PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Linkin Portier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Spiteri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spiteri has chosen AC/DC -TNT as his entrance music. Dave Spiteri acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Portier
vs
Spiteri

185 cm
36
186 lbs
30 - 17 - 2

172 cm
31
183 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 17 - 2, fighting out of New York, Linkin Portier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dave Spiteri!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Portier misses with an uppercut. Spiteri saw that one coming.
Good exchange - Portier coming out on top.
Spiteri throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Portier.
Portier is looking for a counter combo.
Spiteri scores with a nice head shot.
Spiteri is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Portier.
Spiteri thuds his shin into the meat of Portier's side.
Nice defenses there by Portier.
Spiteri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Portier sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Portier defending well as Spiteri loads up on a big left hand.
Spiteri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Portier.
Spiteri scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Spiteri clobbers Portier with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Portier slips a jab from Spiteri.
Portier throws a jab when Spiteri was well out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spiteri throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Portier.
Spiteri has his takedown stuffed
and Portier counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Portier lands a nice shot that snaps Spiteri's head back.
Portier misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spiteri misses with a right hand
and Portier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Portier.
Linkin Portier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Portier misses with an attempted mid kick.
Spiteri tries a quick counter leg kick but Portier is wise to it.
Portier swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Spiteri counters with a nice uppercut.
Good shot there by Portier.
Portier cracks the inside of Spiteri's front leg.
Spiteri shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Portier defends it nicely.
Portier throws the left hand but Spiteri avoids the punch easily.
Portier takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Spiteri chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Portier can pounce on him.
A jab from Portier misses.
Portier throws a right and a left that both miss.
Spiteri avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Portier slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spiteri scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Spiteri is looking to take a break and control but Portier is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spiteri tries to score with some ground and pound. Portier controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Spiteri working away.
Portier holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Sloppy strikes there by Spiteri.
Spiteri trying to control the position but Portier is working away.
An elbow from Spiteri crashes against the mat.
Spiteri looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Portier is avoiding damage well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spiteri working the ground and pound from side control.
Spiteri working away.
Spiteri in side control, throwing shots but Portier defends.
Portier tries to bench press Spiteri off him but Spiteri keeps the position.
You can see the frustration on Portier's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Spiteri postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Portier struggling a bit here.
Spiteri is putting a hurting on Portier here, landing some big shots from side control.
Spiteri sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Portier is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Portier is looking to reverse the position.
Spiteri landing a few strikes.
Spiteri trying to control the position but Portier is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier tries to improve position but can't.
Spiteri scores with punches from side control.
Portier parries the strikes from Spiteri easily there. Spiteri is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Portier to escape.
Portier struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spiteri looks up at the clock and then as Portier takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Spiteri smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Portier is looking for a sweep.

