PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rick Showtime (ranked 3108 p4p, 343 weight class) and John Starman (ranked 4404 p4p, 467 weight class). Showtime comes to the cage accompanied by Old Toms Hut. The crowd seem to be enjoying Starman's choice of entrance music: wrestlers. The key to victory for Rick Showtime has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Showtime
vs
Starman

170 cm
43
168 lbs
23 - 40 - 0

178 cm
22
166 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 40 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rick Showtime!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Starman!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Starman manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Showtime on his heels. He'll look to pass Showtime's guard now, I'm sure.
Starman throws a strike but Showtime rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Showtime would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Showtime is looking to work some ground and pound but Starman has wrist control.
Starman has a closed guard, preventing Showtime from standing up.
Showtime trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starman has control of Showtime's left arm, preventing Showtime from doing any damage.
Starman wants to sweep here but Showtime controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starman keeps trying to improve his position.
Starman trying to control the position here.
Showtime engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Starman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

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.
Starman wants to take a breather but Showtime is having none of it.
Starman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Starman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Well, if Starman 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.
Showtime is trying to stand up here but Starman is controlling him well.
Starman trying to control from half guard but Showtime is working away.
Showtime wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Showtime keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Showtime misses with a jab, cross combination.
Showtime throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Starman's waist but Starman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Showtime off to one side.
Starman changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Starman throws out a loose jab but Showtime uses good head movement to avoid it.
Showtime keeps the fight on the outside.
Showtime looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Starman is fending him off so far but Showtime persists. Nope, Starman circles away and we're back to standing.

Starman instigates a clinch.

Starman has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Showtime regains guard immediately.

Showtime pushes Starman off and gets back to his feet.
Showtime misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Starman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Starman closes the distance and clinches.
Starman will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Showtime up against the cage.
Showtime tries to break free but Starman pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Showtime wants to break the clinch but can't.

Showtime breaks the clinch.
Starman connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Showtime tries to bum rush Starman with a series of wild strikes but Starman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Starman changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Starman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Showtime swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Showtime was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Starman closes the distance and clinches up with Showtime, looking for a takedown. Starman pushes Showtime against the cage but Showtime circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Starman shoots in looking for a takedown. Showtime tries to sprawl out of it but Starman keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Showtime manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Showtime seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rick Showtime has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Starman.
The fight stays on the outside here - Starman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Starman will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Showtime goes for a double leg but Starman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Starman continues to drive forward.
Starman drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Showtime defends it well.
Showtime shoots in but no luck this time.
Rick Showtime is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Showtime tries to score with a low kick but Starman moves his leg out of the way.
Showtime shoots for a takedown but Starman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Showtime. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Showtime looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Starman is fending him off so far but Showtime persists. Nope, Starman circles away and we're back to standing.
Starman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Showtime displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Starman.
Showtime misses with a double jab.
No luck for Showtime with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Showtime tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Starman defends well and Showtime ends up having to push Starman into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Showtime connects with a body shot.

Showtime tries to keep at a distance but Starman has taken the fight into the clinch.
Starman changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Showtime fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starman throws a hook but Showtime avoids it easily.

Starman gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Starman has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Showtime is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Showtime wants to break the clinch but can't.

Showtime's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Starman gets a double leg takedown into Showtime's guard.
Starman looking to sit in guard and control but Showtime gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Showtime stands and steps away. Starman gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Some wild striking there from Showtime.
Starman drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Showtime defends it well.
Showtime lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Showtime throws a right and a left that Starman avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starman is looking to clinch but Showtime is avoiding it.
Showtime throws a nice looking combination but Starman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Showtime slips a straight right by Starman.

Starman moves into the clinch successfully.
Starman has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Showtime after a bit of a struggle.
Starman tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Showtime stops a takedown attempt from Starman.
Starman is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Showtime pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Starman can't get the takedown.
Showtime is working Starman over against the cage.
Starman drops down looking for an ankle pick but Showtime pulls his leg out and moves away.
Showtime's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Showtime duly obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Showtime swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Starman counters with a nice double leg into guard.
John Starman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Showtime not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Starman preventing the sweep.
Starman looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Starman scoring with some ground and pound.
Starman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Showtime is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Starman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starman chips away with some ground and pound.
Showtime is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Starman is controlling him.
Starman sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Showtime enables Starman to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Showtime manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Starman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Starman lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Starman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Starman throws a big right hand that misses.
Starman passes Showtime's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Starman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Showtime's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Showtime misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Showtime throws a series of punches but Starman moves out of range.

Starman closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Starman lands in his opponent's guard.
Starman throws a big elbow that misses.
Showtime looking for a sweep. Not yet Showtime, not yet.
Starman looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Starman is working Showtime over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Starman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starman throws an elbow that misses. Showtime uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Starman's guard. Nice move by Showtime!

Showtime stands and steps away. Starman gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starman tries to clinch there but Showtime circles away.

Showtime gets the takedown into side control.
Starman is being controlled here.
Showtime seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Starman for as long as he can get away with.
Starman is looking to regain half guard here but Showtime keeps moving and retains side control.
Starman struggling a bit here.
Showtime controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Showtime decides to stand back up.
Showtime throws a right hand that Starman ducks under and follows up with a left that Starman also avoids with ease.
Showtime misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Showtime tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A combination from Showtime does no damage.
Starman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Showtime as he jumps to the side.
Showtime lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Showtime shoots for a double leg takedown but Starman sprawls well. He's pushed Showtime's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Showtime jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Showtime shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Starman defends it nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Starman looking to score a takedown here. Showtime is defending well but Starman drives through and ends up in Showtime's guard.

Showtime has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Starman has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Starman wants a takedown but no success here.
Showtime is trying to break free.

Starman breaks from the clinch.
Showtime looks to land a combination. Starman sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Showtime swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Showtime keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rick Showtime has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Starman.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Starman tries to clinch up.
John Starman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Showtime misses with a double jab.

Showtime gets tackled into the cage by Starman. Starman maintains the clinch.
Starman scores with a shot to the side of Showtime's head.
Rick Showtime has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Starman is working for takedown but Showtime is calmly controlling the position for now.
Starman wants a takedown.
Showtime is trying to push Starman away but Starman has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Showtime is trying to force a seperation but Starman has the dominant position.
Showtime wants to break free but Starman has control.
Showtime can't break the clinch.
Starman has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Showtime avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Showtime gets underhooks to prevent Starman's takedown attempt.
Starman goes for a takedown attempt but Showtime pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Showtime looks to land a combination. Starman sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Showtime showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Starman 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rick Showtime!