PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tim Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenny Mcroberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stark
vs
Mcroberts

205 cm
23
140 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

175 cm
25
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tim Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kenny Mcroberts!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Eddie Farnsworth and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stark closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Mcroberts pulls guard effortlessly.

Stark thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stark is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Stark will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mcroberts wants to sweep but no luck.
Stark looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stark drops back looking for a leg! Mcroberts is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mcroberts manages to kick Stark off! Stark jumps back into Mcroberts's guard.
Mcroberts is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stark is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stark decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Mcroberts, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcroberts fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stark sprawls well initially but Mcroberts persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mcroberts is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Stark reverses the position - he's now on top in Mcroberts's guard.
Stark slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Mcroberts trying to keep a closed guard but Stark is proving a slippery customer.
Mcroberts is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stark controls from within his opponent's guard.

Stark decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Mcroberts lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stark circles away quickly and effectively.

Mcroberts instigates a clinch.
Mcroberts has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcroberts wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Mcroberts has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mcroberts is trying to break the clinch but Stark is controlling him.
Stark tries for a takedown but Mcroberts manages to get underhooks.
Stark tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mcroberts just stands there and leans against the cage.

Mcroberts manages to pull guard.

Stark drops back looking for a leg! Mcroberts is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mcroberts manages to kick Stark off! Stark jumps back into Mcroberts's guard.
Mcroberts wants to get back to his feet but Stark is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stark sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Stark stopping the sweep attempt from Mcroberts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcroberts wants to hit a switch here but Stark passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Mcroberts there!
Mcroberts looks winded!
Mcroberts is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Stark controlling from mount.
Mcroberts is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Stark has taken his back!
Stark biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mcroberts is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Stark gets his way!

Mcroberts is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Stark off. It looks like it's working - Stark slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Mcroberts displaying calm under pressure there.

Mcroberts has managed to clinch.
Mcroberts wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.

Stark's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mcroberts tries to bum rush Stark with a series of wild strikes but Stark uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mcroberts rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Stark holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stark misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mcroberts.

Stark has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mcroberts uses from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Stark dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stark tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mcroberts swivels and escapes.
Mcroberts misses with a few strikes there.
Mcroberts tries to bum rush Stark with a series of wild strikes but Stark uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sloppy strikes from Mcroberts. Those never looked like landing.
Mcroberts tries to bum rush Stark with a series of wild strikes but Stark uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Stark drives through and clinches with Mcroberts against the cage.
Knees to the body from Stark.
Mcroberts gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stark.
Mcroberts wants to break free but Stark has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcroberts is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stark blocking some punches.

Stark successfully pulls guard.
Mcroberts is breathing heavily.
Mcroberts throws an elbow that misses. Stark uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mcroberts's guard. Nice move by Stark!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stark gets to his feet - Mcroberts follows without any prompting.
Mcroberts throws a lazy right hand but Stark sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Mcroberts gets caught flat footed, as Stark shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Stark slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Stark stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Stark drives through and clinches with Mcroberts against the cage.
Mcroberts misses with some punches.
Mcroberts tries to break free but Stark pushes him back against the cage.
Stark is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mcroberts can do to turn this around?
Mcroberts stops a takedown attempt from Stark.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Stark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stark prevents Mcroberts from breaking the clinch.

Stark jumps guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark trying to strike off his back.
Tim Stark overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Stark pushes Mcroberts off and scrambles back to his feet.

Stark has closed the distance and engaged Mcroberts in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mcroberts is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Stark keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mcroberts's efforts to push away.
Mcroberts is looking to break free of the clinch but Stark has double underhooks.
Mcroberts wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stark can't get the takedown.
Stark drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stark keeps control of Mcroberts as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mcroberts pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mcroberts wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stark has him pressed against the cage.

Stark decides to pull guard.
Stark is adopting a defensive guard.
Stark lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Stark scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stark lands a couple of digs.

Stark gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcroberts slaps away a takedown attempt from Stark, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tim Stark is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Stark closes the distance and clinches.

Stark works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Stark won't allow Mcroberts to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stark is stalling in the full guard.

Stark is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Mcroberts looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Stark passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Stark dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Stark clinches with his opponent.
Mcroberts wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mcroberts working hard to break the clinch.
Stark really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mcroberts is trying to force a seperation but Stark has the dominant position.
Mcroberts wants to get back to striking at distance but Stark won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Mcroberts's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Stark lands a takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mcroberts is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stark working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mcroberts's head.
Stark postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Stark stands and steps away. Mcroberts gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mcroberts throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mcroberts takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Stark has managed to clinch.
Stark tries for a takedown but Mcroberts manages to get underhooks.
Mcroberts has a couple of punches blocked by Stark.
Mcroberts working aggressively here.
Mcroberts is trying to break the clinch but Stark is controlling him.
Stark keeps control of Mcroberts as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mcroberts working aggressively here.
Tim Stark has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Stark misses with a body punch.

Stark drags the fight down to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcroberts throws a strike but Stark rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Stark won't allow Mcroberts to sweep him here.

Stark drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stark jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Stark sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Stark distracts Mcroberts with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Stark works over Mcroberts with some ground and pound from guard.

Stark is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Mcroberts is working an open guard so Stark takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Stark takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcroberts is trying to push Stark away but Stark has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mcroberts working hard to break the clinch.
Mcroberts is trying to break free.

Stark's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mcroberts throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stark.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stark keeps control of Mcroberts as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Stark's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Stark has closed the distance and engaged Mcroberts in a clinch.
Mcroberts tries to break free but Stark pushes him back against the cage.
Stark lands a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcroberts is trying to break the clinch but Stark has him pressed against the cage.
Stark stalls.

Stark successfully pulls guard.

Stark has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Mcroberts is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Stark is pushing Mcroberts up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A frustrated look appears on Mcroberts's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stark tries for a takedown but Mcroberts manages to get underhooks.
Kenny Mcroberts has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mcroberts tries to circle away but Stark has him pinned against the cage.
Tim Stark is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stark is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mcroberts is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tim Stark showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stark, 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tim Stark!