PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alan Spence (ranked 1953 p4p, 632 weight class) and Isaac Vernon (ranked 260 p4p, 90 weight class). Spence 's entrance music is Were Coming. A fine choice. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Isaac Vernon was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Spence
vs
Vernon

185 cm
33
186
16 - 12 - 0

180 cm
30
195
19 - 13 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Alan Spence !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaac Vernon!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Phil Schofield and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Vernon crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Spence - the referee stops the clock and Vernon gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Spence . Vernon manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
We've been informed that Vernon has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Vernon slips under a jab.
Vernon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spence .
A head kick misses from Spence .
Spence misses the jab.
Vernon looks to throw the jab but Spence is out of range.
Vernon misses with a body shot
and Spence counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Spence misses with a shot to the body
and Vernon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Spence keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vernon.
Vernon scores with a leg kick.
Vernon works Spence 's body with a nice hook.
Vernon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Vernon moves out of range of the strikes.
A leg kick checked by Vernon.
Nice defenses there by Spence .
Spence digs a good body shot into Vernon's ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spence lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Spence misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon looks to land a left hand but Spence moved out of range nicely.
Vernon throws a hook to the side of Spence 's head but Spence sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Spence fires out a quick counter leg kick but Vernon just manages to avoid it.
Vernon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spence .
Spence thows a body kick. Vernon tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Vernon throws a poor cross that misses
and Spence counters with an inside leg kick.
Vernon misses with a straight left.
Spence tries a head kick but it misses.
Vernon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Spence takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Spence connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vernon's hands.
Spence will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Vernon feints a counter leg kick.
Vernon misses the jab.
Spence moves out of range of the leg kick from Vernon.
Vernon throws a body shot but no joy.
Vernon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Spence .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spence avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Spence tries to land a leg kick but Vernon saw it coming and moves away.
Vernon now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Vernon scores with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Spence just misses with a punch to the body.
Spence tries a head kick but it misses.

Spence has closed the distance and engaged Vernon in a clinch.
I was talking to Spence 's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Vernon digs a right hand underneath Spence 's ribcage. Spence let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Spence throws a punch but it's blocked by Vernon.
Vernon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Spence is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vernon is defending well for now.
Vernon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Spence with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vernon misses with the head strike.
Spence lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Spence tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vernon's elbow.
Vernon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vernon is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Spence is defending well.
Spence softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Vernon misses with a body punch.
Spence prevents a takedown attempt there.
Spence lands a right hand that snaps the head of Vernon backwards.
Vernon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vernon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Spence prevents a body shot from Vernon.
Vernon stalling in the clinch.
Spence tries a body shot but Vernon blocks it.
Vernon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vernon has a couple of punches blocked by Spence .
Vernon misses with a punch to the body.
Vernon working hard to break the clinch.
Vernon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Spence to work.
Spence swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vernon tries for a takedown but Spence manages to get underhooks.
Alan Spence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaac Vernon.
Vernon wants a takedown.
Vernon misses with a body punch.
Come on Vernon - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Spence lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Vernon is trying to push Spence away but Spence has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Spence misses with a punch to the body.
Spence slowing the pace effectively.
Vernon struggles to land a body shot inside as Spence controls his hands.
Vernon misses with a body punch.
A short left from Vernon.
Vernon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Vernon fails to land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Spence dominated that round.
That's time! Spence 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Spence connects with a body shot that sends Vernon's belly button to the back.
Vernon takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vernon takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Spence misses with a looping left.
Spence avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vernon shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Spence pinned against the cage. Spence gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Spence tried to counter with a leg kick but Vernon avoided it.
Vernon blocks a jab.
Spence cracks Vernon with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Vernon lands with a thumping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spence connects with a good right hand that stumbles Vernon. Vernon circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Spence is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vernon can do to turn this around?
Spence misses with a hook.
Spence throws out a loose jab but Vernon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vernon looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Spence bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vernon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spence .

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Spence misses
and Vernon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The fighters circling - Vernon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vernon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Spence sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Spence throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Spence forces Vernon back against the cage and clinches.
Vernon managing to block the knees to the body from Spence .
Vernon lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Spence prevents a body shot from Vernon.
Vernon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alan Spence has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Vernon is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Vernon blocks an uppercut.
Spence with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Spence .

