PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stark comes to the cage accompanied by Cmon Feel The Noise. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Stark
vs
Smith

191 cm
23
213 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
212 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin

White Gorilla Nutrition
TFP Graphics

CROWN
Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thomas Stark!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Smith!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Stark pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Smith lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stark has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stark and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Stark has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Stark is controlling the position.
Stark misses with a knee to the head.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Stark.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Stark looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Smith is trying to break free.
Stark missing with knees to the body.
Smith on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stark tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Smith breaks from the clinch.

Stark clinches up with Smith and pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Stark.
Smith blocking some punches.
Stark misses with the head strike.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stark moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stark goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Smith blocks a head kick by Stark.
John Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Smith lands a head kick that stumbles Stark and the fighters go to the mat.

It looks like Thomas Stark has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stark manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Smith manages to get himself to full guard.
Smith wants to stand and escape but Stark is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Smith wants to improve his position but instead Stark has moved into half guard.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.
Smith is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Smith wants to improve his position but Stark is controlling well.
Stark takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Smith moves into full guard.
Stark won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stark stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Stark is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Stark tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stark moves away.
Smith throws a low kick but Stark avoids it.
Smith tries a low kick but Stark avoids it.
Smith avoids the head kick by Stark.
A lazy left from Stark finds it's target.

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.
Stark uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smith.
Stark avoids the head kick by Smith.
Smith dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stark. That did some damage!
Smith is looking to score with low kicks.
A head kick by Smith misses
letting Stark counter with a right hand.
Smith is looking to chop away at Stark's legs.

Stark clinches up with Smith and pushes him back against the cage.
Smith blocks the elbow strike.
Stark keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stark landing knees to the head.
Stark connects with a knee to the head.
A short uppercut from Stark.
Stark landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Smith looks gassed!
Stark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Stark looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Stark is controlling the position.
Stark crunches a lovely knee into Smith's ribcage.
Stark misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smith.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Stark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!
Stark scores a nice knee to the body.
A body shot lands from Stark.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Stark lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Stark lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Stark crunches a lovely knee into Smith's ribcage.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!
Stark digs a right hand underneath Smith's ribcage. Smith let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Stark scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stark works on Smith's body with a couple of short punches.
Stark is leaning against Smith and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stark lands a nice uppercut.
Stark tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Stark pushes Smith back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stark lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stark looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Stark landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stark.
Stark with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Stark lands an elbow inside.
Stark scores with a shoulder strike.
Stark lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Stark.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Stark misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Stark won't allow it.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Stark tries to land knees in the clinch but Smith avoids the damage to the body.
Stark landing knees to the body.
Stark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A body shot lands from Stark.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stark lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Stark lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stark working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stark tries to land knees in the clinch but Smith avoids the damage to the body.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Stark tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Stark won't allow it.
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Stark with a knee to the head.
Stark lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short right from Stark on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stark.
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stark lands a left hand.
A nice right hand lands inside from Stark.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Stark.
Stark landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Stark scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stark.
Stark lands a nice knee to the body.
Stark lands a left hand.
Stark lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Stark using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A short right from Stark on the inside.
Stark lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Stark unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stark tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stark comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Stark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Stark.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Stark misses with a short punch on the inside.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stark throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Stark on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smith. Smith obviously looking to wear him down.
Stark throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smith stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.

Stark moves into the clinch.
Stark landing knees to the body.
Stark trying to land knees to the body.
Stark throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick
and Stark counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Smith is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Smith moves out of range of the body kick.
Smith throws a quick inside leg kick.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Stark is just out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stark wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Stark avoids the head kick by Smith.
Smith throws a head kick that Stark semi-blocks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Stark dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Stark's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A cross from Stark lands.
Smith is looking to score with low kicks.
Smith takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Stark moves out of range as Smith strikes.
A head kick misses from Stark.
Stark tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith throws a leg kick but Stark checks it.
John Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Stark clinches with his opponent.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Stark scores a nice knee to the body.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Stark, against the cage.
The referee calls for Smith to work.
Stark unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith avoiding damage as Stark throws knees to the body.
Stark tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Stark back against the cage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Smith in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Stark lands a nice knee to the body.
Stark lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Stark.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Stark.
Stark misses with an elbow strike.
Smith is trying to break free.
Knees to the body from Stark.
Stark makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Stark looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Stark lands with a left to the head.
Stark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stark landing knees to the head.
Stark tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
Stark misses with a knee to the head.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Stark landing knees to the head.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stark keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stark swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stark missing with knees to the body.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Stark slips under a jab from Smith.
Smith throws a leg kick

and Stark holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Stark fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith avoids the head kick by Stark.

