PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Better Dead (ranked 3993 p4p, 2677 weight class) and Matt Starr (ranked 440 p4p, 320 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Dead
vs
Starr

190 cm
25
162
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
163
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Better Dead!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Matt Starr!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starr just misses with a punch to the body.
Starr throws the left hand but Dead avoids the punch easily.
Starr swings for the body but Dead moves out of range.
Starr punishes Dead's body with a nice straight punch.
Starr misses with a shot to the body
and Dead counters with a one-two to the body.

Dead shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Starr's guard.
Starr has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Starr keeping moving, preventing Dead from controlling successfully.
Starr is trying to control the position but Dead postures up.
Dead tries to free his leg and advance position but Starr is retaining full guard.
Starr is pulling down on Dead's head. It's preventing any offense from Dead, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starr working a defensive guard here.
Dead has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Starr trying to control the position here.
Starr 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Dead looking to score a takedown here. Starr is defending well but Dead drives through and ends up in Starr's guard.
Starr has control of Dead's left arm, preventing Dead from doing any damage.
Starr's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starr is trying to keep Dead in close.
Dead stopping the sweep attempt from Starr.
Dead trying to control the position from guard on top but Starr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Starr controlling Dead's posture.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dead tries to free his leg and advance position but Starr is retaining full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Starr defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dead.
Starr avoids the head kick by Dead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Dead misses.
Starr swings for the body but Dead moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Starr. Dead does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dead seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Starr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dead moves away.
Starr is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Dead rather than just go for the knockout.
Dead shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Starr but Starr pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dead shoots in and drives through. Starr sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Better Dead. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dead tries for a takedown but Starr sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dead tries to clinch but Starr is having none of it.
Starr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Starr throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dead sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dead fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Starr avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dead gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Starr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Starr on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Dead is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Starr's half guard.
Dead is thwarting Starr's attempts to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are battling for position here. Starr manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Starr working a defensive guard here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Better Dead dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dead avoids the body shot from Starr.
Dead moves in looking to clinch but Starr pushes him off.
Starr changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Starr. Dead does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dead shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Starr as he avoids it easily.
Starr just misses with a punch to the body.
Better Dead is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Starr misses with a wild body shot.
Dead throws a head kick but Starr moves out of range.
Starr throws a jab but it's blocked by Dead.
Dead has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starr keeps the fight on the outside.
Dead closes the distance and clinches up with Starr, looking for a takedown. Dead pushes Starr against the cage but Starr circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Starr misses with a jab, cross combination.
Starr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dead moves away.
Dead doesn't manage to clinch there - Starr circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starr misses with a wild body shot.
Starr just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromDead.
Starr lands a slapping body shot.
Dead uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Starr.
Starr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dead circles away quickly and effectively.
Dead really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Dead avoids a punch combination nicely.

Dead gets a clinch.
Dead wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dead keeps control of Starr as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Starr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Starr feints a jab promting Dead to slip. Starr then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Dead slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Dead shoots in but Starr avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Better Dead. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starr throws a right and a left that Dead avoids nicely.
Dead tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Starr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Starr avoids the head kick by Dead.
Starr with the counter takedown but Dead avoids it easily.
Starr misses with the combination.
Starr lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Starr swings for the body but Dead moves out of range.
Dead wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Starr throws a body punch but Dead moves out of range.
Starr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dead was well out of range. Poor timing from Starr.
Dead fails with a takedown attempt.
Starr is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dead avoids the body shot from Starr.
Starr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Starr lands a nice hook to Dead's body. Dead takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Dead displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Starr throws out the jab.

Dead feints and as Starr raises his hands in defense, Dead changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dead forces his way into half guard.
Well, if Dead 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.
The fighters are battling for position here. Starr manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starr has Dead pulled in close to control his posture.
Starr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dead stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Starr swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dead wants to control from the top but Starr keeps moving.
Starr is adopting a defensive guard.
More stalling from Starr.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Starr 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 each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

The fighters circling - Dead throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dead looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Starr scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Starr throws the left hand but Dead avoids the punch easily.
A head kick misses from Dead.
Starr tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Starr throws a lazy right hand but Dead sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Starr throws a nice looking combination but Dead bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starr blocks a head kick by Dead.
Starr misses with a body shot.
Nice body punch from Starr.
Starr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dead moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starr stuns Dead with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dead.
Nice shot lands for Starr.
Starr throws a nice looking combination but Dead bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dead misses with a two punch combination.
Starr feints the counter takedown.
Starr is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

Dead shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Starr moves into full guard.
Dead will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Starr looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starr pulls Dead in to control the position.
Starr controls Dead momentarily but Dead frees himself.
Dead pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Starr is keeping the position for now.
Starr controls Dead momentarily but Dead frees himself.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Starr is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Starr throws a big shot that misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Dead misses its target.
Starr comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starr ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Dead fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Starr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dead was well out of range. Poor timing from Starr.
Starr misses with a wild body shot.
Dead tries to counter with a takedown but Starr is quick to defend against it.
Dead slips under a jab.
As Starr tries to get set, Dead tries to push him back and clinch up but Starr manages to avoid the attempt.
Dead shoots in but Starr avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Better Dead. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Starr blocks a low kick nicely.
Starr misses with an uppercut. Dead saw that one coming.
Dead takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Starr keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dead keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Starr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Starr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dead.
Starr blocks a head kick by Dead.
Starr scores with a sloppy right hand. Dead should have avoided that one.
Dead gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Starr.
Starr misses with a wild body shot.
Dead misses with a two punch combination.
Starr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dead moves away.
Starr scores with a shot to the body.
Matt Starr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good shot there by Starr.
Dead ducks under a wild hook from Starr.
Dead tries to counter by clinching up but Starr breaks away and moves out of range.
Starr moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Starr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Starr 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Starr!