PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kelvin Spong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gilberto Chamba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Spong
vs
Chamba

177 cm
22
180 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

165 cm
20
170 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

****160Q Energy for $150****
SP Ultimate Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kelvin Spong!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gilberto Chamba!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spong misses with a hook.
Spong tries to clinch but Chamba moves out of range.
Spong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Chamba.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Chamba has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Spong misses with a jab, cross combination.
Spong fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Chamba ducks under a wild hook from Spong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chamba.
Chamba dives in for a single leg takedown but Spong sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Kelvin Spong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gilberto Chamba.
Spong fails in his attempt to clinch.
And Chamba tries to counter it with a takedown but Spong pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Spong is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Spong gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Chamba backwards.
I was talking to Spong's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Chamba 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. Chamba gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Chamba shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spong defends it nicely.
Chamba on the wrong end of a nice hook.

It looks like Gilberto Chamba has been cut.

Spong fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Chamba sprawls well initially but Spong persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Chamba trying to control but Spong postures up.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Chamba moves into full guard.
Spong lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spong throws a big right hand that misses.
Chamba working a defensive guard here.

Chamba is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Chamba is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Chamba pulls Spong in close to his closed guard and prevents Spong from doing any damage or advancing position.
Spong lands a couple of elbows.
Spong has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chamba looking for a guillotine here but Spong defends easily.
Spong with a flurry of punches that miss.

Spong avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Spong works over Chamba with some ground and pound from guard.
Spong throwing strikes but missing.
Chamba utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Spong in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Spong throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chamba looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Spong has picked Chamba up and slammed him! Chamba can't keep hold of the triangle and Spong manages to pass to side control!
Chamba tries to improve position but can't.
Spong in side control lands a decent elbow.
Chamba is looking for a sweep.
Spong is looking to take a break and control but Chamba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Chamba wants to control but Spong postures up.
Chamba is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Spong's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Chamba on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spong tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Spong winds up and cracks Chamba with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kelvin Spong dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gilberto Chamba's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Spong slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Spong is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Chamba fails with a takedown attempt.
Spong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chamba manages to avoid it.
Chamba with the counter takedown but Spong avoids it easily.
Spong throws out a powerful jab.
Spong misses with an uppercut.

Chamba shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Chamba is just content to waste time from the top position. Spong takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chamba looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chamba trying to control but Spong is working from the bottom.
Chamba looking to sit in guard and control but Spong gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Spong working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Chamba's head.

Chamba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spong can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Chamba looking for a sweep. Not yet Chamba, not yet.
Spong will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Spong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Spong won't allow Chamba to sweep him here.
Spong working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Chamba's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chamba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spong can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Chamba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Spong manages to get himself to full guard.

Spong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chamba manages to get himself to full guard.

Chamba working for submissions but it's allowed Spong to get to half guard.
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. Spong connects with a nice short shot to Chamba's temple.
Spong working over Chamba with some ground and pound. Chamba looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Chamba is staying active underneath Spong, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Chamba actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chamba looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Chamba is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Spong pulls his head out easily.
Chamba is pressing down on Spong's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Chamba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spong can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Spong lands a couple of digs.
Spong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Chamba can do to turn this around?
Spong trying to control the position from guard on top but Chamba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Spong landing some decent shots from guard.
Chamba tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chamba is trying to control the position but Spong postures up.
Spong working some strikes from top position.
Spong scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Chamba looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Spong got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chamba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Spong has managed to get both his arms back between Chamba's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kelvin Spong dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gilberto Chamba's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Spong lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Chamba at a distance.
Kelvin Spong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Chamba drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Spong is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Chamba's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Spong gets back to full guard.
Kelvin Spong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spong not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spong tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Chamba is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Spong is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Spong has escaped and now he's on top!

Chamba is looking for a triangle but Spong pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chamba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spong can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Chamba working for a triangle but Spong defends it easily.
Spong trying to control but Chamba is working from the bottom.
Spong landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Spong is working Chamba over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Spong postures up and lands a big shot to Chamba's brow.
Spong is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Spong makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Chamba looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Spong throwing strikes from guard but Chamba blocks nicely.
Spong tries to stand but Chamba is controlling from the bottom.

Chamba looking for a guillotine here but Spong defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spong slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Spong lands a couple of digs.

Chamba has his foot on Spong's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Spong works his way back into a safe position though.
Spong cracks Chamba with a solid left hand.

Chamba has his foot on Spong's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Spong works his way back into a safe position though.
Spong in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Chamba looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Spong scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spong is looking to work some ground and pound but Chamba has wrist control.

Chamba throws his legs up looking for a submission but Spong uses it to pass to side control.
Chamba is looking for a sweep.
Chamba sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Chamba is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Spong pulls his head out easily.
Chamba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Spong is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Chamba is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Spong pulls his head out easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chamba taking some punishment here, with Spong in his half guard.
Spong takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kelvin Spong clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Gilberto Chamba's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Spong displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Chamba.

Spong closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
A body shot lands from Spong.
Chamba using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spong has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Chamba letting Spong take a breather here.
Chamba jumps guard but Spong turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spong makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Spong.
Spong lands a right hand.
Spong will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Chamba up against the ropes.
Spong lands a left hand.

Chamba is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Spong.
Chamba is still on wobbly legs! Can Spong finish him?
Spong lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Spong lands a shoulder strike.
Chamba is looking to break free of the clinch but Spong has double underhooks.
Spong is pushing Chamba up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Spong lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Chamba misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Spong.

Spong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spong paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Chamba misses the shot to the body.

Spong looking to score a takedown here. Chamba is defending well but Spong drives through and ends up in Chamba's guard.
Spong gets to his feet and stands over Chamba, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Chamba felt that one! Spong unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Chamba from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kelvin Spong!
Kelvin Spong retains his welterweight title!
Kelvin Spong really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that ****160Q Energy for $150**** logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.