PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cletus Strickland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Spikes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Strickland
vs
Spikes

188 cm
23
215 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cletus Strickland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brandon Spikes!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Anthony Taglia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Strickland tries to keep at a distance but Spikes has taken the fight into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Spikes.

Spikes drags the fight down to the ground.

Strickland drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Spikes dives on top into guard.

Strickland keeping full guard, as Spikes tries to pass.
Spikes stopping the sweep attempt from Strickland.
Strickland being controlled here, momentarily.
Spikes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spikes looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Spikes won't allow Strickland to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spikes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Spikes stands up from Strickland's guard - Spikes perhaps looking for a knockout.
Spikes shoots in but no luck this time.
Strickland displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Spikes.
Brandon Spikes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strickland defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Spikes.
Cletus Strickland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Spikes.
Strickland wants to clinch up but Spikes keeps it at a distance.

Spikes gets a clinch.
Strickland is trying to force a seperation but Spikes has the dominant position.

Strickland successfully pulls guard.
Strickland working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spikes won't allow Strickland to get back to his feet.
Spikes wants to control from the top but Strickland keeps moving.
Strickland has momentary wrist control but Spikes slips an elbow through the middle.

Strickland is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Strickland is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Spikes is defending well for now.
Strickland jumps guard but Spikes turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Strickland is trying to push Spikes away but Spikes has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Strickland fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Strickland goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Strickland is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Spikes is defending well for now.

Spikes ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Spikes no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strickland postures up in Spikes's guard and throws a big left but Spikes blocks it.
Spikes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Strickland is one step ahead there.
Spikes seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Spikes working for a triangle but Strickland defends it easily.
Spikes has Strickland pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Strickland with a nice head shot there.
Strickland is looking to work some ground and pound but Spikes has wrist control.

Strickland drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Spikes dives on top into guard.

Strickland wants to stand but Spikes is controlling the position.
Strickland keeping moving, preventing Spikes from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strickland not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Spikes dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Spikes bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Strickland's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Spikes tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Spikes thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Spikes working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strickland misses with a strike from the bottom.

Spikes has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Spikes dives in and scores a takedown into Strickland's guard.
Strickland is looking to stand back up but Spikes counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Strickland.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strickland is trying to get back to full guard.
Spikes looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Strickland with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Spikes is looking to pass Strickland's guard but actually Strickland recovers to full guard.
Spikes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Strickland has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spikes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Strickland keeping moving, preventing Spikes from controlling successfully.
Spikes's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Spikes preventing the sweep.
Strickland wants to control but Spikes passes easily into half guard.
Strickland wants to control but Spikes is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strickland is refusing to be controlled, as Spikes sits in half guard.
Spikes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Well, if Spikes is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Strickland is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spikes stalling away here and it's allowed Strickland to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Spikes looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Strickland is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Strickland stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Strickland wants it to stay on the feet.
Strickland shoots in for a takedown but Spikes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Spikes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Strickland is fending him off so far but Spikes persists. Nope, Strickland circles away and we're back to standing.
Strickland changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Spikes misses with a takedown attempt - Strickland sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cletus Strickland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Spikes.
Spikes is breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Strickland fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Spikes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Strickland doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Spikes counters with a right hand to the body.

Spikes has Strickland up against the cage in a clinch.

Strickland manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Spikes gets to his feet. Strickland looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Spikes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Strickland tries to avoid it but Spikes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Strickland to the ground. Strickland escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Spikes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Spikes wants it to stay on the feet.
Strickland on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

It looks like Cletus Strickland has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Spikes closes the distance and clinches.
Spikes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Strickland tries to pull guard but Spikes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cletus Strickland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spikes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Strickland to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strickland is trying to pull guard but Spikes turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Strickland fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Spikes avoiding damage as Strickland throws knees to the body.
Strickland tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Spikes's elbow.

Spikes has picked Strickland up - he's going for a ride! Spikes dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Still in half guard, Spikes seems content to control.
Spikes landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Still in half guard, Spikes seems content to control.
Spikes lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Spikes is looking for a kimura but Strickland is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Spikes to get the leverage.

Strickland manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Spikes rushes Strickland and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spikes goes for a takedown attempt but Strickland pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spikes looks for a takedown but Strickland sprawls well.
Cletus Strickland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spikes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Strickland pinned against the cage. Strickland gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Spikes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Strickland shoots in for a takedown but Spikes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Strickland scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Spikes throws Strickland to one side and escapes!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spikes has managed to clinch.

Spikes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Strickland shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Spikes tries to kick Strickland off in order to stand up. Strickland Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Strickland throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Spikes trying to control but Strickland flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Strickland avoiding Spikes 's attempts to control his hands.

Spikes defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Strickland patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Spikes breaks Strickland's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Spikes passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Strickland being controlled for a moment.
Cletus Strickland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brandon Spikes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Strickland wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Spikes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Spikes 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Spikes!