PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Otis Driftwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sparks
vs
Driftwood

185 cm
22
190 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

178 cm
21
195 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tommy Sparks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Otis Driftwood!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Driftwood throws a sloppy head kick and Sparks moves out of range easily.
Sparks misses the jab.
Sparks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Driftwood.
Sparks misses with an uppercut. Driftwood saw that one coming.
Driftwood moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Driftwood as he connects with a hook.
Sparks tries to work over Driftwood's front leg with a kick but Driftwood checks it.
Sparks with a jab.
Driftwood throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sparks's head.
Sparks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sparks avoids the head kick by Driftwood.

Sparks fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Driftwood, pushing him back against the cage.
Sparks tries to score a body lock takedown but Driftwood shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sparks is looking to break free of the clinch but Driftwood has double underhooks.
Driftwood working aggressively here.
Sparks gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Driftwood.
Driftwood looking to throw knees to the head but Sparks is blocking nicely.

Sparks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sparks drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sparks connects with a couple of short punches.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sparks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Driftwood is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sparks throws a big right hand that misses.
Driftwood not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sparks trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sparks is in close to Driftwood's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Driftwood is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Driftwood working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Sparks's thigh. Sparks counters though and makes it back to full guard.
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!

Sparks pushes Driftwood off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Sparks.
Sparks avoids the head kick by Driftwood.
Sparks cracks Driftwood with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Driftwood pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Driftwood throws a right hand that Sparks ducks under and follows up with a left that Sparks also avoids with ease.
Driftwood lands a head kick!
Horrible takedown by Sparks or perhaps it was just good defense by Driftwood which made him look bad.
Driftwood throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Sparks gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Sparks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Driftwood.
Driftwood uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sparks.
Sparks shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sparks takes a swing at Driftwood's ribcage but misses.
Sparks has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Driftwood.

Sparks is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Driftwood's half guard.
Driftwood trying to hold on to Sparks's head to control him but Sparks postures up.
Sparks not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Driftwood trying to control here.
Sparks seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Sparks is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sparks prevents Driftwood from improving his position.

That's four 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!
Driftwood regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Sparks.
Driftwood manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sparks manages to get himself to full guard.
Sparks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Sparks is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sparks as Driftwood tries to tie him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Driftwood feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sparks's calf.
Sparks tries a head kick but it misses.
Otis Driftwood is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice body kick from Driftwood.
Sparks tries to land a front kick but Driftwood steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Driftwood tries a head kick but it misses.
Driftwood lands with a kick to the temple. Sparks shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Sparks loads up on a big right hand but Driftwood slips the punch.
Driftwood tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Driftwood darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sparks thows a body shot but no joy.
Sparks throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
No joy there for Driftwood, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tommy Sparks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Driftwood lands with a kick to the temple. Sparks shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Sparks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sparks throws a chopping leg kick but Driftwood manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Driftwood moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sparks moves into the clinch successfully.
Driftwood jumps guard but Sparks stands there with Driftwood around his waist. Driftwood gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Driftwood tries to land a knee to the head but Sparks blocks with his arms.

Sparks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Driftwood lands an overhand right.
A jab lands there for Sparks.
Driftwood misses with a head kick.
Driftwood throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Driftwood staying out of range there.
A nice combination there by Sparks.
Driftwood stuffs the takedown attempt from Sparks. Sparks gets slowly back to his feet.
Driftwood walks into a jab.
Otis Driftwood is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sparks is looking to land body kicks.
Sparks wants to clinch.
Driftwood keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Driftwood lands a high kick!
Sparks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Driftwood tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sparks is able to avoid easily.
Driftwood throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Driftwood ducks under a wild hook from Sparks.
Sparks throws a sloppy head kick and Driftwood moves out of range easily.
Sparks throws a head kick but Driftwood moves out of range.
Driftwood keeps the fight on the outside.
Driftwood tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Sparks has Driftwood up against the cage in a clinch.
Driftwood misses with the head strike.
Driftwood is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Sparks breaks the clinch.
Driftwood lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sparks's sensitive parts.
Sparks tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Driftwood lands with a nice body kick.
Driftwood throws a leg kick which misses Sparks's front leg but catches the back leg as Sparks tries to avoid it.
Driftwood throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Driftwood throws a head kick but Sparks moves out of range.
Sparks avoids the head kick by Driftwood.
That kick from Sparks tenderised Driftwood's leg. Driftwood is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sparks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Driftwood lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sparks will feel that in the morning.
Sparks fails in his attempt to clinch.
Driftwood misses with a few strikes there.
Sparks misses with a low kick.