Smith tries to keep at a distance but Stark has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Stark swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short uppercut from Smith.
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stark misses with an elbow over the top.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Stark, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith dodges an elbow strike from Stark.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Stark misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
John Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stark fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith misses with a leg kick
and Stark counters with a head kick.
Stark throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Smith with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stark blocks a head kick by Smith.
Stark checks a leg kick nicely.
Smith throws a leg kick
and Smith takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Smith throws a head kick but Stark moves out of range.
Stark checks a low kick from Smith.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a high kick!
Nice uppercut there from Stark.
Stark throws out a powerful jab.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith misses with a hook.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith catches Stark with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Stark tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Smith throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A good leg kick by Stark.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Stark saw that one coming.
A low kick from Smith misses

and Stark counters by clinching up.
Stark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Stark tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Smith breaks the clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Stark checks a low kick from Smith.
Smith cracks Stark with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Stark.
Stark jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith throws a low kick but Stark avoids it.
Stark ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Stark moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Stark tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Stark keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Smith throws a quick inside leg kick.
Smith throws a leg kick

and Stark counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stark.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Smith lands a right hand.
Stark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to maintain a safe position but Stark gets an underhook and turns Smith into the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Stark throws an elbow but misses.
Stark lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Smith or not.
Stark lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stark connects with a knee to the head.
Stark unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stark lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Thomas Stark has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Stark with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Stark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith avoiding damage as Stark throws knees to the body.
Stark misses with a knee strike.
Smith wants to break free but Stark has control.
With the fighters up against the cage, Stark throws an elbow but misses.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Stark landing knees to the head.
Stark lands a right hand.
Smith wants to break free but Stark has control.
Smith is trying to break free.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Stark bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smith takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Stark closes the distance and clinches.
Smith blocks an elbow strike.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stark scores a nice knee to the body.
Stark working aggressively here.
Stark lands a nice knee to the body.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Stark.
Smith on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stark landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Stark.
Smith is looking to control Stark's arms but Stark gets an underhook and turns him. Now Smith has his back to the cage.
Stark tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Stark landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stark wants to clinch.
Stark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Smith looks to land a combination but Stark avoids it well.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Stark throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Stark bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Left hook, right uppercut from Smith.
Smith throws a push kick but Stark slaps the foot to one side.
Smith misses with a double jab.
Smith thows a leg kick but Stark checks it
and Stark counters with a stiff right hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stark.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stark sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Stark closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stark.
Stark lands an elbow inside that Smith shrugs off.
Stark creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Smith's defenses.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Stark scores with a knee to the head.
Stark softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Stark lands a damaging elbow.
Stark trying to land knees to the body.
Smith wants to stall.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
A shot in the inside from Stark.
Nice elbow from Stark.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Stark won't allow it.
Stark keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Stark connects with a knee to the head.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Stark connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Stark scores with a knee to the head.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Stark dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Stark's cut.
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.

Stark instigates a clinch.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith is trying to break free.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Stark struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Stark lands a knee to the body.
Stark lands with a right to the head.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stark tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.

Stark instigates a clinch.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stark unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.

Stark rushes Smith and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Stark landing knees to the body.
Stark lands with a light punch inside.
Stark tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Stark misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Stark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stark lands a damaging elbow.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Smith throws a leg kick
and Stark counters with a thumping low kick.
Stark throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Smith's head.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick
and Stark counters with a nice body kick.

Stark has Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Stark fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smith is trying to break free.
Stark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Stark is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Stark lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Stark.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stark connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stark connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Smith prevents a body shot from Stark.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith wants to break free but Stark has control.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Stark is controlling the position.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stark tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Stark misses with a hook from the clinch.
Good body shot from Stark.
Nice body punch from Smith - that landed with a thud.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Stark is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stark tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Smith throws a lazy head kick

and Stark holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stark works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stark lands an elbow just above Smith 's eye.
Stark goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Stark is controlling the position.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Stark lands an elbow inside that Smith shrugs off.
Stark missing with knees to the body.
Stark tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Stark fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four 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.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Stark tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Stark won't allow it.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smith is trying to break free.
Stark landing knees to the head.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stark.
Stark landing knees to the head.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Stark won't allow it.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Stark lands with a left to the head.
Stark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Stark connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Smith on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Stark lands a nice knee to the body.
Stark lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Stark tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Stark tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Stark wants to clinch.
Smith thows a leg kick but Stark checks it
and Stark counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Smith looks to land a combination but Stark avoids it well.
Smith throws a leg kick
and Stark counters with a big head kick but Smith shrugs it off.
No joy there for Smith, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stark. That did some damage!
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stark getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Smith scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Smith avoids the head kick by Stark.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Stark is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stark lands with a kick to the ribs.

