PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Clark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Player (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Clark comes to the cage accompanied by All Fired Up. Player has chosen Kevin Gates feat. August Alsina - I Don't Get Tired as his entrance music. Gary Player 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!

Clark
vs
Player

186 cm
29
180 lbs
23 - 6 - 0

178 cm
35
173 lbs
25 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Reaper Combatwear

Hellbent
Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eddie Clark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Player!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Richard Clark and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clark shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Clark has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Player.
Player looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Player buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Player ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Clark takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Player throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Clark cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Player misses with a series of wild punches.
Clark leaves Player with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
As Player backs away, Clark returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Player throws a body shot but no joy.
Clark looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Player connects with a body shot that sends Clark's belly button to the back.
Player swings away with a body shot that misses
and Clark counters with a straight right hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Clark.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Player throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Player throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Clark uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Player has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donk. Clark catches Player right on the button with a cross.
A thudding body kick lands there by Clark!
Clark throws a jab but it's blocked by Player.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Player, right into the meat.
Gary Player seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Player pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Clark lands a nice shot that snaps Player's head back.
Player throws a sloppy head kick and Clark moves out of range easily.
Clark thinks about countering with a body kick.
Player takes one to the chin there.
Player misses with a low kick.
Clark is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Player throws a leg kick which misses Clark's front leg but catches the back leg as Clark tries to avoid it.
We've been told by Clark's head coaches at Datsik's Dojo that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Good work by Clark as he checks the leg kick.
Player stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Player ducks under a wild hook from Clark.
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!
A big right from Player misses.
Clark on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Clark with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Player tries to score with a low kick but Clark moves his leg out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Player looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Clark wants to sweep here but Player controlling him for the moment.
Player sitting in guard here, content to control.
Clark working a defensive guard here.
Player in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Player postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Clark has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Player has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Clark fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Player.
Clark letting Player take a breather here.
Clark struggles to land a body shot inside as Player controls his hands.
Clark has a couple of punches blocked by Player.
A short right from Clark on the inside.
Clark swings wildly with an uppercut but Player uses good head movement to avoid it.
Player blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Player blocks a body shot from Clark.
Player content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Clark swings wildly with an uppercut but Player uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Player fails to land.
Clark misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Player prevents a body shot from Clark.
Good body shot from Clark.
Clark throws a punch but it's blocked by Player.
Clark struggles to land a body shot inside as Player controls his hands.
Clark lands a shot to the body.
Clark lands a left hand that snaps the head of Player backwards.
Clark lands with a left to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Clark.
Clark misses with a short punch on the inside.
Clark fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
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!
Clark swings wildly with an uppercut but Player uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Clark fails to land.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Clark lands a right hand that snaps the head of Player backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Clark dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A left and a right from Clark both land. Nice combination.
Player connects with a looping right hand.
Player blocks a leg kick.
Player throws a quick inside leg kick.
Player loads up on a big right hand but Clark slips the punch.
Nice uppercut there from Clark.
Player swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Player moves forwards but Clark connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Clark takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Player throws a head kick but Clark moves out of range.
Player looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Player misses with a hook.
Clark throws a right and a left that Player avoids nicely.
Clark throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Eddie Clark is winning the standup battle so far.
Player keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Clark.
Player shoots in looking for a takedown. Clark tries to sprawl out of it but Player keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Clark manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Player can pounce on him.
Clark stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Clark wants it to stay on the feet.
Eddie Clark has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Player.
Player throws a shot from downtown. Clark moves away and avoids it.
Player just misses with a punch to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Player checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Clark throws a hook but Player blocks it.
Player misses the jab.
Eddie Clark is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Player closes this distance looking for a takedown but Clark circles away.
Clark misses with a looping left.
Player checks a leg kick nicely.
Player tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Player sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Player connects with a solid leg kick.

Player dives in and scores a takedown into Clark's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Clark controls Player momentarily but Player frees himself.
Player trying to control the position from guard on top but Clark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Clark is trying to control the position but Player postures up.
Clark is looking to sweep but instead, Player has passed into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Clark tries to roll over but Player keeps him under control.
Nice strikes from Player there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player throws a strike but Clark avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Clark wants to control the position but Player says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Clark has his hands clasped together around Player's back. He's all about the action.
Player is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Clark is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Player trying to control the action but Clark is working from the bottom.
Clark trying to control but Player postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Clark is trying to get back to full guard.
Clark trying to control from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Player checks the leg kick nicely there.
Player throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Clark uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Player.
Clark stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Player.
Player throws a hook but Clark avoids it easily.
Player blocks a leg kick.
Clark fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Player on the side of the head.
Clark misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gary Player will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Clark swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Clark throws a body punch but Player moves out of range.
Player thuds his right hand into Clark's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Clark staying out of range there.
Player getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Player scores with a leg kick.
Clark dodges the punch combination from Player.
Clark smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Player moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Player shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Clark as he jumps to the side.
Player does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Clark jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Clark cracks a nice hook into Player's ribs.
Clark throws a push kick but Player slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Player checks it well.
Player swings widly with a right hand

