PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fernando Egardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sparks's entrance music is Sparks. A fine choice. Ricky Sparks has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Sparks
vs
Egardo

179 cm
29
165 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

168 cm
19
154 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

TITAN
Rampage Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricky Sparks!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fernando Egardo!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yuuki Gou and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Egardo scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sparks in his tracks.
Egardo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Egardo clobbers Sparks with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Egardo tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Sparks counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Egardo's guard now.
Egardo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sparks is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sparks looking to pass the guard.
Sparks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sparks controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Egardo keeping moving, preventing Sparks from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Egardo keeping full guard, as Sparks tries to pass.
Sparks trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sparks's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ricky Sparks wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sparks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Egardo.
Fernando Egardo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Egardo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sparks fails with a takedown attempt.
Egardo takes a swing at Sparks's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Egardo misses with a lunging right hand

and Sparks counters with a shoot takedown. Egardo fights it but they end up in guard.
Sparks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Egardo is keeping the position for now.
Sparks will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sparks trying to control the position from guard on top but Egardo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sparks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Egardo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sparks throws a big elbow that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Egardo controls Sparks momentarily but Sparks frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Egardo keeping moving, preventing Sparks from controlling successfully.
Sparks cracks Egardo with a solid left hand.
Sparks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sparks tries to free his leg and advance position but Egardo is retaining full guard.
Sparks cracks Egardo with a solid left hand.
Sparks passes into half guard.
Egardo is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sparks is keen to just control but Egardo is a slippery customer.
Egardo is looking to escape.
Sparks thows a huge punch but Egardo dodges it nicely.
Sparks scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sparks throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sparks prevents Egardo from improving his position.
Sparks with the ground and pound but Egardo uses the opportunity to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Sparks dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sparks closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Egardo's guard.
Egardo working a defensive guard here.
Sparks is looking to work some ground and pound but Egardo has wrist control.
Ricky Sparks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sparks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Egardo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sparks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Egardo looking for a sweep. Not yet Egardo, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks distracts Egardo with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sparks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Egardo being controlled here, momentarily.
Egardo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sparks is looking to work some ground and pound but Egardo has wrist control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Egardo can do anything to dispel that myth.

Sparks drops back, looking for a kneebar! Egardo looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Egardo looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Egardo!
Sparks is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Egardo wants to control but Sparks is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Fernando Egardo wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sparks moves out of range as Egardo strikes.
Ricky Sparks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Egardo misses with a body shot.
Egardo just misses with a punch to the body.
Egardo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Egardo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sparks moves away.

Sparks darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sparks not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Egardo is defending against the submission attempts here by Sparks.
Egardo scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Sparks manages to mount him!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sparks unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Sparks dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sparks shoots in and drives through. Egardo sprawls well.
Egardo jabs Sparks right on the nose. Sparks blinks but takes it well.
Sparks throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sparks takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Egardo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sparks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Egardo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fernando Egardo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Egardo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sparks was well out of range. Poor timing from Egardo.
A telegraphed right hand from Sparks misses the target.
Egardo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sparks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sparks defending well as Egardo loads up on a big left hand.
Egardo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sparks.
Sparks takes one on the button.
Egardo lands a slapping body shot.
Sparks moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Egardo scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Egardo misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheers as Sparks lands an impressive looking overhand right. Egardo doesn't seem phased though.
Egardo looks to score with a jab to the body but Sparks is just out of range.
Egardo lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Egardo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sparks was well out of range. Poor timing from Egardo.
Egardo lands a nice hook to Sparks's body. Sparks takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Egardo scores with a nice right hand.
Sparks throws a series of punches but Egardo avoids them all with ease.
Fernando Egardo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Egardo scores with a punch to the head.
Egardo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sparks throws a looping overhand right but Egardo ducks down to avoid it.
Sparks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Egardo.
Egardo scores with a shot to the body.
Egardo thows a body shot but no joy.
Egardo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sparks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Egardo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sparks.
Egardo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Egardo throws a body punch but Sparks moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Egardo ducks under a wild hook from Sparks.
Egardo just misses with a punch to the body.
Egardo is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sparks rather than just go for the knockout.
Egardo loads up on a big right hand but Sparks slips the punch.
Egardo throws a hook but Sparks avoids it easily.
Nice body punch from Egardo.
Egardo misses with a hook.
Decent striking displayed by Egardo there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Egardo tries to work over Sparks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sparks drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Egardo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Egardo lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Egardo tries a body shot but Sparks blocks it.
Egardo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Egardo tries to work over Sparks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Egardo throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Egardo.
Egardo misses with a punch to the body.
Sparks drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Egardo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Sparks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Egardo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Egardo lands an uppercut.
Sparks is trying to drag Egardo to the mat but Egardo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Egardo lands a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks blocks an uppercut.
Egardo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Egardo misses with a punch on the inside.
Egardo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Egardo.
Egardo has a couple of punches blocked by Sparks.
Sparks tries for a takedown but Egardo manages to get underhooks.
Sparks blocks an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Egardo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Egardo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sparks drops down looking for an ankle pick but Egardo pulls his leg out and moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Egardo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sparks moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fernando Egardo really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Egardo looks to score with a jab to the body but Sparks is just out of range.
Egardo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Egardo tests Sparks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Egardo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sparks.
Sparks moves out of range as Egardo strikes.
Egardo throws a predictable looking body shot

and Sparks counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Egardo's guard now.
Egardo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sparks controls the pace.
Sparks pushing down on Egardo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks trying to control the action but Egardo is working from the bottom.
Sparks sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Egardo defending well though.

Sparks is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Egardo defends it well.

Sparks seems to be working for a kimura but Egardo defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparks is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Egardo!
Sparks with shots to the head and body - Egardo looks very uncomfortable down there.

It looks like Fernando Egardo has been cut.
Egardo is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sparks lands a heavy elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Egardo defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Sparks.
Egardo is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Egardo in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That has opened up Fernando Egardo's cut even more.

Sparks jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Egardo is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Egardo and Sparks has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Sparks in side control, throwing shots but Egardo defends.
Sparks is looking to take a break and control but Egardo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks in side control lands a decent elbow.
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!
Sparks in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sparks looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Egardo is avoiding damage well.
Egardo wants to control but Sparks postures up.
Egardo taking punishment in the form of punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Check out the look on Sparks's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Sparks advances nicely into full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Sparks had his way with Fernando Egardo in that round.
The cut man is working on Fernando Egardo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Egardo tries to clinch up

and Sparks counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sparks.
Sparks trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sparks looking to sit in guard and control but Egardo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sparks pushes Egardo off and scrambles back to his feet.
Egardo slips a jab and a cross from Sparks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks misses with a two punch combination.
Sparks takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A big left from Egardo misses.
Egardo scores with a shot to the body.
Egardo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Sparks gets the takedown into side control.
Sparks throwing strikes but Egardo manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Sparks is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Egardo asserts his dominance and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Sparks's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Egardo happy to just control the position for now.
Sparks is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Egardo asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Sparks's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Ricky Sparks has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Egardo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sparks has time to react.
Sparks throws a hook but Egardo avoids it easily.
Sparks doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Egardo digs a good body shot into Sparks's ribs.
Egardo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Egardo punishes Sparks's body with a nice straight punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sparks scores with a takedown into Egardo's guard.
Sparks throws a big right hand that misses.
Egardo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sparks is one step ahead there.
Sparks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Egardo is keeping the position for now.
Ricky Sparks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sparks controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Sparks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sparks has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 49:46
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Sparks!
Ricky Sparks retains his lightweight title!
After the big win, Ricky Sparks made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors TITAN and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.