Stark has managed to clinch.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!
Smith wants to break free but Stark has control.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
Stark misses with a knee to the head.
Stark misses with a knee to the head.
Stark lands a damaging elbow.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stark takes the fight into the clinch.
Stark with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Stark lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stark is working Smith over against the cage.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stark throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Stark checks a leg kick.
Stark is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith avoids the head kick by Stark.
Smith throws a leg kick
and Stark counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Stark connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Stark tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Stark scores with a shot to the body.
Stark smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A punch combination from Stark misses.
Stark chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Smith can pounce on him.
Stark has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stark there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stark wants to clinch.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Smith thows a leg kick but Stark checks it

and Stark counters by moving into the clinch.
Knees to the body from Stark.
Stark with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Stark keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stark lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stark lands a right hand.
Stark throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Stark lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Stark lands a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stark missing with knees to the body.
Stark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Stark keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stark crunches a lovely knee into Smith's ribcage.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stark tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Stark misses with a knee strike.
Stark tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A right hand to the body from Smith.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
A low kick from Smith is predictable there
and Stark counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Stark fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Smith, pushing him back against the cage.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Stark tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith can't break the clinch.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Stark keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Smith can't break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Good body shot from Smith.
Stark swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Stark clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Stark's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stark tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stark is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Stark slips under a jab from Smith.
Stark checks a leg kick nicely.
Stark throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Stark gets a clinch.
Stark lands an elbow just above Smith 's eye.
Stark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stark.
Stark connects with a knee to the head.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Stark connects with a knee to the head.
Stark throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Smith lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stark has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stark and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Stark tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Stark is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.

Stark clinches up with Smith and pushes him back against the cage.
Smith presses Stark against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Smith is trying to break free.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stark is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Stark throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith throws a quick inside leg kick.
Stark on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smith. Smith obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a nice leg kick that just misses Stark's sensitive parts.
Smith moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Smith is looking to slow Stark down with leg kicks.
A nice inside leg kick there by Smith. That's going to slow Stark down.
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!
Smith scores with a hook.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smith, right into the meat.
Stark takes a kick to the side of the head.
Stark is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Smith feints and then cracks Stark's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stark down.
Smith explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Good leg kick by Smith there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Smith tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Smith throws a series of punches but Stark avoids them all with ease.
Stark tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith throws a series of punches but Stark avoids them all with ease.
Smith misses the body punch
and Stark counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Stark.
Smith thows a leg kick but Stark checks it
and Stark counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Smith throws a head kick that misses
and Stark counters with a solid body kick.
Stark throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Smith blocks a head kick by Stark.
Smith throws a left and a right that both miss
and Stark finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Smith misses with a wild combination.
Stark wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Stark tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stark takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four 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 showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
Smith walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Stark is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Stark darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stark lands with a light punch inside.
Stark connects with a knee to the head.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Smith has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Stark.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A swing and a miss from Smith.
Smith blocks a head kick by Stark.
Smith moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Stark tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith throws a leg kick

and Stark moves into the clinch.
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stark digs a right hand into Smith's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Smith's gas tank.
Stark lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Stark lands with a right to the head.
Stark landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Stark connects with a knee to the head.
Stark using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Stark lands a left hand.
Stark lands a nice knee to the body.
Stark scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smith can't break the clinch.
Stark prevents a body shot from Smith.
Stark makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Stark lands a nice knee to the body.
Still in the clinch, Stark scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Stark.
Stark using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stark lands an uppercut.
Stark unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A right hook to the body lands for Stark.
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith blocks an elbow strike from Stark.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Stark scores a nice knee to the body.
Stark digs a right hand into Smith's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Smith's gas tank.
Stark lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Stark misses with a knee strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Stark throws an elbow but misses.
Stark keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stark with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stark thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smith tries to work over Stark's front leg with a kick but Stark checks it.
Stark throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Stark misses with a leg kick
and Smith finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Smith chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stark on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smith. Smith obviously looking to wear him down.
Smith throws a quick inside leg kick.
Stark tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
A head kick by Smith misses
and Stark counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Smith is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Smith lands a body shot.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stark is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Smith finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Good work by Stark as he checks the leg kick.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Stark takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Smith looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Stark clinches but Smith breaks the clinch
and Smith counters with a one-two to the body.
Stark scores with a nice strike.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stark is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Stark gets a clinch.
Smith taking a breather.
Smith is trying to break free.
Stark creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Smith's defenses.
Stark lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Stark misses with a knee strike.
A knee to the head by Stark.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick by Smith misses

