PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mark Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peeta Mellark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spencer's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Ride Of The Valkyries - Richard Wagner. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Spencer
vs
Mellark

170 cm
27
157 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

172 cm
31
157 lbs
21 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Balco Boys - Hilo
Balco Boys - Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mark Spencer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Peeta Mellark!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Spencer, as that shot connected.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mellark.
Mellark throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mellark.
Spencer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Spencer throws a nice inside leg kick.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown but Mellark shows good takedown defense.
Mellark misses with a low kick as Spencer jumps back.

Spencer closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mellark taking a bit of punishment here - Spencer scoring with strikes.
Mellark keeping his opponent close.

Spencer looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Spencer looks up at the clock and then as Mellark takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Spencer smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer scores with punches from side control.

Spencer thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
An elbow from Spencer crashes against the mat.
Mellark is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Spencer is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mellark knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Spencer in the domination position with Mellark hanging on.
The ground and pound from Spencer seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spencer looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mellark tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Spencer wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The ground and pound from Spencer seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Spencer working the ground and pound but Mellark is defending the strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Spencer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Mellark has escaped the position, nice work there.
Spencer misses with the ground and pound.
Mellark struggling a bit here.

Spencer tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
What's Mellark going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Spencer throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Spencer misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Spencer 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.
Spencer misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Mellark wants to control but Spencer postures up.
Mellark is trying to improve his position.
Spencer tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mellark is trying to control Spencer's posture but Spencer avoids it.
Spencer tries to score with some ground and pound. Mellark controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Spencer postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Spencer misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Mellark regains half guard, as Spencer was trying to land strikes.
Spencer with the ground and pound but Mellark uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Spencer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mellark is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer throws a big elbow that misses.
Spencer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice body kick from Mellark.
Spencer lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A slapping leg kick lands for Spencer.
Mellark lands a jab-cross combination.
Spencer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mellark.
Spencer takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice cross by Mellark.
Spencer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mellark was well out of range. Poor timing from Spencer.
Mellark takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice shot by Mellark.
Spencer dodges the punch combination from Mellark.
A swing and a miss from Spencer.
Spencer moves out of range as Mellark strikes.
Mellark lands a body shot.
A big right from Spencer misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer lands the left hand.
Spencer works the jab nicely.
Mellark throws a series of punches but Spencer avoids them all with ease.
Spencer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mellark.
Mellark with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mellark fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spencer manages to avoid it.
Mellark connects with a solid leg kick.
Spencer blocks the body kick.
Mellark throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Mellark connects with a jab.
Mellark moves away from the strike by Spencer.
Spencer has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Mellark.
Mellark uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Spencer.
Mellark ducks under a wild hook from Spencer.
Mellark moves in looking to clinch but Spencer pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mellark takes a jab right on the kisser.
Spencer lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Spencer looks to score with a jab to the body but Mellark is just out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Spencer, right into the meat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mellark looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Spencer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Spencer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mellark.
Spencer avoids the body shot from Mellark.
Mellark pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Mellark avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mellark lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mellark goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mellark scores with a nice head shot.
Peeta Mellark is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mellark misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mellark moves out of range as Spencer strikes.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Spencer.
Spencer lands a few punches from side control.
Mellark is trying to improve his position.
Spencer throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Spencer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Mellark has escaped the position, nice work there.
What's Mellark going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Check out the look on Spencer's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Mellark takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The strikes coming from Spencer are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
An elbow from Spencer crashes against the mat.
Spencer working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Spencer tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Spencer has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
I wouldn't like to be where Mellark is right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Spencer dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Mellark takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mellark throws a front kick aimed at Spencer's knee but Spencer avoids it well.
Mellark misses with a two punch combination.
Spencer misses the jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Mellark. That snapped Spencer's head back.
Spencer lands a jab to Mellark's midsection.
A slow jab from Spencer misses its intended target.
Spencer misses with a few strikes there.
A telegraphed right hand from Spencer misses the target.
Mellark swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Spencer stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mellark.
Mellark swinging wildly here.
A thudding body kick lands there by Mellark!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice cross by Mellark.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spencer is defended easily by Mellark.
Mellark moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Peeta Mellark is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mellark throws a low kick but it's checked well by Spencer.
Mellark misses with a few strikes there.
Spencer moves into range and connects with a jab.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mellark as he avoids it easily.
Spencer shoots in looking for a takedown but Mellark manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Spencer's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Spencer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spencer. Mellark does a little dance to reset his feet.
Peeta Mellark seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A swing and a miss from Mellark.
A combination from Mellark does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer looks to land a combination. Mellark sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Spencer misses the shot to the body.
Mellark lands with a nice body kick.
Mellark throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Spencer just misses with a punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Mellark.
Spencer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Spencer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mellark moves away.
Spencer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spencer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mellark was well out of range. Poor timing from Spencer.
Mellark ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spencer is defended easily by Mellark.
Mellark throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Spencer sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mellark.
A jab from Mellark finds it's way through Spencer's defenses.
Spencer connects with a solid leg kick.
Spencer slips a straight right by Mellark.
Spencer misses with a body shot.
Mellark fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spencer manages to avoid it.
Spencer jabs Mellark to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Spencer motions for Mellark to come forward. Spencer throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mellark rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Spencer to counter with a crisp jab.
Mellark lands a jab-cross combination.

Mellark gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Spencer won't allow Mellark to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Spencer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Spencer throws an elbow that misses. Mellark uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Spencer's guard. Nice move by Mellark!
Mellark trying to control but Spencer is working from the bottom.
Peeta Mellark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Spencer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mellark wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.
Mellark throwing strikes from guard but Spencer blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Spencer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mark Spencer.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Spencer, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Spencer!
Mark Spencer managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, KINGDOM, into his post fight interview.