PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cody Garbrandt (ranked 559 p4p, 33 weight class) and Kurt Clark (ranked 818 p4p, 46 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Kurt Clark will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Garbrandt
vs
Clark

166 cm
25
140 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

171 cm
25
141 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Arcticus University: London

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cody Garbrandt!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kurt Clark!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garbrandt fails with an attempt to clinch.

Garbrandt gets a clinch.
Garbrandt takes a shot to the head.
Garbrandt jumps guard but Clark turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Clark misses with a punch on the inside.
Garbrandt misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Garbrandt tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Clark's elbow.
Clark's coach down at Deep waters was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Clark's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Clark lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Garbrandt backwards.
A short uppercut from Clark.
Clark looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Garbrandt prevents a body shot from Clark.
Garbrandt fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've been hearing reports that Garbrandt has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Clark lands a shot to the body.
Clark throws a head punch that misses.
Garbrandt tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Clark smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cody Garbrandt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Garbrandt misses with a body punch.

Clark breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jab from Clark.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garbrandt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A telegraphed right hand from Clark misses the target.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Garbrandt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Clark misses the target.
Garbrandt ducks under a wild hook from Clark.
Garbrandt has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Clark finds it's way round the side to connect with Garbrandt's head.

Garbrandt is rocked!
Garbrandt slips under a jab.

Garbrandt pushes Clark up against the cage in a clinch.

Garbrandt jumps into guard, dragging Clark to the mat.
Clark postures up in Garbrandt's guard and throws a big left but Garbrandt blocks it.

Clark avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Garbrandt working for a triangle but Clark defends it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Clark accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Clark throws a big elbow that misses.

Garbrandt pushes a forearm under Clark's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Clark is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Cody Garbrandt!
Cody Garbrandt retains his bantamweight title!
A less than humble Cody Garbrandt misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.