and Stark holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stark lands a nice knee to the body.
Stark lands a nice elbow.
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stark lands a right hand.
Smith taking a breather.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stark throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Smith's head.
Smith keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Stark moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stark misses with a looping right.
Stark tries to clinch
and Smith counters with a nice body kick.
Stark is looking to chop away at Smith's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but John Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Thomas Stark's cut.
That's time! Stark's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Smith throws a head kick that half lands.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith throws a leg kick but Stark checks it.
Stark doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Stark checks the leg kick nicely there.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick

and Stark moves into the clinch.
Stark landing knees to the head.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stark tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A head kick misses from Stark.
A low kick from Smith misses
and Stark counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Stark doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Smith scores with a decent looking hook.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stark.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith misses with the body kick
and Stark counters with a leg kick.
Smith throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Smith misses with a leg kick
and Stark counters with a head kick.
Smith connects with a solid leg kick.
Stark throws a sloppy head kick
and Smith counters with a thumping low kick.
A good leg kick by Smith.
Smith buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smith lands a jab to Stark's midsection.
Stark looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Smith throws a leg kick but Stark checks it.
Stark checks a leg kick.
Smith staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to land a front kick but Stark steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smith throws a leg kick

and Stark counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stark.
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Stark uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stark looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stark.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Smith throws a leg kick that is checked

and Stark moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Stark looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Smith blocking some punches.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Stark won't allow it.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stark misses with a knee to the head.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Stark lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stark lands an elbow just above Smith 's eye.
Smith blocking some punches.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stark.
Stark lands an elbow inside that Smith shrugs off.
Smith takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stark with a knee to the head.
Stark lands an elbow just above Smith 's eye.
Stark keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stark with a knee to the head.
Stark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark with a knee to the head.
Smith can't break the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Stark.
Stark lands a left hand.
Stark tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Stark misses with a knee strike.

Smith manages to break the clinch.

Stark gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith takes an elbow to the forehead.
Smith is trying to maintain a safe position but Stark gets an underhook and turns Smith into the cage.
Stark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stark misses with a knee to the head.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Stark struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Stark misses with a knee to the head.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stark misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Stark won't allow it.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Stark missing with knees to the body.
Stark prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stark looks for the body kick but Smith saw that one coming.
Smith throws a leg kick
and Stark counters with a straight right hand.
Stark misses with a head kick.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smith misses with a low kick.
Stark fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smith scores with a one two! Stark had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Stark takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Good work by Stark as he checks the leg kick.
Smith lands a nice leg kick that just misses Stark's sensitive parts.
Stark throws a head kick that misses.
Smith throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stark.
The fighters circle momentarily. Stark darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Stark misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smith, right into the meat.
Smith throws the kick towards the body but Stark avoids it.
Stark checks the leg kick.
Stark throws a head kick that misses.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Smith steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Stark. That one must have hurt.
Smith misses with a leg kick
and Stark counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Stark moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith throws out a leg kick but Stark moves out of range and Smith only half commits.
Stark tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith throws a chopping leg kick but Stark manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Smith chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stark.
Stark has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Smith avoids the head kick by Stark.
Stark lands a nice leg kick that just misses Smith's sensitive parts.
Stark wants to clinch.
Stark throws a head kick that misses
and Smith counters with an inside leg kick.
Stark wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stark connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stark is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stark misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stark checks a leg kick.
Stark on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smith. Smith obviously looking to wear him down.
Smith misses with a hook to the body

and Stark counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stark.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Stark lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Smith can't break the clinch.
Stark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stark is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith misses with a kick to the body
and Stark counters with a leg kick.
Stark misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Smith misses with the body kick
and Stark counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Stark lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
John Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Stark lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Smith misses with a body punch.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stark backwards.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stark as Smith tries to tie him up.
Stark throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Stark showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Stark 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Thomas Stark!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Thomas Stark!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Thomas Stark!

Thomas Stark wins by unanimous decision!
Thomas Stark retains his light heavyweight title!