PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Ponting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marlo Stanfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stanfield comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Call To Greatness kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Ponting
vs
Stanfield

170 cm
26
160 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

163 cm
29
130 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ricky Ponting!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marlo Stanfield!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Eliza Hachem and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stanfield gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ponting to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ponting showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Stanfield can do anything to dispel that myth.
Stanfield keeping moving, preventing Ponting from controlling successfully.
Stanfield being controlled here, momentarily.
Ponting throws a big elbow that misses.
Ponting trying to control the position from guard on top but Stanfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stanfield really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ponting. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ricky Ponting has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Stanfield misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponting tries for a takedown but Stanfield sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stanfield throws a body punch but Ponting moves out of range.
Ponting fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Stanfield on the side of the head.
Stanfield throws a leg kick which misses Ponting's front leg but catches the back leg as Ponting tries to avoid it.
Stanfield throws a head kick that Ponting semi-blocks.
Ponting looks to land a combination but Stanfield avoids it well.
Ponting has a takedown stuffed.
Ponting throws a hook but Stanfield avoids it easily.
Stanfield wants to slow Ponting down by chopping away at his legs.
Ponting uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stanfield.
Stanfield attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stanfield tries to land a leg kick but Ponting saw it coming and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ponting is defended easily by Stanfield.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Ponting. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stanfield throws a head kick but Ponting moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponting lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stanfield circles away quickly and effectively.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ponting on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ponting lands an overhand right.
Stanfield tries to score with a low kick but Ponting moves his leg out of the way.
Stanfield throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stanfield avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stanfield misses with a body kick.
Stanfield loads up on a big right hand but Ponting slips the punch.
Ponting takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Stanfield slips a straight right by Ponting.
Ponting checks a leg kick.
Stanfield throws a leg kick which misses Ponting's front leg but catches the back leg as Ponting tries to avoid it.
Ponting throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Stanfield misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield staying out of range there.
Nice takedown defense from Stanfield. No joy for Ponting on that attempt.
Ponting shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stanfield defends it nicely.
Stanfield tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ponting missing with a left hand there. Stanfield was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stanfield throws a big shot that misses.
Ponting uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stanfield.

Ponting shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ponting passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Ponting working the head and body with strikes.
An elbow from Ponting crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield dodges the ground and pound from Ponting.
The strikes coming from Ponting are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Stanfield is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ponting is controlling him well.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stanfield tries to buck Ponting off but Ponting is having none of it.

