PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Stark (ranked 2634 p4p, 289 weight class) and Scott Watt (ranked 2728 p4p, 296 weight class). Watt has chosen Edmund Fitzgerald as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Stark
vs
Watt

176 cm
36
167 lbs
18 - 26 - 0

185 cm
41
165 lbs
22 - 36 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 18 - 26 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brandon Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 36 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Scott Watt!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Stark.
Stark misses with a head kick.
Watt moves out of range as Stark throws a body kick.
Watt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Watt thuds a left hand into Stark's body.
Watt misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stark showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Watt.
Watt throws a right and a left that Stark avoids nicely.
Stark looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Watt has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Watt there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stark throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stark cracks the inside of Watt's front leg.
Stark pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stark looks for the body kick but Watt saw that one coming.
Stark has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Watt misses with a few strikes there.
Stark half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stark moves out of range of the strikes.
A nice combination there by Stark.
Stark throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Watt shoots in and drives through. Stark sprawls well.
The fighters circling - Watt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - Watt coming out on top.
Stark walks into a straight right hand from Watt.
Watt on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Watt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stark circles away quickly and effectively.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Watt, as that shot connected.
Stark goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Watt swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stark pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Watt throws a jab when Stark was well out of range.
Watt blocks a head kick by Stark.
It seemed like Watt was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Watt loads up on a big right hand but Stark slips the punch.
Stark misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Watt throws out a counter right but Stark avoids it with no problem.
Watt checks a low kick from Stark.
Stark tried to score with a low kick but Watt checks it.
Watt misses with a hook.
Stark throws a push kick but Watt slaps the foot to one side.
Watt ducks under a wild hook from Stark.
Stark swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
As Stark backs off Watt throws a huge counter combo but Stark manages to avoid it all.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Watt looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watt misses with a looping left.
Stark lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Stark throws a sloppy head kick and Watt moves out of range easily.
Watt takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Watt fails to land with a series of punches.
Brandon Stark is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stark throws a lazy head kick
and Watt counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Watt waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stark.
Watt is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stark finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Watt throws out a counter right but Stark avoids it with no problem.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Stark looks to land a body kick but Watt moved away.
Watt misses with a looping right.
Stark throws a low kick but Watt avoids it.
Watt throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Stark's head.
Stark looks to land a combination but Watt avoids it well.
Brandon Stark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stark ducks under a wild hook from Watt.
Stark misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stark throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Watt throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stark.
Watt getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Watt blocks the body kick.
Stark fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watt misses with a straight right.
Stark throws a head kick that half lands.
Stark bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Watt avoids the head kick by Stark.
Stark throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
No joy there for Watt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stark pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Stark throws a left and a right that both miss

and Watt counters with a nice double leg into side control. Stark won't be happy with that.
Stark tries to improve position but can't.
Watt tries to score with some ground and pound. Stark controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Watt is trying to ground and pound but Stark uses the momentary lack of control by Watt to regain half guard.
Watt missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Watt prevents Stark from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Watt throwing shots but Stark is blocking nicely.
Watt prevents Stark from improving his position.
Stark is working hard here to advance position.
Watt sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Watt is trying to control. Stark wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Watt on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Stark pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Watt throws out a counter right but Stark avoids it with no problem.

Stark gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Watt to score an easy takedown into full guard.
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 is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Stark controls Watt momentarily but Watt frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Watt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Watt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Watt postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Stark has his foot on Watt's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Watt works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stark looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Watt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Watt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stark controls Watt momentarily but Watt frees himself.
Watt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Stark holds on and takes a little breather.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Watt working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Stark working a defensive guard here.
Stark wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.
Watt moves out of range as Stark throws a body kick.
Watt moves out of range as Stark throws a body kick.
Watt takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Watt throws a head kick that half lands.

Watt closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Watt lands in his opponent's guard.
Stark looking to control.
Stark wants to sweep but no luck.
Watt wants to control from the top but Stark keeps moving.
Stark looking for a sweep. Not yet Stark, not yet.
Watt is working Stark over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Watt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Watt trying to control the position from guard on top but Stark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watt throws a big elbow that misses.
Watt throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stark preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stark is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Stark throws a one two combo.
A head kick misses from Stark.
Watt goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Stark scores with a jab to the head.
Stark throws a leg kick but Watt sees it coming and moves out of range.
Stark throws a leg kick which misses Watt's front leg but catches the back leg as Watt tries to avoid it.
Stark slips under a jab from Watt.
Stark throws a low kick but it's checked well by Watt.
Stark works the jab nicely.
Watt chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Watt throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stark stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Watt takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Watt checks the leg kick nicely there.
Watt fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Watt as he connects with a hook.
Stark lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Watt checks a low kick from Stark.
Stark pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Watt dives in and grabs Stark's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stark pushes down on Watt's head and hops out.
Stark loads up on a big right hand but Watt slips the punch.
Stark scoring well with a low kick there.
Stark throws a head kick but Watt moves out of range.
Stark checks a leg kick.
Watt takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Watt throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Watt fails to land with a series of punches.
Stark gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Watt.
Stark tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Watt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Watt uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stark.
Watt avoids the head kick by Stark.
Watt tries to counter with a clinch but Stark shakes him off and moves away.

Watt shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stark is trying to defend but Watt finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Stark trying to hold on to Watt's head to control him but Watt postures up.
Watt is nestled in close to Stark, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Watt is looking to advance position but Stark won't allow it.
Watt missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark is controlling Watt's trapped leg to prevent Watt from advancing to side control.
Stark wants to improve his position but Watt is controlling well.
Watt has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark trying to control but Watt postures up.
Watt is trying to control. Stark wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stark is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Watt tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Stark.
Watt not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stark trying to control here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Donk. Watt catches Stark right on the button with a cross.
Stark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Brandon Stark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Stark enables Watt to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Stark manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Stark is trying to keep Watt in close.
Watt throws a big elbow that misses.
Watt must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stark is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Watt makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Watt.
Stark won't allow Watt to sweep him here.
Stark trying to control but Watt is working from the bottom.
Stark throws an elbow that misses. Watt uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stark's guard. Nice move by Watt!

Watt wants to control from the top but Stark keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watt preventing the sweep.
Watt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Stark looking for a guillotine here but Watt defends easily.
Watt is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Stark wants to sweep here but Watt controlling him for the moment.
Scott Watt 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.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Watt postures up in Stark's guard and throws a big left but Stark blocks it.
Watt controlling from the top position.
Watt trying to control the position from guard on top but Stark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stark working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Watt.
Stark wants to sweep but no luck.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Watt throwing strikes from guard but Stark blocks nicely.

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

Stark gets caught napping as Watt dives in and scores a takedown. Stark manages to retain guard.

Stark has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Watt is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Stark showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Watt 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Scott Watt!
A victorious Scott Watt thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.