PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brennan Abramson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyrell Spong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tyrell Spong will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Abramson
vs
Spong

189 cm
25
211 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
214 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Brennan Abramson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tyrell Spong!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Spong looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
No luck for Abramson with that takedown attempt.

Spong fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Abramson, pushing him back against the cage.
Abramson is trying to maintain a safe position but Spong gets an underhook and turns Abramson into the cage.
Spong tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Spong looking to stall.

Spong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spong shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Abramson sprawls well. Abramson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Spong gets slowly back to his feet.
Abramson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Abramson fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abramson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Spong's guard.
Abramson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Abramson trying to control the position from guard on top but Spong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abramson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Abramson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Spong is trying to keep Abramson in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abramson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Abramson has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brennan Abramson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Spong has closed the distance and engaged Abramson in a clinch.
Spong drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Abramson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Spong is trying to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abramson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Spong moves into range and clinches up with Abramson.
Abramson tries for a takedown but Spong manages to get underhooks.
Abramson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Spong's efforts to push away.

Abramson has picked Spong up - he's going for a ride! Abramson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Spong is concentrating on defense, preventing Abramson from advancing position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spong wants to get back to full guard.

Abramson decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Spong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abramson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A punch combination from Abramson misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abramson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Abramson backs off Spong throws a huge counter combo but Abramson manages to avoid it all.
A head kick misses from Spong.

Spong tries to keep at a distance but Abramson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Abramson prevents the takedown attempt.
Abramson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Spong jumps guard.
Spong preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Spong controls Abramson momentarily but Abramson frees himself.
Spong really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Abramson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

Abramson stands up and waves to Spong to follow him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brennan Abramson dominated that round.
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.

Abramson closes the distance and pushes Spong back into the cage.
Abramson tries to circle away but Spong has him pinned against the cage.

Abramson jumps into guard, dragging Spong to the mat.
Spong wants to control from the top but Abramson keeps moving.
Abramson striking from his own guard.
Spong pushes down on Abramson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abramson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Abramson.

Abramson uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Abramson avoids it really well and circles away.
Abramson throws a right and a left that Spong avoids nicely.
Brennan Abramson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spong darts in looking for a takedown but Abramson gets double underhooks and turns Spong into the cage.
Spong tries to clinch but Abramson is having none of it.
As Spong looks to move away, Abramson throws a big counter combo bu Spong just gets out of the way.

Abramson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Spong's guard.
Brennan Abramson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spong wants to get back to his feet but Abramson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Abramson cracks Spong with a solid left hand.
Abramson chips away with some ground and pound.
Abramson passes Spong's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abramson trying to control from Spong's half guard. Spong has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Abramson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Abramson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Abramson prevents Spong from getting back to his feet.
Spong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've been hearing good reports from Abramson's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Spong has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Abramson has passed into side control.
Spong is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abramson advances to mount.
Abramson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Spong is looking to escape.
Abramson lands a big elbow.
Spong is looking to improve his position but Abramson isn't that keen on the idea.
Spong is still trying to improve position.
Abramson lands a big shot there that rocks Spong but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abramson trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Abramson looking to secure an arm triangle but Spong defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spong is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Abramson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abramson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brennan Abramson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Abramson tries to clinch there but Spong circles away.
Brennan Abramson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Abramson is looking to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Spong looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Spong thuds a left hand into Abramson's body.
Abramson fails with the takedown.
Spong is trying to counter with his kicks.
Abramson tries to clinch there but Spong circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Spong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abramson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Spong as he avoids it easily.
Abramson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Spong circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brennan Abramson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spong shoots in looking for a takedown. Abramson tries to sprawl out of it but Spong keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Abramson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abramson tries to clinch up but Spong circles away and keeps his distance.

Spong has managed to clinch.
Abramson fails to pull guard.
Abramson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Spong.
Abramson is pressed up against the cage. Spong has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Abramson down to the mat. Abramson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Spong leaves Abramson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A head kick from Spong lands but Abramson takes it in his stride.
Abramson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Spong as he jumps to the side.
Tyrell Spong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Spong fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Abramson throws a big counter combination but Spong scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Abramson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Spong lands with a nice body punch.
Spong swats away the attempt to clinch by Abramson.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Spong has Abramson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Abramson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Spong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Spong thows a body kick. Abramson tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Abramson darts in and clinches Spong up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abramson jumps guard but Spong stands there with Abramson around his waist. Abramson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Spong will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Abramson up against the cage.
Abramson tries to pull guard but Spong forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Spong dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Spong lands a body shot.