Spiteri thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Portier is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Portier is trying to control Spiteri's posture but Spiteri avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Spiteri dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A combination from Portier does no damage.
A big right from Portier misses.
Portier swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Portier throws a low kick but Spiteri moves out of range easily.
Spiteri misses with an uppercut. Portier saw that one coming.
Portier on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Spiteri. Spiteri obviously looking to wear him down.
Portier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jab, jab by Portier - just one landing.
Portier checks a leg kick nicely.
Portier throws a poor cross that misses
and Spiteri counters with a low kick, right behind Portier 's knee.
Portier uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Spiteri.
Spiteri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spiteri lands a nice shot to the body.
Spiteri tries to clinch but Portier moves out of range.
Spiteri throws a hook but Portier avoids it easily.
Spiteri closes the distance and clinches up with Portier, looking for a takedown. Spiteri pushes Portier against the cage but Portier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Portier misses the target.
Portier misses with a head kick.
Portier misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spiteri misses with a left hand
and Portier counters with a straight right hand.
Portier misses with a wild combination.
Spiteri slips a jab from Portier.
A big right from Spiteri misses.
Spiteri takes a swing at Portier's ribcage but misses.
Spiteri scores with a jab to the head.
Linkin Portier is winning the standup battle so far.
Portier tries to land a leg kick but Spiteri saw it coming and moves away.
Portier throws a leg kick but Spiteri sees it coming and moves out of range.
Portier throws a right and a left that both miss.
Spiteri wants to counter with a clinch but Portier pushes him away.
Portier misses with a body shot
letting Spiteri counter with a right hand.
Spiteri misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Spiteri throws a leg kick but Portier moved away.
It looked like Portier wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Portier throws a leg kick but Spiteri sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Portier ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Portier scores with a punch to the head.
Portier bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spiteri takes a swing at Portier's ribcage but misses.
Linkin Portier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
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!
Spiteri looks for the body kick but Portier saw that one coming.
Spiteri throws a body punch but Portier moves out of range.
Portier was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Spiteri falls off balance throwing a combination
and Portier counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A big right from Spiteri misses.
Spiteri dips to his left and cracks Portier with an uppercut!
Spiteri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Portier.
Spiteri changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Spiteri lands a nice shot to the body.
Spiteri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Portier manages to avoid it.
Spiteri slips under a jab.
Portier has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Portier throws a hook but Spiteri avoids it easily.
Spiteri doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Portier throws a jab but it's blocked by Spiteri.
Portier throws a jab but it's blocked by Spiteri.
Spiteri throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spiteri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Portier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Spiteri lands a jab to the head.
Portier pivots, looking for a leg kick but Spiteri is out of range and Portier settles back down.
A combination from Portier does no damage.
Portier keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Spiteri.
Portier moves out of range as Spiteri strikes.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Portier, as that shot connected.
Portier fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Spiteri on the side of the head.
Spiteri moves out of range as Portier strikes.
Spiteri unleashes a big counter combination but Portier bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Portier throws a hook to the side of Spiteri's head but Spiteri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Portier swinging wildly here.
Some wild striking there from Portier.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spiteri throws a looping overhand right but Portier ducks down to avoid it.
Portier connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A big right from Spiteri misses.
Spiteri feints a jab promting Portier to slip. Spiteri then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Portier slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice straight punches there by Spiteri. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Spiteri.
Spiteri throws a front kick aimed at Portier's knee but Portier avoids it well.
Portier works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Portier is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Spiteri misses with a body shot.
Spiteri lands a body shot.
Spiteri lands with a good body shot.
Portier misses with an uppercut
and Spiteri cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Portier slips a jab from Spiteri.
Portier looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Spiteri misses with a hook
and Portier counters with a stiff right hand.
Portier bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Spiteri tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Portier was well out of range. Poor timing from Spiteri.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Spiteri showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Spiteri gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Spiteri misses with a looping left.
Portier takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Portier!
Spiteri keeps the fight on the outside.
Spiteri swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Portier.
Portier misses with an uppercut
and Spiteri makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A left lands for Portier.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Portier checks a leg kick.
Spiteri moves out of range of the strikes.
Spiteri works over Portier's head and body with a nice combination.
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!
Spiteri throws a body shot but no joy.
Spiteri punishes Portier's body with a nice straight punch.
Spiteri tries to move into range but Portier moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Spiteri pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Portier keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Spiteri bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Spiteri feints a counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier throws a shot to the body.
Portier misses with a wild combination.
Spiteri throws a series of punches but Portier moves out of range.
Spiteri takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Spiteri throws a combination. Portier tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Portier misses with a looping right.
Spiteri ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Spiteri throws a low kick but Portier avoids it.
Spiteri connects with a jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Portier.
Spiteri fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Portier keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Spiteri swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Portier misses.
Spiteri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Portier swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Spiteri.
Portier feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Spiteris jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Spiteri misses with a few strikes there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spiteri. Portier does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spiteri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Portier circles away quickly and effectively.
Portier scores with a leg kick.
Spiteri misses with a lunging right hand
and Portier counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Portier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spiteri displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Portier throws out the jab.
Spiteri lands a slapping body shot.
Portier connects with a right hand. Spiteri shakes it off.
Nice defenses there by Spiteri.
Spiteri avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Spiteri looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Spiteri has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Spiteri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Portier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spiteri scores with a one two! Portier had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Portier lands a really nice looking cross but Spiteri seems unphased.
Portier misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Spiteri showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Portier.
Spiteri throws a sloppy body shot
and Portier counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big right from Spiteri misses.
Dave Spiteri is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Portier misses the target.
Portier misses with a series of wild punches.
Portier looks to land a right hand but Spiteri moved out of range.
Spiteri is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Portier is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Spiteri.
Spiteri throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Portier on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Spiteri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Spiteri does it's job there.
Spiteri scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Danga de danga de dang - Spiteri scores with a four punch combination!
Linkin Portier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Portier throws a series of punches but Spiteri avoids them all with ease.
Spiteri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Portier moves away.
Portier wants to slow Spiteri down by chopping away at his legs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Spiteri. That's going to slow Portier down.
Portier scores with a punch to the head.
Spiteri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Portier tries to clinch but Spiteri is having none of it.
Spiteri throws a hook to the side of Portier's head but Portier sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A bone on bone clash there as Spiteri blocks the leg kick.
The fighters circling - Spiteri throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Spiteri connects with a right hand. Portier shakes it off.
Danga de danga de dang - Portier scores with a four punch combination!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dave Spiteri.
Well Spiteri has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dave Spiteri!
After winning the bout, Dave Spiteri thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.