PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom Donowitz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Donowitz
vs
Spencer

174 cm
25
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

177 cm
35
170 lbs
24 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Donowitz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Spencer!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spencer moves out of range as Donowitz throws a body kick.
Donowitz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spencer manages to avoid it.
Spencer feints the counter takedown.
Spencer misses with a hook.
A punch combination from Spencer misses.
Nice body kick from Donowitz.
Donowitz misses with a wild body shot.
Spencer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Donowitz scores with a punch to the head.
Spencer lands a nice hook to Donowitz's body. Donowitz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spencer misses with a left hand
and Donowitz counters with an outside leg kick.
Donowitz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Spencer is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A slapping leg kick lands for Donowitz.
We've been hearing reports that Donowitz has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Spencer wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Donowitz thuds a left hand into Spencer's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donowitz misses with a looping left.
Donowitz dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Spencer. That did some damage!
Donowitz throws a hook to the side of Spencer's head but Spencer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Donowitz shoots in and bounces Spencer off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Donowitz is working Spencer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Donowitz chips away with some ground and pound.
Spencer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Donowitz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Donowitz throws a big elbow that misses.
Donowitz is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spencer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Donowitz defends well.
Donowitz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Donowitz is working Spencer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Donowitz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Donowitz distracts Spencer with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Donowitz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Donowitz wants to stand but Spencer is controlling his posture from full guard.
Donowitz lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz chips away with some ground and pound.
Donowitz tries to free his leg and advance position but Spencer is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Donowitz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Donowitz lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Donowitz keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Spencer's head.
Donowitz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Donowitz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Spencer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Spencer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Spencer pulls Donowitz in close to his closed guard and prevents Donowitz from doing any damage or advancing position.
Donowitz is in close to Spencer's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Donowitz preventing the sweep.
Donowitz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Donowitz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Donowitz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Donowitz stands up over Spencer, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Donowitz is fighting to break Spencer's control of his arms but Spencer is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Spencer's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Spencer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Donowitz is one step ahead there.
Donowitz lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Donowitz dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Donowitz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Spencer throws a right hand that Donowitz ducks under and follows up with a left that Donowitz also avoids with ease.
Donowitz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Spencer thuds his right hand into Donowitz's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Spencer walks into a left hand.

It looks like Joe Spencer has been cut.
Spencer scores with a jab to the jaw.
Donowitz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Donowitz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spencer can do to turn this around?
Donowitz lands a right hook to the body.
Spencer throws a big shot that misses.
Donowitz quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Donowitz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Spencer.
Spencer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Donowitz.
Donowitz uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Spencer has time to react.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spencer takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Spencer throws a right hand that Donowitz ducks under and follows up with a left that Donowitz also avoids with ease.

Spencer shoots in and bounces Donowitz off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Spencer with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donowitz controlling the position.
Donowitz looking to control.
Donowitz is looking to stand up but Spencer isn't so interested in that idea.
Spencer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Donowitz swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Donowitz uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Donowitz lands a leg kick that knocks Spencer off balance momentarily.
Donowitz throws a good cross that connects.

Spencer closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Donowitz is trying to control but can't.
Spencer slips a nice elbow through Donowitz's hands, connecting with Donowitz's forehead.
Donowitz is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Spencer scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz is not content to let Spencer control the position.
Donowitz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Spencer.
Spencer lands strikes from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Donowitz is looking to escape.
Donowitz wants to stand back up but Spencer manages to pass into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Donowitz tries to escape but Spencer is in control.
Spencer trying to control the position but Donowitz is working away.
Spencer lands some shots froms side control.
Spencer misses with the ground and pound.
Donowitz tries to escape but Spencer is in control.
Donowitz can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz is looking for a sweep.
Donowitz on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Donowitz is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Spencer off and has taken his back!
Donowitz somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Donowitz is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Donowitz gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Donowitz gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Donowitz apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Donowitz misses the shot to the body.
Donowitz thuds his shin into the meat of Spencer's side.
Donowitz throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Spencer makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Spencer's corner calls for a 1-2. Spencer obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Spencer shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Spencer was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
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!
Spencer wants to control but Donowitz is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Donowitz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Donowitz managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Spencer.
Spencer in side control lands a decent elbow.
Spencer misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Donowitz managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Spencer.
Spencer works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Spencer trying to control the action but Donowitz is working from the bottom.
Donowitz is trying to improve his position.
Donowitz wants to control but Spencer postures up.
Spencer working the body and head with strikes.
Spencer working the ground and pound from side control.
Donowitz wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joe Spencer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Joe Spencer's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Donowitz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Spencer cracks Donowitz with a good jab.

