PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Loke Sabel (ranked 5619 p4p, 4635 weight class) and Robin Spencer (ranked 625 p4p, 584 weight class). Robin Spencer told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sabel
vs
Spencer

182 cm
18
214
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
18
210
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Loke Sabel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Robin Spencer!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Ivan Kurochkin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spencer ducks under a wild hook from Sabel.
And Spencer tries to counter it with a takedown but Sabel pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sabel fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sabel.
Spencer looks for a takedown but Sabel sprawls well.
Sabel feinted with a counter takedown.
Spencer dives in and grabs Sabel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sabel pushes down on Spencer's head and hops out.
Spencer is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sabel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Loke Sabel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robin Spencer.
Sabel throws a looping overhand right but Spencer ducks down to avoid it.
Loke Sabel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sabel thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sabel decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Spencer is holding on to half guard well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spencer wants to control but Sabel is keeping busy.
Spencer is positioning himself well to prevent Sabel advancing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer is not content to let Sabel control the position.
Spencer regains full guard. Nicely done.
Spencer pulls Sabel in close to prevent any damage.
Sabel lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Spencer is controlling Sabel's posture.
Spencer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sabel is one step ahead there.
Sabel trying to control the position from guard on top but Spencer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sabel working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sabel has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Spencer has Sabel pulled in close to control his posture.

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.

Spencer is looking for a triangle but Sabel pushes his legs off easily.
Sabel throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Spencer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Spencer has control of Sabel's left arm, preventing Sabel from doing any damage.
Sabel is looking to work some ground and pound but Spencer has wrist control.
Spencer is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sabel preventing the sweep.
Sabel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Spencer wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Sabel is looking to work some ground and pound but Spencer has wrist control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Spencer pulls Sabel in close to prevent any damage.
Sabel stands up over Spencer, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We've been hearing that Sabel has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sabel is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sabel throwing shots but Spencer is blocking nicely.
Spencer moves into full guard.
Sabel working some strikes from top position.
Sabel scoring with some ground and pound.
Spencer looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Spencer trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabel trying to control but Spencer is working from the bottom.
Sabel throwing strikes but missing.
Sabel wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.
Sabel landing some decent shots from guard.
Spencer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sabel wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spencer trying to control the position.
Spencer has control of Sabel's left arm, preventing Sabel from doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Loke Sabel dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sabel tries for a takedown but Spencer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Spencer throws a hook but Sabel avoids it easily.

Sabel feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Spencer working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sabel.
Sabel not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sabel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spencer can do to turn this around?
Spencer keeping moving, preventing Sabel from controlling successfully.
Spencer looking for a sweep. Not yet Spencer, not yet.
Sabel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Spencer is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spencer controlling the position.
Loke Sabel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spencer tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sabel wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sabel works over Spencer with some ground and pound from guard.
Spencer pulls Sabel in close to prevent any damage.
Spencer wants to sweep but no luck.
Spencer looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sabel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Spencer pushes a forearm under Sabel's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Sabel is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Robin Spencer!
Our winner, Robin Spencer, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.