and Clark counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Clark.
Player swings wildly with an uppercut but Clark uses good head movement to avoid it.
Player fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Clark scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Clark doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Clark lands a hook to the side of the head.
Clark works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Clark goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Clark goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Clark is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Clark throws a punch but it's blocked by Player.
Clark lands with a left to the head.
Clark blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clark misses with a punch to the body.
Clark tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Clark lands a right hand that snaps the head of Player backwards.
Player prevents a body shot from Clark.
Clark working aggressively here.
Player fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Clark lands with a left to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Player works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Player won't allow Clark to sweep him here.
Clark not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Player working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Clark's head.
Clark is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Clark missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clark is looking to stall here but Player recovers full guard.
Player pulls Clark in to control the position.
Clark won't allow Player to sweep him here.
Clark in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Player wants to sweep but no luck.
Clark trying to control but Player is working from the bottom.
Gary Player has got the better of the ground game so far.
Clark postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four 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.
Player is trying to control the position but Clark postures up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Clark wanted to stand there but Player had control of the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Clark displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Player.
Player shoots in for a takedown but Clark shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Eddie Clark has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Player.
Player misses with a low kick.
Player will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Clark tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Player was well out of range. Poor timing from Clark.
Clark throws a big shot that misses.
Clark moves away from the strike by Player.
Clark throws a head kick but Player moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Clark clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Clark lands a jab to the nose.
Clark attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Clark throws a hook to the side of Player's head but Player sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Some bone on bone action there as Clark checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Clark chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Clark walks into a jab.
Player throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Clark sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Clark cracks the inside of Player's front leg.
Clark keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Clark was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Clark moves out of range of the strikes.
Player just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromClark.
Player fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Clark.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clark moves in looking to clinch but Player pushes him off.
Player takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Clark ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Decent striking displayed by Player there.
Player will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark misses with a looping left.
Player changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A leg kick checked by Clark.
Player walks forward, straight into a front kick from Clark.
Player swings for the body but Clark moves out of range.
Good exchange - Clark coming out on top.
Clark connects with a jab.
Clark bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Player's head backwards.
Player throws a low kick but it's checked well by Clark.
Clark fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Player checks it well.
Player is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Clark looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Clark checks a leg kick nicely.
Player fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Player throws a head kick that misses.
Clark is looking to clinch.
Clark throws a series of strikes that have Player backpedaling.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Clark blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player avoids the head kick by Clark.
Clark takes a kick to the side of the head.
Player takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Clark scores with a push kick.
Player tries a head kick but it misses.
Player is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Player on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A thudding body kick lands there by Clark!
Player doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Clark avoids the body shot from Player.
Player ducks under a wild hook from Clark.
Player connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Clark misses with an uppercut.
And Player tries to counter it with a takedown but Clark pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nice body kick from Player.
Clark lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Player backs up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Clark at a distance.
Player feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Clarks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Clark keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Good shot there by Clark.
Player's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Clark connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Player scrambles back to his feet.
Player has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Clark.
Player looks to throw the jab but Clark is out of range.
Clark is looking to counter with a body kick.
Player changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Clark tries to avoid it but Player manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Clark to the ground. Clark escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Clark throws a nice inside leg kick.
Player scores with a sloppy right hand. Clark should have avoided that one.
Clark moves out of range of the body kick.
Player connects with a leg kick. Clark looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Player scores with a punch to the head.
Player throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slow jab from Player misses its intended target.

Clark pushes Player up against the cage in a clinch.
Player blocks a body shot from Clark.
Clark misses with the head strike.
Clark stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Player's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Player.
Clark presses Player against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short right from Clark.
Clark misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Player is looking to break free of the clinch but Clark has double underhooks.
Clark fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Clark lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Player blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Clark had his way with Gary Player in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Player waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Clark.
Player tries to score with a low kick but Clark moves his leg out of the way.
Clark lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Player keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Clark.
Player dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Clark. That did some damage!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Player.
Player clobbers Clark with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Player shoots in for a takedown but Clark shows good takedown defense.
Player feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Clarks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Crunch! Clark slams his shin into Player's torso.
Clark scores with a shot to the body.
Player throws the kick towards the body but Clark avoids it.
Clark was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A looping hook to the body misses from Clark. Player does a little dance to reset his feet.

Player drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Player is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The strikes coming from Player are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Player misses with the ground and pound.
Clark tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Player gets to mount! Clark was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Player is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Clark can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Gary Player has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Clark is looking to improve his position but Player isn't that keen on the idea.
Player can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Clark is looking to escape.
Clark tries to hold on but Player postures up.
Clark can't escape the position.
The referee warns Clark that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player raining down hammerfists from mount.
Eddie Clark is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Player trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Clark sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Player missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Player is trying to control. Clark wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Clark trying to control but Player postures up.
Player missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Player winds up and cracks Clark with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Clark connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Player throws a sloppy head kick and Clark moves out of range easily.
Player looks to land a right hand but Clark moved out of range.
Player on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Clark loads up on a big right hand but Player slips the punch.
Player throws a low kick but Clark moves out of range easily.
Clark was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Player tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Clark has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Player finds it's way round the side to connect with Clark's head.
A left lands for Clark.
Player looks to land a left hand but Clark moved out of range nicely.
Clark swinging wildly here.
Player drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Clark defends it well.
Player will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Clark ducks under a wild hook from Player.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gary Player comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Clark has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 48:47
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie Clark!
Eddie Clark seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.