Donowitz is rocked!
A swing and a miss from Spencer.
Oh Donowitz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Spencer takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Donowitz seems to have got his legs back now.
Donowitz lands the left hand.
Donowitz throws a low kick but Spencer moves out of range easily.
Donowitz punishes Spencer's body with a nice straight punch.
Spencer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Spencer misses with a two punch combination.
Donowitz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donowitz thows a leg kick but Spencer checks it
letting Spencer counter with a right hand.
The fighters circling - Spencer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice jab there from Donowitz.
Donowitz lands with a kick to the temple. Spencer shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Donowitz misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donowitz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Spencer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Donk. Spencer catches Donowitz right on the button with a cross.
Donowitz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Donowitz is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Spencer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tom Donowitz is winning the standup battle so far.
Donowitz will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Spencer drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Donowitz defends it well.
Donowitz lands a nice looking body shot.
Spencer connects with a good right hand that stumbles Donowitz. Donowitz circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Spencer moves out of range of the body kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Donowitz.
Spencer throws a body punch but Donowitz moves out of range.

Donowitz shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Donowitz with the ground and pound but Spencer uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz throwing strikes but missing.
Donowitz connects with a couple of short punches.
Spencer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Donowitz is one step ahead there.
Spencer wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Donowitz stands up over Spencer, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz is in close to Spencer's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Spencer is controlling Donowitz's posture.
Spencer wants to sweep but no luck.
Spencer is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Donowitz trying to control but Spencer is working from the bottom.
Spencer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Donowitz landing with the ground and pound.
Spencer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Donowitz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Donowitz distracts Spencer with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Spencer controlling the position.
Spencer will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Spencer wants to sweep but no luck.
Donowitz keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Spencer's head.
Donowitz with a nice head shot there.
Donowitz scoring with punches to the head and body.
Donowitz distracts Spencer with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Donowitz chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Donowitz clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Spencer's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Donowitz fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Spencer has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Donowitz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spencer manages to avoid it.
Spencer is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Donowitz. Spencer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spencer lands with a cross.
Donowitz scores with a hook to the body. Spencer takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Donowitz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Donowitz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Spencer sizes up Donowitz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A jab from Spencer does it's job there.
Spencer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Donowitz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Donowitz throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Donowitz misses the jab.
Donowitz throws a push kick but Spencer slaps the foot to one side.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Spencer checks a leg kick.
Spencer changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer shoots in and drives through. Donowitz sprawls well.
Spencer throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Donowitz counters with a body kick that stops Spencer in his tracks momentarily.
A jab from Spencer does it's job there.
Spencer takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Spencer is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Donowitz blocks a jab.
Donowitz misses with a body kick.
Good leg kick by Donowitz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Spencer might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Donowitz misses with a body shot.
Donowitz is looking to wear down Spencer with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Spencer tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Donowitz is able to avoid easily.
Spencer connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Donowitz momentarily.
Spencer misses with a double jab
and Donowitz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Donowitz lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Donowitz.
Donowitz misses with a takedown attempt - Spencer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spencer throws a right hand that misses
letting Donowitz counter with a right hand.
Spencer throws a big shot that misses.
Donowitz buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Donowitz throws a body kick that misses
and Spencer counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Spencer's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Donowitz stuns Spencer with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Donowitz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Spencer.
Donowitz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Spencer.
Spencer doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Donowitz counter with a right hand.
Tom Donowitz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Spencer.
Donowitz misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Donowitz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Donowitz slips a jab and a cross from Spencer.
Donowitz throws the kick towards the body but Spencer avoids it.
Donowitz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Donowitz throws a leg kick which misses Spencer's front leg but catches the back leg as Spencer tries to avoid it.
Donowitz throws a body kick that misses.
Donowitz misses with a hook
and Spencer counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Donowitz lands with a thumping leg kick.
Spencer misses with a looping right.
Donowitz throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Spencer counters with a shoot takedown. Donowitz fights it but they end up in guard.

