PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khal Stark (ranked 2776 p4p, 230 weight class) and Blair Darrow (ranked 1741 p4p, 174 weight class). Stark's entrance music is Mama We're All Crazy Now by QUIET RIOT. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stark
vs
Darrow

174 cm
36
158 lbs
23 - 20 - 2

167 cm
35
146 lbs
18 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 23 - 20 - 2, fighting out of New York, Khal Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Blair Darrow!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Atkins and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stark misses with a lunging right hand
and Darrow counters with a nice leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stark.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Darrow.
A bone on bone clash there as Stark blocks the leg kick.
Stark was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Khal Stark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Stark checks a leg kick.
Stark takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Darrow drives through and clinches with Stark against the cage.
Darrow lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stark prevents a body shot from Darrow.
Nice elbow from Stark.

It looks like Blair Darrow has been cut.
Stark tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Darrow smiles and moves away.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Darrow lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Stark has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Stark and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Darrow has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Stark shoots in and bounces Darrow off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stark throws a strike but Darrow rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've been hearing good reports from Stark's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Darrow wants to pass the guard but Stark is keeping the position.
Darrow postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Stark is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stark looking to control.
Stark looking to hit a scissor sweep but Darrow is one step ahead there.
Stark working a defensive guard but Darrow manages to pass into side control anyway.
Stark is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Darrow working away.
Stark tries to bench press Darrow off him but Darrow keeps the position.
Stark holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Stark sneaks back into half guard.
Darrow content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Stark is looking for a sweep. Darrow is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Darrow sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Stark has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Darrow is working away from the top position though.
Stark wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark is working hard here to advance position.
Stark looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Darrow throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Darrow lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stark doesn't seem phased though.
Darrow lands with a thumping leg kick.
Darrow paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Darrow tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stark was well out of range. Poor timing from Darrow.
Stark throws a sloppy head kick and Darrow moves out of range easily.
Darrow throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A big left from Stark misses.
A leg kick checked by Stark.
Stark misses with a takedown
and Darrow counters with a slapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khal Stark. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark connects with a crisp jab.
Stark checks a leg kick nicely.
Stark lands a head kick. Darrow smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Darrow lands with a nice body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Darrow uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stark.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Darrow moves into the clinch.
Darrow lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stark backwards.
Darrow tries to work over Stark's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stark lands an elbow just above Darrow 's eye.
Darrow blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A shot in the inside from Stark.
Stark misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Stark fails to land.
Darrow goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Darrow avoids a wild elbow strike from Stark.
Stark blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Darrow scores with a shot to the side of Stark's head.
Stark tries to land knees in the clinch but Darrow avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blair Darrow dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Blair Darrow's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Darrow cracks the inside of Stark's front leg.
Stark throws a one two combo.
Stark has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Darrow finds it's way round the side to connect with Stark's head.
Stark works the jab nicely.

Darrow gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stark seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Stark trying to control but Darrow is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stark passes Darrow's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Stark is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Darrow sees it coming and defends easily.
Stark is keen to just control but Darrow is a slippery customer.
Darrow gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark wants to control from the top but Darrow keeps moving.
Darrow trying to control the position here.
Stark with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stark trying to control but Darrow is working from the bottom.
Stark is really struggling to control Darrow but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Stark looking to pass the guard.
Darrow keeping moving, preventing Stark from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A leg kick checked by Stark.
Stark moves out of range of the strikes.
Stark misses with a takedown attempt - Darrow sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A big left from Stark misses.
Stark shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Darrow sprawls well. Darrow wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stark gets slowly back to his feet.
Stark throws a shot from downtown. Darrow moves away and avoids it.
Stark throws a combination that misses
and Darrow counters with a stiff right hand.
Darrow scores with a hook to the body. Stark takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Darrow misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Darrow looks to score with a jab to the body but Stark is just out of range.