Spong breaks from the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Abramson or perhaps it was just good defense by Spong, which made it look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spong fails to land the takedown.
Abramson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Spong shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Abramson but Abramson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Spong fails with a takedown attempt.

Abramson instigates a clinch.
Spong wants to break free but Abramson has control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abramson looking for a takedown.
Abramson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Abramson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spong can do to turn this around?
Spong is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Spong keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Abramson's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrell Spong really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Abramson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Spong looking to control.

Abramson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Spong stuffs the takedown.
Abramson misses with a takedown attempt
and Spong makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spong shoots for a double leg takedown but Abramson sprawls well. He's pushed Spong's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Spong fails to land the takedown.
Spong shoots in for a double leg but Abramson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Brennan Abramson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyrell Spong.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abramson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Spong tries to clinch up.
Spong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Abramson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Spong sprawls well initially but Abramson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Spong has hold of Abramson's hands but Abramson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Abramson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Spong controls his leg.

Abramson seems to be looking for submissions.
Abramson wants to pass to mount but Spong is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spong holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Spong is trying to maintain the position but Abramson is very close to passing his half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Abramson decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Spong shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Abramson as he jumps to the side.
Spong fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Abramson tries for a takedown but Spong sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spong lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Spong.
Abramson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Spong avoids it really well and circles away.
Spong is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Abramson tries to clinch up but Spong circles away and keeps his distance.
Abramson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Spong.

Abramson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Spong sprawls well initially but Abramson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Spong is looking to improve his position.
Abramson is taking a breather. Spong says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Spong is controlling Abramson's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spong is refusing to be controlled, as Abramson sits in half guard.
Spong avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Abramson.

Spong looking for a kimura from the bottom but Abramson passes into side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spong is looking to get back to his feet here but Abramson is keeping cool and he's managed to take Spong's back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brennan Abramson had his way with Tyrell Spong in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Abramson fails with the takedown.
Abramson tries to clinch but Spong moves out of range.
As Abramson backs off Spong throws a huge counter combo but Abramson manages to avoid it all.
Abramson goes for a double leg but Spong avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Spong continues to drive forward.
As Abramson backs off Spong throws a huge counter combo but Abramson manages to avoid it all.
Spong shoots in and drives through. Abramson sprawls well.
Abramson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Abramson moves in looking to clinch but Spong pushes him off.

Spong moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abramson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Abramson misses with some punches.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Abramson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Spong is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brennan Abramson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abramson wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abramson breaks the clinch.
Abramson shoots in but no luck this time.
Spong displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Spong tries to clinch up but Abramson circles away and keeps his distance.
Abramson dodges the punch combination from Spong.
Spong darts in looking for a takedown but Abramson gets double underhooks and turns Spong into the cage.
Spong moves in looking to clinch but Abramson pushes him off.
Spong pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Abramson back to the cage. Spong follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Abramson dives in and grabs Spong's left leg, looking for a takedown. Spong pushes down on Abramson's head and hops out.
Spong dives in for a single leg takedown but Abramson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Abramson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Abramson stands up.
Spong stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Spong wants it to stay on the feet.
Spong dives in and grabs Abramson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Abramson pushes down on Spong's head and hops out.
Spong slips a jab and a cross from Abramson.
Spong fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck for Abramson with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spong fails with an attempt to clinch.
Spong throws a quick inside leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Abramson.
Spong tries to clinch up.
Spong fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Spong fails with the takedown.
Abramson fails with an attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Spong wants a takedown but no success here.
Brennan Abramson has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Abramson manages to break the clinch.

Abramson forces Spong back against the cage and clinches.

Spong jumps guard.
Spong is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Spong is working an open guard so Abramson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Abramson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Spong paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Abramson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spong.
Tyrell Spong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brennan Abramson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Abramson moves into range and clinches up with Spong.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Brennan Abramson.
I think Abramson 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brennan Abramson!