Donowitz pushes Spencer off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spencer looks to land a combination but Donowitz avoids it well.
Spencer walks into a straight right hand from Donowitz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Donowitz.
Spencer connects with a single shot there.
Donowitz lets loose with a powerful body kick. Spencer will feel that in the morning.
Donowitz takes one to the chin there.
Donowitz stuffs the takedown attempt from Spencer. Spencer gets slowly back to his feet.
Spencer fails with the takedown
and Donowitz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Donowitz is looking to slow Spencer down with leg kicks.
Spencer looks to land a combination but Donowitz avoids it well.
Donowitz throws a leg kick which misses Spencer's front leg but catches the back leg as Spencer tries to avoid it.
Donowitz scores with a hook to the body. Spencer takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A shot to the liver by Donowitz. Beautiful body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Donowitz had his way with Joe Spencer in that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Spencer's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Spencer shoots in for a double leg but Donowitz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Spencer moves away from the strike by Donowitz.
A slow jab from Spencer misses its intended target.
Spencer stuffs the takedown.
A nice side step and Spencer releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Spencer throws a body shot but no joy.
Donowitz goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Donowitz attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Spencer checks a leg kick nicely.

Spencer shoots in and gets a takedown into Donowitz's guard.

Donowitz pushes Spencer off and scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donowitz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Donowitz blocks a jab.
Donowitz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spencer.
Donowitz is looking to counter with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer lands a lovely overhand right.
Donowitz shoots in and drives through. Spencer sprawls well.
Spencer just misses with a punch to the body.
Spencer throws a lazy uppercut
and Donowitz counters with a nice leg kick.
Donowitz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Spencer.
Donk. Spencer catches Donowitz right on the button with a cross.
Donowitz misses the jab.
Spencer ducks right into an uppercut from Donowitz.
Donowitz throws a leg kick that is checked

so Spencer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Donowitz pulls Spencer in close to prevent any damage.
Spencer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tom Donowitz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donowitz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tom Donowitz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spencer with a nice head shot there.
Donowitz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Donowitz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Donowitz trying to control the position.
Donowitz wants to stand and escape but Spencer is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Donowitz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spencer misses with an uppercut
and Donowitz counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Spencer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Donowitz throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Donowitz connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spencer. Spencer circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Spencer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Donowitz.
Donowitz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Joe Spencer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Donowitz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Donowitz scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Donowitz misses the body punch
and Donowitz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Donowitz lands with a thumping leg kick.
Donowitz scores with a shot to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Donowitz.
Spencer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Donowitz throwing a counter right hand but Spencer manages to avoid it.
Spencer is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Donowitz chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Donowitz drives through with a takedown into Spencer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Spencer controlling the position.
Donowitz is working Spencer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Donowitz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Spencer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Donowitz has managed to get both his arms back between Spencer's legs - danger averted.
Donowitz has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Donowitz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Spencer is trying to keep Donowitz in close.
Donowitz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Spencer looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Donowitz passes into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Donowitz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Donowitz has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 William Gold scores the fight 50:45
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Donowitz!