PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evander Holyfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Holyfield
vs
Sparks

188 cm
20
217 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
21
220 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evander Holyfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zack Sparks!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sparks ducks under a wild hook from Holyfield.
Holyfield is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Holyfield.
Holyfield fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A slow jab from Sparks misses its intended target.
Holyfield lands a nice looking body shot.
Holyfield fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sparks.
Sparks missing with a left hand there. Holyfield was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sparks moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sparks misses with an uppercut.
Holyfield stuns Sparks with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sparks displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Holyfield throws out the jab.
A jab from Sparks misses.
Sparks scores with a nice head shot.
Sparks throws a combination that misses
and Holyfield counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sparks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sparks has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sparks takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks lands an overhand right.
Sparks scores with a jab.
Holyfield waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sparks.
Sparks misses with a straight right.
Holyfield throws an off balance right hand
and Sparks counters with a stiff right hand.
Sparks throws a right hand that misses

and Holyfield counters with a shoot takedown. Sparks fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holyfield throws an elbow that misses. Sparks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Holyfield's guard. Nice move by Sparks!
Sparks controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sparks tries to stand but Holyfield is controlling from the bottom.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparks wants to control from the top but Holyfield keeps moving.
Holyfield 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.
Sparks must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Holyfield looking for a guillotine here but Sparks defends easily.
Holyfield keeping full guard, as Sparks tries to pass.
Sparks looking to sit in guard and control but Holyfield gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sparks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks wants to stand and escape but Holyfield is having none of it.
Holyfield missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Holyfield wants to control from the top but Sparks keeps moving.
Holyfield loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Holyfield working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Holyfield postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Holyfield trying to move into half guard but instead Sparks has managed to sweep!
Holyfield has a closed guard, preventing Sparks from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holyfield looking for a sweep. Not yet Holyfield, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Holyfield looking for a sweep. Not yet Holyfield, not yet.
Holyfield not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sparks trying to control the position from guard on top but Holyfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Holyfield is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sparks is aware though and is defending well.
Holyfield thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sparks trying to control but Holyfield is working from the bottom.
Holyfield looking for a sweep. Not yet Holyfield, not yet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Sparks stands up and waves to Holyfield to follow him.
Sparks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Holyfield.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Evander Holyfield will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sparks fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A combination from Holyfield does no damage.
Sparks misses with a body shot.
Holyfield ducks under a wild hook from Sparks.
Sparks tests Holyfield's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Holyfield tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sparks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sparks might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Holyfield takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sparks will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sparks on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sparks connects with a looping right hand.
Holyfield cracks the inside of Sparks's front leg.
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!
A nice leg kick lands there from Holyfield.
Sparks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sparks wants it to stay on the feet.
Holyfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sparks moves away.
Holyfield misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks slips a jab from Holyfield.
Holyfield scores with a jab to the jaw.
Sparks misses with a wild combination.
Holyfield looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sparks is fending him off so far but Holyfield persists. Nope, Sparks circles away and we're back to standing.
A punch lands to the side of Sparks 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sparks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sparks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sparks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Holyfield.
Sparks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Holyfield.
Sparks misses with a few strikes there.
A big right from Holyfield misses.
Holyfield throws a big shot that misses.
Holyfield uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sparks.
Sparks slips a straight right by Holyfield.
Zack Sparks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Holyfield shoots in and bounces Sparks off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holyfield trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield is standing up over Sparks. Sparks looks to escape but Holyfield dives into side control.
Holyfield lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Holyfield is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Sparks will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Holyfield misses with the ground and pound.
Holyfield controlling from side mount.
Sparks is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Holyfield is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks regains half guard there - taking advantage of Holyfield's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Holyfield with the ground and pound but Sparks uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Holyfield postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Holyfield looking to pass the guard.
Holyfield loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Holyfield looking to sit in guard and control but Sparks gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sparks would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sparks avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sparks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Holyfield is keeping the position for now.
Sparks won't allow Holyfield to sweep him here.
Sparks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sparks trying to control the position from guard on top but Holyfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holyfield is adopting a defensive guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Zack Sparks hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Holyfield scores with a three punch combo!
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 Evander Holyfield will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Holyfield misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Holyfield rushes Sparks and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sparks tries a body shot but Holyfield blocks it.
Sparks has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Holyfield working aggressively here.
Holyfield prevents Sparks from breaking the clinch.
Holyfield lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Holyfield pushes Sparks back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Holyfield missing with knees to the body.
Sparks has had enough of the clinch but Holyfield keeps him there for the moment.
Holyfield works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Holyfield tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sparks is trying to maintain a safe position but Holyfield gets an underhook and turns Sparks into the cage.
Holyfield tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sparks's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks wants to get back to striking at distance but Holyfield won't allow it.
Holyfield misses with a body punch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Holyfield.
Holyfield lands an elbow that stopped Sparks in his tracks for a moment.
Sparks wants to break free but Holyfield has control.
Holyfield digs a right hand into Sparks's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sparks's gas tank.
Sparks wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Holyfield has him pressed against the cage.
Holyfield misses with a hook to the ribs.
Holyfield working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Holyfield keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sparks's efforts to push away.
Holyfield lands a nice uppercut.
Holyfield changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sparks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sparks cracks Holyfield with a good jab.
Evander Holyfield is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparks misses with a two punch combination.
Holyfield slips under a jab.
Sparks misses with a two punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sparks on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Holyfield wants to slow Sparks down by chopping away at his legs.
Sparks lands with a straight right. Holyfield didn't see that one coming.
Sparks throws an overhand right that lands on Holyfield's shoulder, as Holyfield tries to avoid the shot.
Sparks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Holyfield.
Sparks feints a jab promting Holyfield to slip. Sparks then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Holyfield slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Sparks swinging wildly here.
Sparks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holyfield lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sparks backs up against the cage.
Holyfield works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks looks to land a combination but Holyfield avoids it well.
Sparks misses with a wild body shot.
Holyfield misses with a wild body shot.
A big right from Holyfield misses.
Holyfield slips a jab from Sparks.
A telegraphed right hand from Sparks misses the target.
Holyfield throws a hook but Sparks blocks it.
Holyfield moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Holyfield digs a good body shot into Sparks's ribs.
Holyfield throws a body punch but Sparks moves out of range.
Sparks looks to score with a jab to the body but Holyfield is just out of range.
Holyfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Holyfield throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Sparks to counter with a crisp jab.
Zack Sparks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sparks cracks a nice hook into Holyfield's ribs.
Holyfield takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Holyfield takes a swing at Sparks's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sparks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Holyfield.
Sparks scores with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sparks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Holyfield misses the target.
Sparks scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Holyfield doesn't seem bothered though.
Sparks keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Holyfield looks to score with a jab to the body but Sparks is just out of range.
A cross from Holyfield lands.
Sparks loads up on a big right hand but Holyfield slips the punch.
Sparks defending well as Holyfield loads up on a big left hand.
Holyfield misses with a wild combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sparks just misses with a punch to the body.
A combination from Sparks does no damage.
Zack Sparks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sparks misses with a straight right.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Evander Holyfield.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Holyfield, 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evander Holyfield!
Our winner, Evander Holyfield, 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.