PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bubba Spinks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray McCool (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Bubba Spinks has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Spinks
vs
McCool

210 cm
22
276 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
20
250 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bubba Spinks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ray McCool!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by Spinks.
McCool closes this distance looking for a takedown but Spinks circles away.
McCool misses with a takedown attempt - Spinks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

McCool closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Spinks avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McCool.
Spinks works his way to full guard. Good work.
McCool postures up.

Spinks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McCool postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Spinks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McCool doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McCool manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Spinks is looking for a triangle but McCool pushes his legs off easily.

Spinks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McCool connects with a couple of short punches.
McCool postures up.
Spinks is breathing heavily.
McCool working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Spinks's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCool working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
McCool scoring with punches to the head and body.
McCool is in close to Spinks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McCool scoring with punches to the head and body.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
McCool is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Spinks has his foot on McCool's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McCool works his way back into a safe position though.
McCool landing with the ground and pound.
McCool distracts Spinks with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
McCool working some strikes from top position.
McCool landing with the ground and pound.
McCool connects with a couple of short punches.
McCool postures up and lands a big shot to Spinks's brow.
Spinks has momentary wrist control but McCool slips an elbow through the middle.
Spinks keeping full guard, as McCool tries to pass.
McCool chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCool is working Spinks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
McCool with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Spinks can't keep his opponent in guard - McCool advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ground and pound from McCool.
Spinks taking some punishment here, with McCool in his half guard.
Spinks is in trouble now - McCool has advanced to mount!
Spinks in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Spinks throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
McCool postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Spinks looks a forlorn figure.
McCool landing strikes from the mount and Spinks is in trouble!
McCool lands a big elbow.
Spinks is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCool working Spinks over with strikes here.
McCool lands a heavy elbow.
McCool landing punches.
Spinks takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
McCool lands a big shot there that rocks Spinks but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Spinks tries to reverse the position but McCool maintains control.
McCool with the ground and pound from mount.
Spinks is in a horrible position here. McCool smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Spinks can't escape the position.
McCool working the ground and pound effectively.
McCool prevents Spinks from getting the reversal.
McCool looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCool landing strikes, looking to finish!
McCool with good strikes from the mount here!
Spinks tries to hold on but McCool postures up.
McCool is landing with some decent strikes but Spinks is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Spinks tries to hold on but McCool pushes him away.
McCool dominating with strikes here.
McCool unloading with bombs!
McCool lands a heavy elbow.
McCool landing shots from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCool scoring with strikes but Spinks is staying in there.
McCool scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McCool with the ground and pound from mount.
McCool lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Spinks hang on?
Spinks wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by McCool.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray McCool dominated that 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.

McCool shoots in for a double leg but Spinks sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Spinks paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Spinks swings away with a leg kick that misses.
McCool fails with the takedown.
The fighters circle momentarily. Spinks darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Jab by Spinks.
Spinks throws a right and a left that both miss.
McCool tries for a takedown but Spinks sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bubba Spinks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray McCool.
Spinks throws a one two combo.
Spinks lands a head shot.
McCool shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Spinks pinned against the cage. Spinks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Spinks connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Spinks displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

McCool feints and as Spinks raises his hands in defense, McCool changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Spinks looking for a guillotine here but McCool defends easily.
Spinks is trying to control the position but McCool postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCool is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McCool working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McCool postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Spinks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McCool can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Spinks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McCool chips away with some ground and pound.
McCool cracks Spinks with a solid left hand.

McCool avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McCool advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCool lands an elbow.
McCool working the ground and pound.
Spinks tries to improve position but can't.
Spinks taking punishment in the form of punches.
Spinks is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Spinks's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McCool lands a nice forearm strike.
McCool is putting a hurting on Spinks here, landing some big shots from side control.
McCool scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spinks is trying to control McCool's posture but McCool avoids it.
McCool working the ground and pound from side control.
Spinks is working to avoid the ground and pound but McCool connects with a decent elbow.
Spinks takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
McCool misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Spinks is working to avoid the ground and pound but McCool connects with a decent elbow.
McCool is putting a hurting on Spinks here, landing some big shots from side control.
McCool creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Spinks sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
McCool working the head with strikes.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for McCool. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Spinks is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Spinks is trying to control McCool's posture but McCool avoids it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

McCool scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Spinks manages to get back to half guard.
McCool working over Spinks with some ground and pound. Spinks looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCool landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
McCool takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. McCool lands a nice short elbow.
McCool landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Spinks punching from the bottom.
McCool has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McCool working Spinks over with strikes.
Spinks tries to kick McCool off but McCool keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Spinks shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Spinks stuffs the takedown.
McCool looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Spinks is fending him off so far but McCool persists. Nope, Spinks circles away and we're back to standing.
Spinks stuffs the takedown attempt from McCool. McCool gets slowly back to his feet.
McCool takes a jab right on the kisser.
Spinks scores with a three punch combo!
Spinks is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
McCool shoots in for a double leg but Spinks sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McCool drops his hands momentarily and Spinks takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
McCool looks for a takedown but Spinks sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray McCool showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

A cross from Spinks lands.

McCool drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Spinks sneaks back into half guard.
McCool is nestled in close to Spinks, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
McCool scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
McCool throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Spinks actively working from the bottom here.

Spinks is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but McCool pulls his head out easily.
Spinks wants to improve his position but McCool is controlling well.
Spinks taking some punishment here, with McCool in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCool working Spinks over with strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Spinks is looking to escape.
McCool lands with a punch from half guard.

Spinks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McCool prevents Spinks from improving his position.
McCool is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
McCool working Spinks over with strikes.

Spinks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ray McCool has got the better of the ground game so far.
Spinks is looking to improve his position.
McCool lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McCool working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Spinks actively working from the bottom here.
Spinks taking some punishment here, with McCool in his half guard.
Spinks won't allow McCool to pass to mount.
McCool looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Spinks trying to control but McCool postures up.
McCool is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Spinks with a hook.

McCool shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than McCool was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Spinks bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
McCool throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCool is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
McCool working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
McCool is thwarting Spinks's attempts to control the position.
McCool is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
McCool is pressing down on Spinks's thigh, looking to free his foot. Spinks is holding on for now.

Spinks is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but McCool pulls his head out easily.
McCool works his foot free and advances to mount.
BOOM! McCool connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCool connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Spinks can't escape the position.
Spinks wants to hold on but McCool pushes him away.
McCool dominating with strikes here.
McCool working the ground and pound effectively.
McCool avoids the attempt from Spinks to control.
Spinks throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Spinks is in all sorts of trouble here.
Spinks wants to hold on but McCool pushes him away.
McCool lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Spinks hang on?
McCool in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Bubba Spinks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ray McCool is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McCool blocks Spinks's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Spinks is trying desperately to improve position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray McCool comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McCool winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray McCool!