PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Overbury (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stark comes into the arena with Dance Hall Days blaring out of the sound system. Overbury comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Rule Britannia kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! On his way into the cage it seems that Johnny Stark has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Johnny Stark seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Stark
vs
Overbury

190 cm
27
236 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

193 cm
27
263 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thomas Overbury!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Dean Styles and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stark missing with a left hand there. Overbury was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stark tries to clinch there but Overbury circles away.
Overbury with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stark to score with a decent uppercut.
Stark throws out a loose jab but Overbury uses good head movement to avoid it.
Overbury pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Overbury slaps away a takedown attempt from Stark, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Overbury takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overbury looks to throw the jab but Stark is out of range.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Overbury thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fighters circling - Overbury throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Overbury manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Overbury. Stark does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stark lands with a straight right. Overbury didn't see that one coming.
Stark bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Overbury looks to throw the jab but Stark is out of range.
Overbury tries for a takedown but Stark sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Stark shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Overbury napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Overbury tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Overbury taking a bit of punishment here - Stark scoring with strikes.
Stark throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Stark 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.
Overbury takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Overbury manages to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overbury pushes Stark off looking to stand but Stark dives back in and keeps control.
Stark takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stark throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stark sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Overbury defending well though.
Overbury has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stark is working away from the top position though.
Stark throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Overbury is pressing down on Stark's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stark trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Overbury 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stark is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Overbury is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Overbury is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Overbury throwing shots but Stark is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark moves into full guard.

Overbury got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stark has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Overbury has managed to get both his arms back between Stark's legs - danger averted.
Overbury controlling from the top position.

Stark looking for a guillotine here but Overbury defends easily.
Overbury is looking to work some ground and pound but Stark has wrist control.

Stark working for a triangle but Overbury defends it easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Overbury scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stark throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Overbury throwing strikes but missing.
Stark preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Overbury postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Overbury throws a big right hand that misses.
Stark looking to control.

Stark had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Overbury defends it easily.
Overbury stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stark swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Stark had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Overbury defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Stark dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Overbury lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Overbury looks to land a left hand but Stark moved out of range nicely.
Stark is looking to score with low kicks.
Overbury misses with the combination.
A big right from Overbury misses.
Overbury misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overbury thuds a left hand into Stark's body.
Stark throws a combination that misses
and Overbury counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Overbury throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Stark gets a clinch.
Overbury tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stark avoids it.
Overbury makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Stark misses with a punch on the inside.
Stark is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Stark lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Overbury blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stark lands a shot to the body.
Overbury throws an elbow that misses.
Overbury leaning against his opponent.
Stark goes for a takedown in the clinch but Overbury prevents it.
Overbury blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overbury lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short left from Overbury.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Overbury working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Overbury blocking some punches.
Stark blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Overbury throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Overbury pushes Stark back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stark is leaning against Overbury and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Overbury has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Stark lands a body punch.
Overbury blocks an uppercut.
Overbury lands an uppercut.
Stark tries to throw a body punch but Overbury avoids it by throwing Stark back against the cage.
Stark wants a takedown but no success here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Overbury misses with a knee to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Stark has Overbury pressed against the cage, preventing Overbury from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stark blocks the elbow strike.
Overbury comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Overbury lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stark backwards.
Overbury dodges an elbow strike from Stark.
Overbury misses with a hook from the clinch.

Overbury's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A punch combination from Overbury misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Overbury misses with a shot to the body

and Stark counters with a nice double leg into side control. Overbury won't be happy with that.
Overbury tries to improve position but can't.
Stark works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Overbury is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Stark asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Overbury is letting Stark control him for a moment.
Overbury is looking to reverse the position.
Stark cracks Overbury with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Stark cracks Overbury with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Stark cracks Overbury with a big right hand but Overbury just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overbury has one of Stark's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Overbury is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Stark's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Overbury taking some punishment here, with Stark in his half guard.
Overbury is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stark scores with a couple of nice shots.
Stark wants to lay and pray for a moment but Overbury keeps working.
Overbury has hold of Stark's hands but Stark slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stark connects with a nice short shot to Overbury's temple.
Stark seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Overbury is trying to stand back up but Stark is controlling him
Stark is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Stark lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Overbury misses with a straight left.
Overbury moves out of range as Stark strikes.
Overbury throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stark sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Overbury thows a left - swing and a miss!
A swing and a miss from Stark.
Stark keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overbury looks to land a right hand but Stark moved out of range.
Overbury is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A left lands for Stark.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overbury throws an overhand right that lands on Stark's shoulder, as Stark tries to avoid the shot.
A swing and a miss from Overbury.
Stark takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Overbury ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stark moves away.
Overbury walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stark shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Overbury but Overbury pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Overbury throws a hook to the side of Stark's head but Stark sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stark misses with a takedown
and Overbury counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stark uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Overbury.
Stark connects with a jab.
Overbury throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Overbury clinches but Stark breaks the clinch
and Stark counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Stark misses with a hook.
Overbury throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stark tries to bum rush Overbury with a series of wild strikes but Overbury uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Overbury.
Stark avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thomas Overbury is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stark ducks under a wild hook from Overbury.

Overbury feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Stark sprawling to the canvas! Stark rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Overbury finish him?!

Stark is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A telegraphed right hand from Overbury misses the target.
Overbury misses with a shot to the body
and Stark counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Overbury takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Overbury lands a nice hook to Stark's body. Stark takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Stark displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Overbury throws out the jab.
Overbury loads up on a big right hand but Stark slips the punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch but Overbury swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Overbury avoids the body shot from Stark.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Overbury comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stark has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight for Thomas Overbury!
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight for Thomas Overbury!
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight for Thomas Overbury!

Thomas Overbury wins by unanimous decision!