Vernon gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Vernon is trying to control. Spence wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Vernon stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spence wants to control but Vernon is keeping busy.
Vernon is looking to take a break and control but Spence is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spence is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spence is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vernon wants to pass to mount but Spence is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spence is looking to improve his position.
Vernon is trying to control. Spence wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Spence misses with a few strikes there.
Vernon looks to land a body kick but Spence moved away.
Spence darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Spence misses with an uppercut.
Vernon throws a hook but Spence avoids it easily.
Alan Spence is winning the standup battle so far.
Spence throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Spence .
Vernon moves away from the strike by Spence .
Spence connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spence throws a sloppy body shot
and Spence takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vernon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Spence moves away.
It appears Spence was looking to counter with a kick there.
Vernon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vernon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spence .
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Vernon.
Vernon lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vernon misses the jab.
Spence throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A slow jab from Vernon misses its intended target.
A low kick lands for Vernon.
Spence misses with an uppercut. Vernon saw that one coming.
A nice side step and Vernon releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Spence uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vernon.
Spence moves out of range as Vernon strikes.
Vernon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vernon looks to throw the jab but Spence is out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alan Spence will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Spence looks to throw the jab but Vernon is out of range.
Vernon takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Vernon tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Spence slips under a jab.
Spence swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Spence slips a jab from Vernon.
It looked like Spence wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Spence fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Vernon.
Spence steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vernon.
Spence throws an overhand right that lands on Vernon's shoulder, as Vernon tries to avoid the shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Vernon lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Spence has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Spence and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Vernon is looking to score with low kicks.
Spence was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Spence throws an overhand right that lands on Vernon's shoulder, as Vernon tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vernon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Spence .
Vernon throws a body punch but Spence moves out of range.
A slow jab from Spence misses its intended target.
Spence pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vernon jabs Spence to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spence moves into range and clinches up with Vernon.
Spence lands a shoulder strike.
Vernon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Spence .
Vernon lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Spence is stalling here.
Vernon misses with the head strike.
Vernon swings wildly with an uppercut but Spence uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vernon throws a head punch that misses.
Vernon tries to work over Spence 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vernon lands a nice shot to the body.
Vernon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Spence lands with a right to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon misses with the head strike.
A short uppercut from Spence .
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Spence .
Vernon misses with some punches.
Spence scores with a shot to the side of Vernon's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spence pressing his opponent against the cage.
Spence is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Vernon is keeping busy.
Spence lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Vernon backwards.
Spence lands a right hand that snaps the head of Vernon backwards.
Vernon tries to throw a body punch but Spence avoids it by throwing Vernon back against the cage.
Spence is pressed up against the cage. Vernon has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Spence down to the mat. Spence avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Vernon misses with a looping left.
Vernon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Spence .
Alan Spence is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vernon moves out of range as Spence strikes.
Nice defenses there by Vernon.
Vernon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vernon is looking to score with low kicks.
Spence throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
It seemed like Vernon was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Alan Spence is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spence slips under a jab from Vernon.
Spence lands a leg kick that knocks Vernon off balance momentarily.
Isaac Vernon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vernon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vernon throws a leg kick but Spence checks it.
A clash of legs there as Spence blocks the low kick.
Vernon chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Spence can pounce on him.
Vernon throws a big shot that misses.
Spence misses with a wild body shot.
Spence jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vernon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Spence .
Vernon looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Vernon is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Vernon takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Decent striking displayed by Spence there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big right from Spence misses.
Vernon misses with a left hand
and Spence counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Spence tries a head kick but it misses.
Vernon is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Spence with a body shot.
Vernon does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nice defenses there by Spence .
It looked like Spence wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Spence ducks under a wild hook from Vernon.
Vernon throws a push kick but Spence slaps the foot to one side.
Vernon tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Vernon slips under a jab from Spence .

And that's the end of the fight!
Alan Spence showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Spence , 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alan Spence !
A victorious Alan Spence thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.