PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hit Man (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bryan Spong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Man
vs
Spong

183 cm
25
176 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

183 cm
25
183 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hit Man!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bryan Spong!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Spong rushes Man and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Man 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.
Man looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Spong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Man.
Man is trying to push Spong away but Spong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Spong blocks an elbow strike from Man.
Man drops down looking for an ankle pick but Spong pulls his leg out and moves away.

Spong clinches with his opponent.
Man wants to break the clinch but can't.
Spong digs a right hand into Man's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Man's gas tank.
Spong landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knees to the body from Spong.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spong putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Man in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Spong.
Man takes a knee to the side of the body.
Spong lands a nice knee to the body.
Spong crunches a lovely knee into Man's ribcage.
Spong crunches a lovely knee into Man's ribcage.
Man takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Spong is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Man takes a knee to the side of the body.
Man can't break the clinch.
Spong landing knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Spong.
Spong landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knees in the clinch landing for Spong.
Spong lands a knee to the body.
Spong unloads a knee to the mid-section. Man lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Spong lands a good knee to the midsection. Man won't want to take too many of those.
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!
Man jumps guard but Spong stands there with Man around his waist. Man gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Spong landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Spong jumps guard and drags Man to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Man gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Spong clinches up against the cage.
Spong unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Man takes a knee to the side of the body.

Spong gets control of Man's arms and successfully pulls guard. Spong will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Man looking to pass the guard.
Man won't allow Spong to get back to his feet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Man wants to stand but Spong has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Hit Man wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Spong instigates a clinch.
Spong slowing the pace effectively.
A hook to the body from Spong.
Spong crunches a lovely knee into Man's ribcage.
Spong lands a nice knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Spong.
Man tries to pull guard but Spong forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hit Man. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spong unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Man on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Spong lands a knee to the body.
Spong using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Man managing to block the knees to the body from Spong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Man can't break the clinch.
Spong throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Man wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Spong crunches a lovely knee into Man's ribcage.
Spong lands a body shot.
Spong unloads a knee to the mid-section. Man lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Man jumps guard but Spong turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Spong cracks Man with a nice body shot.
A left hand lands to the body for Spong.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Spong successfully pulls guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Spong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Spong seems keen to control Man's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Spong dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Spong moves into the clinch successfully.
Spong putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Man in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Spong pulls guard successfully.
Spong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Man manages to get himself to full guard.
Spong tries to free his leg and advance position but Man is retaining full guard.

Spong gets to his feet - Man follows without any prompting.

Spong moves into the clinch.
Spong landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Spong utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spong unloads a knee to the mid-section. Man lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong unloads a knee to the mid-section. Man lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Spong pulls guard successfully.
Man wants to control from the top but Spong keeps moving.
Spong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Spong keeping full guard, as Man tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Hit Man wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Spong is looking to clinch but Man is avoiding it.
Man misses the shot to the body.

Spong moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spong is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Spong lands a good knee to the midsection. Man won't want to take too many of those.
Man takes a knee to the side of the body.
Spong presses Man against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Spong unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Spong as Man tries to tie him up.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Spong obliges.
Spong presses Man against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Spong unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A right hook to the body lands for Spong.
Spong tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Man avoids it.
Man blocks a body shot from Spong.
Spong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spong is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Man to keep the fight standing.
Man managing to block the knees to the body from Spong.
Spong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Spong tries to land knees in the clinch but Man avoids the damage to the body.
Spong fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Spong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Man is defending well for now.
Man jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Spong walks away with a smile on his face. Man gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Spong darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Spong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Man paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Spong gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Spong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Man is defending well for now.
Man is looking to break free of the clinch but Spong has double underhooks.
Man has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Spong after a bit of a struggle.
Spong putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Man in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spong crunches a lovely knee into Man's ribcage.
Man has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Spong after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hit Man. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spong pushes Man back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Man can't find room to land a body shot as Spong controls the action.
Man has had enough of the clinch but Spong keeps him there for the moment.
Spong landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Spong scores a nice knee to the body.
Spong lands a good knee to the midsection. Man won't want to take too many of those.
Man can't break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Man blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Spong missing with knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Man misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Spong.
A right hook to the body lands for Spong.
Spong utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Spong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Man's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Man pushes Spong up against the cage in a clinch.
Man takes a knee to the side of the body.
Spong scores a nice knee to the body.
Spong lands a body punch in the clinch.
Spong utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Spong.
Spong scores a nice knee to the body.
Spong putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Man in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Spong lands a body punch in the clinch.
Spong content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spong lands a knee to the body.
Man has a couple of punches blocked by Spong.
Spong landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong tries to land knees in the clinch but Man avoids the damage to the body.
Spong is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Man blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
With the fighters up against the cage, Man throws an elbow but misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Spong obliges.
Man is looking to take this one to the mat.
Spong putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Man in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Spong.
Spong scores a nice knee to the body.
Spong utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Man blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nice body punch from Spong - that landed with a thud.
Spong using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spong manages to pull guard.
Man trying to control the position from guard on top but Spong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Hit Man.
Spong tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Man manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Spong closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Spong.
Spong lands a good knee to the midsection. Man won't want to take too many of those.
Man looking to slow down the pace here.
Spong scores a nice knee to the body.

Spong gets control of Man's arms and successfully pulls guard. Spong will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Man has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Spong is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Man wants to pass the guard but Spong is keeping the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Man gets a clinch.

Spong has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Man uses from the top position.
Man wants to pass the guard but Spong is keeping the position.
Man trying to stand up but can't free himself from Spong's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Hit Man just wasn't active enough.
Spong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Spong gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bryan Spong seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Spong lands a good knee to the midsection. Man won't want to take too many of those.
Man is trying to pull guard but Spong turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Spong utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Man manages to pull guard.
Man wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Man wants to stand but Spong is controlling the position.
Hit Man has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bryan Spong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Man escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Spong gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bryan Spong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Spong 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bryan Spong!
A very excited looking Bryan Spong rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.