Sparks gets a clinch.
Driftwood jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sparks walks away with a smile on his face. Driftwood gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sparks swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Driftwood counter with a right hand.
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!
Sparks tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Driftwood swivels and escapes.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Driftwood, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Driftwood throws a head kick but Sparks moves out of range.
Otis Driftwood seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sparks throws a left and a right that both miss
and Driftwood counters with a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Driftwood checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A big right from Sparks misses.

Sparks fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Driftwood, pushing him back against the cage.
Driftwood stops a takedown attempt from Sparks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Sparks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sparks tries for a takedown but Driftwood manages to get underhooks.
Sparks drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Driftwood just leaning against Sparks, taking a breather.
With the fighters up against the cage, Driftwood throws an elbow but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Driftwood misses with a short punch on the inside.

Driftwood breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sparks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Driftwood lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Otis Driftwood will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Driftwood throws a nice head kick!
Sparks pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Driftwood lands a nice looking body kick.
Sparks takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Driftwood.
A head kick by Sparks misses
and Driftwood counters with a nice leg kick.
A solid body kick from Driftwood.
Driftwood feints and then cracks Sparks's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sparks down.
Sparks tries to clinch up.
Sparks misses with a straight right.
Driftwood blocks a jab.
Driftwood throws a head kick that misses.
Sparks throws a head kick that misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Driftwood.
Driftwood avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Driftwood lands a nice hook to Sparks's body. Sparks takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Driftwood feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sparks's calf.
Sparks moves out of range as Driftwood throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Sparks misses its intended target.
Driftwood throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sparks's head.
Sparks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Driftwood connects with a leg kick. Sparks looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A good leg kick by Driftwood.
Driftwood lands a nice looking body kick.
Driftwood avoids the body shot from Sparks.
Sparks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sparks takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Horrible takedown by Sparks or perhaps it was just good defense by Driftwood which made him look bad.
Driftwood lands a jab to the nose.
Sparks tries to clinch
and Driftwood counters with a good low kick that Sparks was not able to check.
Driftwood throws a head kick that half lands.
Driftwood pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sparks throws a head kick that misses.
Sparks is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Driftwood scores with a push kick.
Sparks will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Driftwood lands a head kick!
Sparks pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Driftwood.
Driftwood misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Sparks.
Sparks has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Driftwood.
Sparks lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Driftwood throws a head kick that misses.
Driftwood pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sparks scores with a leg kick.
Sparks feints a jab promting Driftwood to slip. Sparks then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Driftwood slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Driftwood defending well as Sparks loads up on a big left hand.
Driftwood throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A head kick misses from Sparks.
Driftwood throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sparks's jab looks to have found its range, popping Driftwood under the eye.
Driftwood takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sparks swings widly with a right hand
and Driftwood counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A punch combination from Driftwood misses.
Sparks lands a lovely overhand right.
Driftwood moves out of range of the strikes.
Sparks blocks a head kick by Driftwood.
Sparks throws a good cross that connects.
Sparks lands the left hand.
Sparks closes this distance looking for a takedown but Driftwood circles away.
Sparks misses the shot to the body.
Sparks tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Driftwood lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Driftwood throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sparks is looking to clinch but Driftwood is avoiding it.
Driftwood lands with a thumping leg kick.
Driftwood scores with a nice body kick.
Sparks avoids the head kick by Driftwood.
Sparks pushes Driftwood away with a front kick.
Driftwood is looking to slow Sparks down with leg kicks.
Sparks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Driftwood plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Sparks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sparks scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Driftwood throws a half hearted mid kick.
Driftwood avoids the head kick by Sparks.
Sparks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sparks throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Otis Driftwood comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Driftwood has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Otis Driftwood!