PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Derek Starkey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Derek Starkey has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Starkey
vs
Miller

166 cm
25
142 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
140 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Derek Starkey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Josh Miller!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Dirk Anderson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller looks to land a right hand but Starkey moved out of range.
Miller throws a big shot that misses.
Miller waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Starkey.
Miller has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Miller misses with a hook. Starkey ducked under it nicely.
Starkey keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Miller.
Miller misses with an uppercut

and Starkey counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Starkey works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Starkey definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Miller is trying to control but can't.
Well, if Starkey 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Miller actively working from the bottom here.
Starkey controlling the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller wants to control but Starkey is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Starkey in particular looking to stall.
Starkey is pressing down on Miller's thigh, looking to free his foot. Miller is holding on for now.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Starkey in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Starkey trying to pass the guard but Miller defending well.

Starkey is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Miller sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Starkey looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Miller is looking to control Starkey's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Miller avoid being mounted?

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Miller throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Miller misses with an uppercut. Starkey saw that one coming.
Sloppy strikes from Miller. Those never looked like landing.
Starkey slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller tries to score a power double leg takedown but Starkey sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Miller somewhat.
Miller goes for a double leg but Starkey avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Starkey continues to drive forward.

Miller ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Miller no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Starkey stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Miller swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Starkey wants to control from the top but Miller keeps moving.
Starkey forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starkey is trying to control the action in half guard but Miller is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Starkey is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Starkey wants to lay and pray for a moment but Miller keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Starkey perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Miller trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Starkey dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fighters circling - Miller throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Miller fails to land the takedown.
Starkey bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Starkey takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Miller misses with a low kick.
Miller just misses with a punch to the body.
Miller jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The fighters circling - Miller throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miller thows a left - swing and a miss!
Miller throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Starkey slips a straight right by Miller.
Miller misses with a hook. Starkey ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Starkey checks a low kick from Miller.
Miller throws a hook to the side of Starkey's head but Starkey sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Miller misses with an uppercut. Starkey saw that one coming.
Josh Miller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miller pivots, looking for a leg kick but Starkey is out of range and Miller settles back down.
Miller throws a low kick but it's checked well by Starkey.
Miller throws a jab when Starkey was well out of range.
Miller throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Starkey sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Miller pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Starkey ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Miller will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Miller throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Starkey sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Starkey checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Starkey keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Miller.
Miller throws the kick towards the body but Starkey avoids it.
Miller misses with an uppercut. Starkey saw that one coming.
Miller throws a lazy right hand but Starkey sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Miller jabs Starkey right on the nose. Starkey blinks but takes it well.
Miller dives in and grabs Starkey's left leg, looking for a takedown. Starkey pushes down on Miller's head and hops out.
Derek Starkey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Miller.
Starkey moves out of range of the leg kick from Miller.
Miller throws a hook but Starkey avoids it easily.
Miller has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Miller throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Starkey steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Miller.
Josh Miller seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Starkey checks a leg kick nicely.
Starkey uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Miller.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starkey checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Miller throws a low kick but Starkey moves out of range easily.
Miller looks to land a combination but Starkey avoids it well.
Miller misses with a hook. Starkey ducked under it nicely.
Miller throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Miller throws a hook but Starkey avoids it easily.
Starkey checks a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Miller.
Starkey moves out of range of the strikes.
Starkey slips under a jab.
Miller shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Miller throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller lands a glancing blow to the side of Starkey's head.
Miller misses with a low kick.
Miller throws the left hand but Starkey avoids the punch easily.
Miller closes the distance and clinches up with Starkey, looking for a takedown. Miller pushes Starkey against the cage but Starkey circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Miller goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Miller misses with a wild body shot.
Starkey checks a low kick from Miller.
Miller throws a chopping leg kick but Starkey manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Miller misses with a series of wild punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Miller misses with a double jab.
Starkey doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Miller showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Miller tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Starkey was well out of range. Poor timing from Miller.
A big right from Miller misses.
Miller fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Starkey is out of range.
A jab from Miller misses.
Sloppy strikes from Miller. Those never looked like landing.
Miller throws a big shot that misses.
Miller throws a leg kick but Starkey sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Miller walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Starkey checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Miller fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Starkey checks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Starkey.
Miller swings widly with a right hand

and Starkey counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Well, if Starkey 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Starkey seems to be working for a kimura but Miller defends the submission attempt.

Starkey is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Miller sees it coming and defends easily.

Miller looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Starkey trying to pass the guard but Miller defending well.
Still in half guard, Starkey seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Miller has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Starkey is working away from the top position though.
Starkey performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Starkey checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starkey blocks a low kick nicely.
Miller jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Miller motions for Starkey to come forward. Miller throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Starkey moves out of range of the strikes.
Miller throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Miller misses with a looping right.
Miller throws the left hand but Starkey avoids the punch easily.
Miller rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Starkey moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Miller throws a chopping leg kick but Starkey manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Miller throws a low kick but Starkey moves out of range easily.
Miller throws a low kick but it's checked well by Starkey.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller misses with a low kick.
A head kick misses from Miller.
Miller looks to score with a jab to the body but Starkey is just out of range.
Miller looks to throw the jab but Starkey is out of range.
Miller swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Starkey defending well as Miller loads up on a big left hand.
Starkey leaves Miller with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Starkey ducks under a wild hook from Miller.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Miller is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Starkey.
Miller misses with an uppercut.
No luck for Miller with that takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Miller comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Miller 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Miller!
Josh Miller decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.