Ponting wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Stanfield, who protects the arm well.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An elbow from Ponting crashes against the mat.
Stanfield is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ponting moves into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Ponting dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ponting ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stanfield moves away.
Stanfield fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ponting manages to avoid it.
Stanfield takes a jab right on the kisser.
Horrible takedown by Ponting or perhaps it was just good defense by Stanfield which made him look bad.
Stanfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ponting moves away.
Ponting throws a right hand that Stanfield ducks under and follows up with a left that Stanfield also avoids with ease.
Stanfield scoring well with a low kick there.
Ponting throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stanfield on the side of the head.
Ponting displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stanfield throws out the jab.
Stanfield swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Stanfield feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ponting's calf.
Stanfield misses with a double jab.
Ponting checks the leg kick nicely there.
Stanfield moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponting blocks a jab.
Stanfield looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Stanfield is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ponting ducks under a wild hook from Stanfield.
Ponting scores with a nice right hand.
Marlo Stanfield seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stanfield misses with a looping right.
Stanfield misses with a hook.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ponting.
Stanfield tries a head kick but it misses.
Stanfield is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Stanfield drops his hands momentarily and Ponting takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Stanfield takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ponting lands with an overhand left.
Ponting shoots for a double leg takedown but Stanfield sprawls well. He's pushed Ponting's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Ponting. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Stanfield catches Ponting right on the button with a cross.
Ponting scores with a hook to the body. Stanfield takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Stanfield throws a body punch but Ponting moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ponting uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stanfield.
Stanfield misses with a head kick.
Ponting misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stanfield.
Ponting lands a head shot.
Stanfield just misses with a punch to the body.
No joy there for Ponting, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stanfield works Ponting's body with a nice hook.
Ponting scores with a jab to the head.
Ponting tries to bum rush Stanfield with a series of wild strikes but Stanfield uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stanfield throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ponting.
Stanfield slips a jab and a cross from Ponting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stanfield.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stanfield.
Stanfield displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ponting throws out the jab.
Stanfield takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stanfield. Ponting does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stanfield pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ponting is out of range and Stanfield settles back down.
Ponting lands a jab.
Stanfield scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ponting scores with a decent looking hook.
Ponting fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stanfield avoids it really well and circles away.
Stanfield moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ponting misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponting avoids the head kick by Stanfield.
Ponting throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stanfield cracks Ponting with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Stanfield throws a looping overhand right but Ponting ducks down to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ponting.
Stanfield regains half guard there - taking advantage of Ponting's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Ponting throwing shots but Stanfield is blocking nicely.
Ponting 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stanfield is looking to control Ponting's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stanfield avoid being mounted?
Ponting thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stanfield's head.
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 Ricky Ponting will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Stanfield on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A head kick misses from Stanfield.
Ponting lands with a good body shot.
Stanfield swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ponting counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stanfield slips under a jab.
Ponting uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stanfield.
Ponting is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ponting looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stanfield tries to work over Ponting's front leg with a kick but Ponting checks it.
Ponting throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stanfield throws a jab but it's blocked by Ponting.
Stanfield pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stanfield takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ponting fails to land the takedown.
A big right from Ponting misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Ponting. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ponting.
Stanfield listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ponting lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A jab from Ponting misses.
Ponting throws a poor cross that misses
and Stanfield counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stanfield swings for the body but Ponting moves out of range.
Stanfield misses with a body punch
and Ponting counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ponting throws a lazy uppercut
and Stanfield counters with a thumping low kick.
Ponting swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ponting takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stanfield lands a nice hook to Ponting's body. Ponting takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
An inside leg kick lands from Stanfield.
Ponting pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Stanfield throws a nice inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ponting. Stanfield does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ponting slips a jab from Stanfield.
Stanfield turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Stanfield fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ponting is out of range.
Stanfield just misses with a punch to the body.
Ponting throws a right and a left that Stanfield avoids nicely.
Ponting throws a series of punches but Stanfield moves out of range.
Marlo Stanfield is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stanfield throws a looping overhand right but Ponting ducks down to avoid it.
Stanfield misses with a wild body shot.
Ponting throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Stanfield counters with a left to the body.
Ponting misses with a shot to the body
and Stanfield counters with an outside leg kick.
Ponting takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ponting walks into a straight right hand from Stanfield.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield throws a hook but Ponting avoids it easily.
Stanfield feints and then cracks Ponting's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ponting down.
Ponting blocks a jab.
Stanfield clobbers Ponting with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Stanfield throws a shot from downtown. Ponting moves away and avoids it.
Ponting blocks the body kick.
Stanfield tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ponting was well out of range. Poor timing from Stanfield.
Marlo Stanfield has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stanfield defending well as Ponting loads up on a big left hand.
Stanfield checks a leg kick nicely.
Ponting shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stanfield defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Ponting. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ponting misses with a looping left.
Ponting throws the left hand but Stanfield avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Stanfield defending well as Ponting loads up on a big left hand.
Ponting misses with a few strikes there.
Stanfield thows a body shot but no joy.
Stanfield swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ponting throws an overhand right that lands on Stanfield's shoulder, as Stanfield tries to avoid the shot.
Ponting on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stanfield lands a glancing blow to the side of Ponting's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stanfield keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ponting on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stanfield throws a body punch but Ponting moves out of range.
Ponting fails to land the takedown.
Ponting avoids a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marlo Stanfield comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ponting 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ricky Ponting!
After winning the bout, Ricky Ponting thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.