PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shabal Konte (ranked 5698 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Clark (ranked 5685 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Konte
vs
Clark

174 cm
24
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
24
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shabal Konte!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Clark!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Skip Squint and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Konte shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Clark is trying to defend but Konte finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Clark wants to stand back up but Konte manages to pass into side control.
Konte content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clark is trying to control Konte's posture but Konte avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Konte takes a little break here. Clark wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Konte cracks Clark with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Konte working the ground and pound.
Clark is trying to control Konte's posture but Konte avoids it.
Konte taking a breather here.
Clark struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Clark is looking for a sweep.
Konte has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Konte raining down shots from the mount!
Konte looking to control and managing it successfully.

Konte with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Konte with shots to the head and body - Clark looks very uncomfortable down there.
Konte working the ground and pound effectively.
Konte controlling from mount.
Konte 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Konte raining down hammerfists from mount.
Konte sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Konte seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Clark for as long as he can get away with.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Konte wants to finish this one by submission but Clark is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Konte.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Clark throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Konte's head.
Konte doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Clark counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Clark gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Clark's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Konte.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Clark.
Clark looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Clark scores with a spinning back kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Konte looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Clark can do anything to dispel that myth.
Konte is controlling the pace.
Konte working Clark over with strikes.
Clark is trying to get back to full guard.
Konte controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clark stuffs the takedown attempt from Konte. Konte gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shabal Konte. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Clark slips under a jab from Konte.
Konte shoots in for a takedown but Clark shows good takedown defense.

Clark fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Konte, pushing him back against the cage.
Clark displaying some good clinch control by pressing Konte up against the cage.

Clark's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Clark stuffs the takedown attempt from Konte. Konte gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Konte throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Clark displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Konte.
Konte tries to score a power double leg takedown but Clark sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Konte somewhat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A nice inside leg kick there by Clark. That's going to slow Konte down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Clark showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Konte shoots in for a takedown but Clark shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Clark thinks about the counter body kick.
Clark lands with a nice body kick.
Shabal Konte seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Konte.
Clark lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Konte misses with a right hand
and Clark counters with a one-two to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clark keeps Konte at a distance using the push kick.
Konte with a lazy takedown attempt
and Clark counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shabal Konte. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Clark scores with a head kick. Konte tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark lands with a nice body kick.
Good leg kick by Clark there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Clark scoring well with a low kick there.
Clark throws a nice inside leg kick.
Clark throws a head kick that half lands.
Konte on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Clark lands a head kick. Konte smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Clark thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Konte if he has to take too many more of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Konte shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Clark but Clark pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Clark tries a quick counter leg kick but Konte is wise to it.

Clark moves into the clinch successfully.
Konte takes a knee right on the jaw!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Clark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Clark scores with a knee to the head.
Clark scores with a knee to the head.
Konte is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Clark has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Clark scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Clark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Konte blocks it with crossed arms.

Clark manages to break the clinch.
Konte looks for a takedown but Clark sprawls well.
Clark fails in his attempt to clinch.
Konte misses with a takedown attempt - Clark sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Konte fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Konte will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Konte on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A head kick from Clark lands but Konte takes it in his stride.
Clark moves away from the strike by Konte.

Clark moves into the clinch.
Clark utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The referee calls for Clark to work.
Shabal Konte has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Clark with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Clark comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Clark has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight for Joe Clark!
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight for Joe Clark!
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight for Joe Clark!

Joe Clark wins by unanimous decision!