Stark darts in and clinches Darrow up against the cage.
Darrow tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow tries a body shot but Stark blocks it.
Darrow makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Darrow.
Darrow blocks the elbow strike.
Stark lands a body shot in the clinch.
Blair Darrow seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stark.
Darrow misses with a body punch.
Darrow lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stark backwards.
Stark blocking some punches.
Stark blocking some punches.
Stark misses with some punches.
Darrow tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stark's elbow.
Stark misses with a hook to the ribs.
Darrow lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Darrow misses with some punches.
Stark missing with knees to the body.
Darrow lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Stark swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Darrow scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Darrow fails to land.
Darrow misses with a punch on the inside.
Darrow misses with a body punch.
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!
Darrow lands a left hand.
Darrow has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Darrow blocks an elbow strike from Stark.
Darrow misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stark working aggressively here.
Stark avoids a wild elbow strike from Darrow.
Darrow swings wildly with an uppercut but Stark uses good head movement to avoid it.
Darrow lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stark backwards.
With the fighters up against the cage, Stark throws an elbow but misses.
Darrow misses with a short punch on the inside.
Darrow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Starks head.
Darrow blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Stark misses with an elbow strike.
Darrow throws a punch but it's blocked by Stark.
Stark lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blair Darrow showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Blair Darrow's cut.
That's time! Stark's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Darrow avoids a punch combination nicely.
Darrow connects with a crisp jab.
Stark scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Darrow doesn't seem bothered though.
Stark misses with the combination.
Stark misses with a hook.
Stark tries to clinch up but Darrow circles away and keeps his distance.
Darrow swings for the body but Stark moves out of range.
Stark takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Darrow instigates a clinch.
Darrow swings wildly with an uppercut but Stark uses good head movement to avoid it.
Darrow avoids a wild elbow strike from Stark.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark lands a hook that snaps the head of Darrow backwards.
Darrow lands with a light punch inside.
Darrow swings wildly with an uppercut but Stark uses good head movement to avoid it.
Darrow tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stark's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darrow lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stark backwards.
Darrow working aggressively here.
Stark throws an elbow but it misses.
Darrow lands an uppercut.
Darrow blocks an elbow strike.
Stark cracks Darrow with a nice body shot.
Darrow tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stark misses with a knee strike.
A short right from Darrow on the inside.
Stark misses with a hook from the clinch.
Darrow working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Darrow dodges an elbow strike from Stark.
Darrow tries to work over Stark's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Darrow swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stark goes for a takedown in the clinch but Darrow prevents it.
Stark working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Darrow fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Stark.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Darrow misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Darrow.
Darrow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Darrow lands an uppercut.
Stark blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stark lands a hook that snaps the head of Darrow backwards.
Stark swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stark.
Darrow blocking some punches.
Stark creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Darrow.
Khal Stark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Darrow lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Darrow scores with a nice hook to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stark.
Darrow tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Darrow lands a right hand.
Darrow tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stark's elbow.
Darrow blocks an elbow strike from Stark.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow misses with a body punch.
Darrow goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Darrow scores with a shot to the side of Stark's head.
Stark throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Darrow.
A short right from Darrow on the inside.
Stark pushes off an throws an elbow but Darrow leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Darrow misses with a hook from the clinch.
Darrow working aggressively here.
Darrow goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Darrow dodges an elbow strike from Stark.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Darrow.
Stark lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Blair Darrow is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Darrow lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stark backwards.
Darrow is leaning against Stark and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stark tries to land a knee to the head but Darrow blocks with his arms.
Darrow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darrow blocking some punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stark scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Darrow lands with a light punch inside.
Stark tries a body shot but Darrow blocks it.
Darrow tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stark's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Darrow.
Stark lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Darrow cracks Stark with a nice body shot.
Darrow throws a head punch that misses.
Stark throws a head punch that misses.
Darrow blocks the elbow strike.
Stark can't find room to land a body shot as Darrow controls the action.
Stark is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Darrow is defending well for now.
Stark blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, Stark throws an elbow but misses.
Darrow lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blair Darrow comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Darrow winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blair Darrow!
In defeat, Khal Stark stepped up to the mic, saying 'Thanks to my sponsors Zenith Nutrition and all the fans!'.