PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rickon Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Kirkland has chosen DJ Vadim - The Terrorist as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Stark
vs
Van Kirkland

176 cm
29
166 lbs
19 - 14 - 0

180 cm
36
164 lbs
31 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Rickon Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vladimir Van Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Dillan Fox and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Van Kirkland enables Stark to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Van Kirkland manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Van Kirkland pulls Stark in close to his closed guard and prevents Stark from doing any damage or advancing position.
Stark throws a strike but Van Kirkland rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Stark trying to control the position.
Van Kirkland controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Van Kirkland stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stark swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Kirkland is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark trying to control the position here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stark is on top in guard.

Stark 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Kirkland has his hands on Stark's head, controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stark accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stark looking to sit in guard and control but Van Kirkland gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland wanted to stand there but Stark had control of the position.
Van Kirkland stopping the sweep attempt from Stark.
Stark bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Van Kirkland's guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stark accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Van Kirkland controlling the position.
Van Kirkland trying to control the position.
Stark in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stark looking to sit in guard and control but Van Kirkland gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stark is pulling down on Van Kirkland's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stark is on top in guard.

Van Kirkland keeping moving, preventing Stark from controlling successfully.
Van Kirkland told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Stark lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stark trying to control but Van Kirkland is working from the bottom.
Stark postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark wants to control from the top but Van Kirkland keeps moving.
Van Kirkland is trying to keep Stark in close.
Stark forces his way into half guard.
Stark sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Van Kirkland defending well though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Van Kirkland is controlling Stark's trapped leg to prevent Stark from advancing to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stark missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stark controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickon Stark dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stark keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Van Kirkland.
Rickon Stark is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stark slips under a jab.
Stark takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Stark drives through with a takedown into Van Kirkland's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Van Kirkland is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Van Kirkland utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Van Kirkland is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stark postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Stark looking to sit in guard and control but Van Kirkland gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark wants to sweep but no luck.
Stark is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark keeping full guard, as Van Kirkland tries to pass.
Van Kirkland preventing the sweep.
Stark 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.
Van Kirkland being controlled here momentarily.
Van Kirkland seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Stark is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stark has control of Van Kirkland's left arm, preventing Van Kirkland from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stark has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Van Kirkland has passed into side control.
Van Kirkland working away.
Stark wants to get back to his feet but Van Kirkland drags him back down.
Stark is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Stark's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Stark is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland taking a breather here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stark ducks under a wild hook from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Van Kirkland feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Starks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Stark throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stark fails to land with a series of punches.
A jab from Van Kirkland misses.
Stark fails with a takedown attempt.
Van Kirkland throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stark tries to counter with a takedown but Van Kirkland is quick to defend against it.
Stark tries to bum rush Van Kirkland with a series of wild strikes but Van Kirkland uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Van Kirkland looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Van Kirkland avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stark with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Van Kirkland to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland connects with a right hand. Stark shakes it off.
Van Kirkland connects with a body shot that sends Stark's belly button to the back.
Van Kirkland uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stark misses with the combination.
Van Kirkland fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stark manages to avoid it.
Van Kirkland throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stark throws a combination. Van Kirkland tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Van Kirkland thows a left - swing and a miss!
Van Kirkland thuds his right hand into Stark's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Van Kirkland lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stark is defended easily by Van Kirkland.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickon Stark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stark takes a swing at Van Kirkland's ribcage but misses.
Stark has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stark there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stark misses with the combination.
Nice uppercut lands for Van Kirkland. That snapped Stark's head back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Van Kirkland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Van Kirkland bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Stark's head.
A big left from Van Kirkland misses.
Stark has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland lands a glancing blow to the side of Stark's head.
Van Kirkland slips a jab and a cross from Stark.
Van Kirkland throws a shot from downtown. Stark moves away and avoids it.

Stark gets a takedown into half guard.

Van Kirkland pushes Stark off and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stark avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stark swinging wildly here.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Van Kirkland works the jab nicely.
Van Kirkland throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Jab by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland looks to score with a jab to the body but Stark is just out of range.
Van Kirkland cracks the inside of Stark's front leg.
Stark throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Van Kirkland.
Stark with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stark on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Van Kirkland scores with a jab.
Van Kirkland lands a slapping body shot.
Stark changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van Kirkland tries to avoid it but Stark manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van Kirkland to the ground. Van Kirkland escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Van Kirkland looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Stark shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Van Kirkland defends it nicely.
Van Kirkland lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Stark tries to bum rush Van Kirkland with a series of wild strikes but Van Kirkland uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Van Kirkland misses with a looping right.
Nice takedown defense from Van Kirkland. No joy for Stark on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickon Stark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Kirkland scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland is looking to slow Stark down with leg kicks.
Van Kirkland scores with a jab to the head.
Van Kirkland connects with a body shot that sends Stark's belly button to the back.
Nice takedown defense from Van Kirkland. No joy for Stark on that attempt.
Stark avoids the head kick by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland scores with a three punch combo!
Van Kirkland smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Van Kirkland connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Van Kirkland with a nice cross.
Danga de danga de dang - Stark scores with a four punch combination!
Stark misses with a takedown attempt - Van Kirkland sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stark goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Van Kirkland pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A nice leg kick lands there from Van Kirkland.
Stark tries to bum rush Van Kirkland with a series of wild strikes but Van Kirkland uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Van Kirkland bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stark's head backwards.
Rickon Stark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that half lands.
Vladimir Van Kirkland seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stark misses with a series of wild punches.
Stark misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vladimir Van Kirkland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stark uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Van Kirkland tries to land a leg kick but Stark saw it coming and moves away.
Van Kirkland connects with a body shot.
Van Kirkland misses with a looping right.
Van Kirkland throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stark is looking for a counter combo.
Van Kirkland fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stark manages to avoid it.
Van Kirkland throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Van Kirkland jabs Stark right on the nose. Stark blinks but takes it well.
Stark lands with a nice combination. Van Kirkland backs away looking to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Stark closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Van Kirkland's guard.
Rickon Stark overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stark looking to sit in guard and control but Van Kirkland gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Van Kirkland tries to free his leg and advance position but Stark is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Kirkland is one step ahead there.
Van Kirkland tries to free his leg and advance position but Stark is retaining full guard.
Stark looking to control.
Van Kirkland controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Kirkland being controlled here momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Van Kirkland comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Van Kirkland 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Van Kirkland!
Vladimir Van Kirkland decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.