.
Spencer postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Schtrappe misses with a wild body shot.
Schtrappe throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joe Spencer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Joe Spencer's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Spencer throws a body punch but Schtrappe moves out of range.
Bach Schtrappe is winning the standup battle so far.
Spencer scores with a nice strike.
A clash of legs there as Spencer blocks the low kick.
Schtrappe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Schtrappe jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Schtrappe misses with a low kick.
Schtrappe just misses with a punch to the body.
Spencer swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Schtrappe.
Schtrappe missing with a left hand there. Spencer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Schtrappe looks to land a body kick but Spencer moved away.
Spencer tries to land a front kick but Schtrappe steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Spencer takes one on the button.
Spencer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Schtrappe.
Spencer thows a left - swing and a miss!
Spencer is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Schtrappe throws the kick towards the body but Spencer avoids it.
Schtrappe gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer lands a jab to Schtrappe's midsection.
Spencer checks the leg kick.
Schtrappe misses with a wild body shot.
Schtrappe moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Schtrappe is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Spencer.
Spencer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Schtrappe manages to avoid it.
Spencer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Spencer shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Schtrappe manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Spencer won't allow Schtrappe to sweep him here.
Schtrappe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Spencer won't allow Schtrappe to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schtrappe controls Spencer momentarily but Spencer frees himself.
Joe Spencer has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bach Schtrappe.
Spencer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Spencer lands a lovely overhand right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big left from Schtrappe misses.
Schtrappe lands a leg kick that knocks Spencer off balance momentarily.
Spencer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bach Schtrappe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Spencer scores with a takedown into Schtrappe's guard.
Spencer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Schtrappe looking for a guillotine here but Spencer defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Spencer throws a big right hand that misses.
Spencer stopping the sweep attempt from Schtrappe.
Schtrappe seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Spencer postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Schtrappe had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Spencer defends it easily.
Schtrappe is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Schtrappe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Spencer showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Schtrappe has momentary wrist control but Spencer slips an elbow through the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Schtrappe's head.

Schtrappe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Spencer is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Spencer really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Spencer's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Schtrappe throws a right hand that misses

and Spencer counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Schtrappe's guard now.
Spencer throws a big elbow that misses.
Schtrappe trying to keep a closed guard but Spencer is proving a slippery customer.
Spencer throws an elbow that misses. Schtrappe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Spencer's guard. Nice move by Schtrappe!
Schtrappe won't allow Spencer to sweep him here.

Spencer is working an open guard so Schtrappe takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Spencer just misses with a punch to the body.
Spencer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Schtrappe circles away.
Spencer misses with a two punch combination.
Schtrappe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spencer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schtrappe misses with a low kick.
Spencer moves out of range as Schtrappe throws a body kick.
Schtrappe takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Spencer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Schtrappe.
Schtrappe misses with a straight left.
Spencer misses with a right hand
and Schtrappe counters with a series of strikes. Spencer will be more careful next time no doubt.
Spencer shoots in looking for a takedown. Schtrappe tries to sprawl out of it but Spencer keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Schtrappe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Schtrappe's corner calls for a 1-2. Schtrappe obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Schtrappe misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Schtrappe. Spencer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spencer checks the leg kick nicely there.
A telegraphed right hand from Schtrappe misses the target.
A combination from Spencer does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Schtrappe stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Schtrappe lunges at Spencer with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Spencer's hand.
Spencer misses with a looping right.
Schtrappe lands a slapping body shot.
Schtrappe misses with a hook. Spencer ducked under it nicely.
Spencer stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Schtrappe.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Schtrappe misses with a leg kick.
Spencer throws a series of strikes that have Schtrappe backpedaling.
Spencer keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Schtrappe stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Schtrappe wants it to stay on the feet.
Bach Schtrappe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Spencer.
Spencer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Schtrappe's waist but Schtrappe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Spencer off to one side.
Good exchange - Schtrappe coming out on top.
Schtrappe blocks a jab.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Schtrappe but Schtrappe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Spencer is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Spencer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schtrappe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Spencer misses with a body shot.
Spencer takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Spencer takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Schtrappe lands with a nice combination. Spencer backs away looking to recover.
Spencer dives in and grabs Schtrappe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Schtrappe pushes down on Spencer's head and hops out.
Schtrappe throws a good cross that connects.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Schtrappe, as that shot connected.
Schtrappe stuffs the takedown attempt from Spencer. Spencer gets slowly back to his feet.
Schtrappe looks to score with a jab to the body but Spencer is just out of range.
Spencer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Schtrappe is fending him off so far but Spencer persists. Nope, Schtrappe circles away and we're back to standing.
Schtrappe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spencer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer moves out of range as Schtrappe throws a body kick.
Schtrappe throws a jab when Spencer was well out of range.
Spencer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Schtrappe blocks a jab.
Spencer misses with a straight left.
Schtrappe misses with an uppercut. Spencer saw that one coming.
Schtrappe throws a jab but it's blocked by Spencer.
Spencer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spencer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spencer takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Schtrappe misses with an uppercut. Spencer saw that one coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Schtrappe to score with a decent uppercut.
Schtrappe delivers a nice body kick.
Spencer has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Schtrappe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bach Schtrappe had his way with Joe Spencer in that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Spencer's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Schtrappe scores with a jab.
Spencer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Schtrappe is fending him off so far but Spencer persists. Nope, Schtrappe circles away and we're back to standing.
Schtrappe misses with an uppercut

and Spencer counters with a nice double leg into side control. Schtrappe won't be happy with that.
Spencer cracks Schtrappe with a big right hand but Schtrappe just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Spencer working the ground and pound from side control.
Spencer lands some shots froms side control.

Schtrappe throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spencer connects with a body shot that sends Schtrappe's belly button to the back.
Schtrappe takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Spencer's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Schtrappe throws a leg kick but Spencer checks it.
Spencer takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Schtrappe lands a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schtrappe misses with a looping left.
Spencer throws a looping overhand right but Schtrappe ducks down to avoid it.
Spencer misses the shot to the body.
Schtrappe lands with a kick to the ribs.
Schtrappe lands with a shot to the body.
Schtrappe looks to land a left hand but Spencer moved out of range nicely.
Spencer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Schtrappe tries to avoid it but Spencer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Schtrappe to the ground. Schtrappe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Schtrappe takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Joe Spencer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schtrappe misses with a wild body shot.
Schtrappe lands with a thumping leg kick.
Schtrappe just misses with a punch to the body.

Spencer drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Spencer is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
You can see the frustration on Schtrappe's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer trying to control the position but Schtrappe is working away.
Spencer tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Spencer misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Schtrappe is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Spencer looks up at the clock and then as Schtrappe takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Spencer smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Spencer has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Schtrappe!
Spencer punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schtrappe tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Schtrappe is in a horrible position here. Spencer smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Spencer lands a couple of good shots and Schtrappe has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Schtrappe covering up well and avoiding damage.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Spencer's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Spencer controlling well, preventing Schtrappe from escaping the position.
Spencer not allowing Schtrappe to control his hands.
Schtrappe takes a big shot to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer wants to control the position but Schtrappe frees himself and scrambles - Spencer manages to regain control in side control.
Schtrappe wants to control but Spencer postures up.
Spencer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Schtrappe keeps working.
Spencer working away.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Spencer working the body and head with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Spencer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Spencer has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Spencer!
Joe Spencer is the new lightweight champion!
Our winner, Joe Spencer, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.