PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Boon Wrecking Ball (ranked 2309 p4p, 19 weight class) and Paul Starker (ranked 1152 p4p, 57 weight class). Starker is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Catrin O'Neill - Ar Lan Y Mor. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Wrecking Ball
vs
Starker

200 cm
30
260 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

190 cm
40
265 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

KAISER

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Boon Wrecking Ball!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Paul Starker!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Starker closes the distance and pushes Wrecking Ball back into the cage.
Wrecking Ball tries to score a body lock takedown but Starker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Starker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wrecking Ball blocks an elbow strike from Starker.

Starker successfully pulls guard.
Wrecking Ball 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.
Wrecking Ball postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wrecking Ball trying to control but Starker is working from the bottom.
Wrecking Ball advances to half guard.
Wrecking Ball missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wrecking Ball sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Starker defending well though.
Wrecking Ball throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wrecking Ball working Starker over with strikes.
Wrecking Ball 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.

Wrecking Ball is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrecking Ball throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wrecking Ball takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Starker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wrecking Ball.
Wrecking Ball trying to control from half guard but Starker is working away.
Starker taking some punishment here, with Wrecking Ball in his half guard.
Wrecking Ball thows a huge punch but Starker dodges it nicely.
Wrecking Ball throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wrecking Ball wants to lay and pray for a moment but Starker keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wrecking Ball is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Wrecking Ball is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Starker is just riding it out for now. Wrecking Ball eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Starker is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Wrecking Ball scores with a couple of nice shots.
Wrecking Ball working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
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. Wrecking Ball connects with a nice short shot to Starker's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wrecking Ball drops an elbow to the side of Starker's head.
Wrecking Ball scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Wrecking Ball is nestled in close to Starker, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Wrecking Ball throwing shots but Starker is blocking nicely.
Wrecking Ball slows the pace down in half guard.
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. Wrecking Ball connects with a nice short shot to Starker's temple.
Starker is trying to stand.
Starker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wrecking Ball sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Starker defending well though.
Wrecking Ball lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wrecking Ball is looking for a kimura but Starker is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Wrecking Ball to get the leverage.
Starker is trying to stand up here but Wrecking Ball is controlling him well.
Wrecking Ball thows a huge punch but Starker dodges it nicely.
Starker avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wrecking Ball.
Starker on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Wrecking Ball.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wrecking Ball throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Starker is trying to stand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Wrecking Ball wants to work for an arm triangle but Starker is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Wrecking Ball is nestled in close to Starker, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boon Wrecking Ball dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Starker instigates a clinch.
Wrecking Ball is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Starker to keep the fight standing.

Starker jumps guard and drags Wrecking Ball to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Wrecking Ball throws a big right hand that misses.
Boon Wrecking Ball overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wrecking Ball chips away with some ground and pound.
Wrecking Ball postures up in Starker's guard and throws a big left but Starker blocks it.
Wrecking Ball landing with the ground and pound.
Wrecking Ball looking to pass the guard.
Wrecking Ball is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Starker can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wrecking Ball stands and throws Starker's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Wrecking Ball throwing strikes but Starker manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Starker working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrecking Ball is looking to reverse the position.
Wrecking Ball is working hard here to advance position.
Starker throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Starker thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Wrecking Ball is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Wrecking Ball gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Wrecking Ball keeping control of the position.
Starker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Starker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Wrecking Ball wants to control but Starker is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Starker seems to be working for a kimura but Wrecking Ball defends the submission attempt.
Wrecking Ball gets back to full guard.
Starker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wrecking Ball trying to control the position here.
Starker must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Starker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

It looks like Boon Wrecking Ball has been cut.
Wrecking Ball has Starker pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wrecking Ball avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wrecking Ball utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Wrecking Ball avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Starker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wrecking Ball works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Starker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wrecking Ball works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Starker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wrecking Ball working a defensive guard here.
Starker throwing strikes from guard but Wrecking Ball blocks nicely.
Wrecking Ball is trying to control the position but Starker postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wrecking Ball feints a jab promting Starker to slip. Wrecking Ball then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Starker slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Starker has closed the distance and engaged Wrecking Ball in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starker jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Wrecking Ball walks away with a smile on his face. Starker gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Starker clinches.

Starker decides to pull guard.
Starker keeping moving, preventing Wrecking Ball from controlling successfully.
Wrecking Ball working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Starker's head.
Wrecking Ball with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wrecking Ball throws an elbow that misses. Starker uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Wrecking Ball's guard. Nice move by Starker!

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Starker looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Starker throws an elbow that misses. Wrecking Ball uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Starker's guard. Nice move by Wrecking Ball!

Wrecking Ball connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Starker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Boon Wrecking Ball's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Starker clinches up with Wrecking Ball and pushes him back against the cage.
Starker creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Wrecking Ball's defenses.
Wrecking Ball blocks the elbow strike.

Starker pulls guard effortlessly.
Starker wants to stand and escape but Wrecking Ball is having none of it.
Wrecking Ball trying to control but Starker is working from the bottom.
Wrecking Ball throws an elbow that misses. Starker uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Wrecking Ball's guard. Nice move by Starker!

Wrecking Ball managing to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starker wants to pass the guard but Wrecking Ball is keeping the position.
Starker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrecking Ball utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Starker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Starker drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Wrecking Ball dives on top into guard.

Starker keeping moving, preventing Wrecking Ball from controlling successfully.
Wrecking Ball is looking to work some ground and pound but Starker has wrist control.
Wrecking Ball postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wrecking Ball throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Starker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wrecking Ball throws a strike but Starker rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Starker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wrecking Ball pulls Starker in close to his closed guard and prevents Starker from doing any damage or advancing position.
Wrecking Ball preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wrecking Ball trying to keep a closed guard but Starker is proving a slippery customer.
Starker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Wrecking Ball avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Starker thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Starker is looking to work some ground and pound but Wrecking Ball has wrist control.
Wrecking Ball wants to get back to his feet but Starker is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Starker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wrecking Ball looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wrecking Ball gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
With the fighters up against the cage, Starker throws an elbow but misses.
Wrecking Ball fails to pull guard.
Wrecking Ball takes an elbow to the forehead.
Wrecking Ball jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Starker walks away with a smile on his face. Wrecking Ball gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Wrecking Ball rushes Starker and presses him up against the cage.
Wrecking Ball is trying to force a seperation but Starker has the dominant position.

Starker jumps guard and drags Wrecking Ball to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Starker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wrecking Ball in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wrecking Ball is looking to work some ground and pound but Starker has wrist control.
Wrecking Ball stands up over Starker, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrecking Ball throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Starker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wrecking Ball throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Starker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wrecking Ball accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wrecking Ball postures up and lands a big shot to Starker's brow.
Wrecking Ball is in close to Starker's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wrecking Ball throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Starker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Starker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Starker has momentary wrist control but Wrecking Ball slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wrecking Ball keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Starker's head.
Wrecking Ball stands up over Starker, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Starker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Starker 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Starker!
Paul Starker decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.