PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michael Cole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Coyote Starrk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cole comes into the arena with I Won't Back Down blaring out of the sound system. Coyote Starrk has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cole
vs
Starrk

175 cm
25
200 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

187 cm
27
193 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Amped Performance
Aspire Clothing

RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Cole!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Coyote Starrk!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Dean Styles and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cole has Starrk up against the cage in a clinch.
Cole is working for takedown but Starrk is calmly controlling the position for now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cole.
Cole lands with a right to the head.
Starrk is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Starrk softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Starrk lands a nice uppercut.
Cole scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Starrk on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cole has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Starrk avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Starrk is struggling to control the position.
Starrk swings wildly with an uppercut but Cole uses good head movement to avoid it.
Starrk misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Starrk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Cole closes the distance and pushes Starrk back into the cage.
Cole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've been hearing reports that Cole has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
The referee calls for Starrk to work.
Cole misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starrk tries to throw a body punch but Cole avoids it by throwing Starrk back against the cage.
Cole keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Starrk's efforts to push away.
Starrk blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Starrk throws a punch but it's blocked by Cole.
Starrk dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Cole has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Starrk avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Cole. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Starrk misses with a hook to the ribs.
Starrk tries to work over Cole's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Good body shot from Starrk.
A head punch on the inside from Cole fails to land.
Starrk misses with a punch on the inside.
Cole goes for a takedown in the clinch but Starrk prevents it.
Starrk is looking to break free of the clinch but Cole has double underhooks.
Cole is struggling to control the position.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Cole.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starrk stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Cole can't find room to land a body shot as Starrk controls the action.
Starrk is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Cole blocks a body shot from Starrk.
Cole is pushing Starrk up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Starrk's elbow.
Starrk prevents a body shot from Cole.
Starrk gets through Cole's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Starrk blocking some punches.
Starrk misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Starrk is pushing Cole up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Starrk misses with a punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Starrk.
Starrk lands a right hand.
A short body shot lands from Cole as the two fighters clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Starrk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Starrk is trying to break the clinch but Cole has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole blocks an uppercut.
Cole softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Starrk lands a left hand.
Cole can't find room to land a body shot as Starrk controls the action.
Cole tries a knee to the head but Starrk blocks it.
Cole misses with a short punch on the inside.
Starrk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Starrk lands a left hand.
Starrk just leaning against Cole, taking a breather.
Cole wants a takedown.
Starrk tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Starrk lands a hook that snaps the head of Cole backwards.
Starrk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Starrk prevents a body shot from Cole.
Cole lands a left hand that snaps the head of Starrk backwards.
Cole trying to control the position but instead, Starrk has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cole into the cage.
Starrk working aggressively here.
Cole pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Starrk's efforts to push away.
Starrk tries to land knees in the clinch but Cole avoids the damage to the body.
Starrk has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Cole seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Starrk can turn it around.
Starrk lands a left hand.
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!

Cole has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Starrk is trying to keep an underhook but Cole manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cole sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Starrk defending well though.
Starrk keeping hold of Cole's head, controlling as best he can.
Starrk gets back to full guard.
Cole loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cole throws a big elbow that misses.
Cole is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Starrk managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Coyote Starrk will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cole fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cole is looking to score with low kicks.
Michael Cole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cole is looking to clinch but Starrk is avoiding it.
Starrk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Starrk raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Cole fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Starrk looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cole swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Cole takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cole misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starrk throws out a loose jab but Cole uses good head movement to avoid it.
Starrk lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cole circles away quickly and effectively.
Cole wants to clinch up but Starrk keeps it at a distance.
Starrk looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starrk throws a head kick but Cole moves out of range.
Cole wants to land a leg kick but Starrk is out of range.
Starrk appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Cole closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Cole works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cole.
Cole blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Starrk's elbow.
Cole is looking to take this one to the mat.
A shot in the inside from Cole.
Starrk looking to stall.
Starrk throws a head punch that misses.

Cole has picked Starrk up - he's going for a ride! Cole dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Cole looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Starrk wants to improve his position but Cole is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Starrk's head.
Cole seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Starrk does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cole thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Starrk's head.
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!
Starrk is not content to let Cole control the position.
Cole throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Starrk is doing well to control the position and prevent Cole from advancing to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Starrk wants to get back to full guard.
Cole looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Starrk with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ground and pound from Cole.
Cole is thwarting Starrk's attempts to control the position.
Cole landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole is nestled in close to Starrk, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Cole thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cole connects with a nice short shot to Starrk's temple.
Cole thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Starrk's head.
Starrk taking some punishment here, with Cole in his half guard.
Starrk wants to control but Cole is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Starrk is trying to get back to full guard.
Cole looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Starrk with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Cole has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Cole with the ground and pound but Starrk uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cole's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Cole works over Starrk with some ground and pound from guard.
Cole lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starrk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cole.
Cole postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cole is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Starrk can do to turn this around?
Cole landing with the ground and pound.
Starrk is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Starrk prevents Cole from improving his position.
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!
Cole is pressing down on Starrk's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cole wants to sweep here but Starrk controlling him for the moment.
Starrk trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Cole dominated that second round.
That's time! Cole's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cole throws a big shot that misses.
Starrk was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Starrk misses with a hook

and Cole counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cole.
Starrk is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Starrk bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cole's guard.

Cole looking to hit a scissor sweep but Starrk is one step ahead there.
Starrk is fighting to break Cole's control of his arms but Cole is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starrk showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starrk preventing the sweep.
Starrk trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cole's guard.
Cole tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Starrk wants to stand but Cole has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Cole is pulling down on Starrk's head. It's preventing any offense from Starrk, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Starrk trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cole connects with a jab.
Starrk uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cole.
Cole throws a body punch but Starrk moves out of range.
Starrk is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Starrk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cole seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Cole smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole digs a good hook to Starrk's body.
Cole keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Starrk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cole is looking to wear down Starrk with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Starrk tries a head kick but it misses.
Coyote Starrk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cole looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cole scores with a shot to the body.
Starrk misses with a head kick.
Starrk pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cole is out of range and Starrk settles back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Coyote Starrk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cole lands a nice shot to the body.
Cole just misses with a punch to the body.
Starrk feints a counter leg kick.
Starrk is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cole.
Cole misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Starrk was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Cole shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Cole is looking to take a break and control but Starrk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice strikes from Cole there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Cole clearly takes that round.
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.

Starrk just misses with a punch to the body.
Cole is looking to counter punch.
Starrk throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cole tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Starrk manages to circle out of the way.
Starrk takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cole cracks Starrk with a right hand to the side of the head.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cole.
Cole throws a body shot but no joy.
Cole is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Starrk.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Starrk! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Cole.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole misses with a body shot.
Starrk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cole misses with a takedown attempt
and Starrk connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Starrk feints and then cracks Cole's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cole down.
Starrk looks to land a combination but Cole avoids it well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cole looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Starrk swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cole ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Starrk moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Starrk, right into the meat.

Cole forces Starrk back against the cage and clinches.
Cole tries to work over Starrk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Starrk has a couple of punches blocked by Cole.
Coyote Starrk seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cole scores with a hook to the body.
Cole throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Starrks head.
Cole wants a takedown.
Cole lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Starrk manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Cole is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Starrk is defending well for now.
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!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cole as Starrk tries to tie him up.
Starrk misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole blocks a body shot from Starrk.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Starrk leaning against his opponent.
Starrk blocking some punches.
Cole has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Starrk is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Cole. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cole lands with a short shot to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Starrk pressing his opponent against the cage.
Starrk throws a head punch that misses.
Cole lands with a left to the head.
Starrk lands with a light punch inside.
Cole softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cole lands with a left to the head.
Cole is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Starrk misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hand to the body from Starrk.
Cole just leaning against Starrk, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cole misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cole lands an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short right from Cole on the inside.
Cole is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cole softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Starrk throws a punch but it's blocked by Cole.
Cole doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Still in the clinch, Cole scores with a nice short uppercut.
Starrk lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Starrk misses with some punches.
Starrk lands with a short shot to the head.
Cole tries to score a body lock takedown but Starrk shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Starrk stalling.
Cole is looking to control Starrk's arms but Starrk gets an underhook and turns him. Now Cole has his back to the cage.
Cole lands a body punch in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Cole had his way with Coyote Starrk in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cole clinches up against the cage.
Cole holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cole lands a body shot.
Starrk wants to stall.
Starrk tries to throw a body punch but Cole avoids it by throwing Starrk back against the cage.
Starrk trying to stall but Cole improves his position.
Cole misses with a punch on the inside.
Starrk throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cole blocks it with crossed arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starrk looking to slow down the pace here.
Cole tries a body shot but Starrk blocks it.
Starrk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cole tries to work over Starrk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cole dodges an elbow strike from Starrk.
Starrk trying to control the position but instead, Cole has worked for underhooks and has pushed Starrk into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Starrk.
Starrk is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Cole is leaning against Starrk and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Starrk takes a shot to the head.
Cole wants to take the fight to the mat but Starrk manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Starrk misses with a punch on the inside.
Cole missing with knees to the body.
Starrk misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cole works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Cole lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Starrk backwards.
Cole presses Starrk against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cole cracks Starrk with a nice body shot.
Cole pushes Starrk back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cole lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cole.
Cole lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Cole.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Starrk managing to block the knees to the body from Cole.
Cole scores with a shoulder strike.
Cole prevents a body shot from Starrk.
Cole throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Starrks head.
Starrk's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Starrk is rocked!
Cole working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Starrk is still on wobbly legs! Can Cole finish him?
Cole lands a body punch.
Cole lands a hook that snaps the head of Starrk backwards.

Cole is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Starrk can't fight it off and eventually Cole manages to take the fight to the floor. Starrk looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cole sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cole's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Cole postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Starrk covers up, he's hurt! Cole keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Cole and the ref steps in to end the fight! Cole can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Michael Cole!
Michael Cole retains his middleweight title!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Michael Cole waved his t-shirt featuring MayheM sportswear's logo in front of the cameras.