PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tad Ghostal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ghostal's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Good King Wenceslas. Spencer comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ride Of The Valkyries - Richard Wagner kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Tad Ghostal has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ghostal
vs
Spencer

183 cm
32
145 lbs
29 - 12 - 0

170 cm
33
157 lbs
21 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

Sex Panther! (160q recovery $149)

Meet the Future
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tad Ghostal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mark Spencer!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Spencer.
Ghostal 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.
We've been hearing reports that Ghostal has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Spencer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ghostal lands a nice looking body shot.
Ghostal scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ghostal really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Spencer connects with a single shot there.
Ghostal ducks under a wild hook from Spencer.
Ghostal tries to land a front kick but Spencer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Spencer jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ghostal dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ghostal moves out of range as Spencer throws a body kick.
Ghostal lands with a shot to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Spencer checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Spencer has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Ghostal takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Spencer throws a jab when Ghostal was well out of range.
Spencer moves out of range of the strikes.
Ghostal does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer connects with an inside leg kick.
Spencer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ghostal counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ghostal takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Spencer tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ghostal defends well and Spencer ends up having to push Ghostal into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ghostal is working Spencer over against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Spencer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Spencer closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ghostal to the mat! Ghostal manages to get full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Spencer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ghostal is on top in guard.
Ghostal works over Spencer with some ground and pound from guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ghostal is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Spencer has control of Ghostal's left arm, preventing Ghostal from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Spencer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Spencer keeping full guard, as Ghostal tries to pass.
Ghostal trying to control but Spencer is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Good shot there by Spencer.
A jab from Spencer misses.
Ghostal swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ghostal scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ghostal scores with a jab to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Ghostal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ghostal manages to avoid it.
Spencer cracks Ghostal with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ghostal with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ghostal moves out of range of the strikes.
Spencer slips a jab from Ghostal.
Ghostal loads up on a big right hand but Spencer slips the punch.
Ghostal is looking to wear down Spencer with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Spencer lands a jab to the head.
Ghostal throws a head kick that misses.
Ghostal moves out of range of the strikes.
Ghostal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Spencer.
The fighters circling - Spencer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ghostal throws an off balance right hand
and Spencer counters with a nice body shot.
Spencer looks to land a left hand but Ghostal moved out of range nicely.
A clash of legs there as Spencer blocks the low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Spencer scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ghostal wants to get back to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spencer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ghostal keeps working.
Ghostal makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ghostal.
Ghostal looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Spencer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ghostal swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ghostal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Spencer stopping the sweep attempt from Ghostal.
Ghostal has his hands on Spencer's head, controlling the position.
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 Tad Ghostal will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ghostal moves out of range as Spencer strikes.
A slow jab from Spencer misses its intended target.
Spencer drops his hands momentarily and Ghostal takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Spencer gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ghostal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Mark Spencer has been cut.
Ghostal lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tad Ghostal is winning the standup battle so far.
Ghostal checks a leg kick.
Ghostal misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Spencer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Spencer misses with a wild body shot.
Spencer throws a quick inside leg kick.
Spencer shoots for a takedown but Ghostal saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ghostal wants to land a leg kick but Spencer is out of range.
Spencer with a poor takedown
and Ghostal counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Ghostal. No joy for Spencer on that attempt.
Tad Ghostal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Spencer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer throws a body punch but Ghostal moves out of range.
Spencer misses with a hook to the body
and Ghostal makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Spencer is breathing heavily.
Ghostal scores with a sloppy right hand. Spencer should have avoided that one.
Spencer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ghostal can pounce on him.
A jab lands there for Ghostal.

Spencer is rocked!
Ghostal lands with a thumping leg kick.
Spencer is still on wobbly legs! Can Ghostal finish him?
Ghostal throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Spencer seems to have recovered his senses.
Spencer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Ghostal finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Spencer has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ghostal finds it's way round the side to connect with Spencer's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spencer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ghostal can pounce on him.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ghostal sprawls well. Ghostal wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Spencer gets slowly back to his feet.
Ghostal feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Spencer's calf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer avoids the head kick by Ghostal.
Spencer lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ghostal circles away quickly and effectively.
Tad Ghostal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ghostal bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Spencer's head backwards.
Ghostal lands a nice looking kick to the body. Spencer takes a step back to recover.
Spencer misses with a straight left.
Ghostal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Spencer sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Spencer darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Spencer trying to pass the guard but Ghostal defending well.
Spencer prevents Ghostal from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal is looking to escape.
Spencer wants to take a breather but Ghostal is having none of it.
Spencer throwing shots but Ghostal is blocking nicely.
Ghostal tries to roll over but Spencer keeps him under control.
Ghostal manages to get to full guard.
Ghostal working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Spencer.
Mark Spencer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ghostal bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Spencer's guard.
Ghostal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ghostal is controlling Spencer's position as best he can from this difficult position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ghostal trying to control but Spencer postures up.
Spencer is nestled in close to Ghostal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ghostal blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spencer.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spencer looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Spencer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Spencer is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Spencer lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mark Spencer's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Ghostal bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Spencer's head backwards.
A combination from Spencer does no damage.
Spencer connects with a body shot that sends Ghostal's belly button to the back.
Ghostal connects with a leg kick. Spencer looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Spencer lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ghostal has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ghostal and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ghostal is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ghostal connects with a nice looking jab.
Ghostal throws a leg kick but Spencer sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ghostal lands with a straight right. Spencer didn't see that one coming.
Spencer takes a swing at Ghostal's ribcage but misses.
Spencer checks a leg kick nicely.
Ghostal thows a body shot but no joy.
Spencer misses with a left hand
and Ghostal counters with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal misses with a hook.
Ghostal works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ghostal moves in looking to clinch but Spencer pushes him off.
Spencer misses with a takedown attempt - Ghostal sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Spencer blocks a leg kick.
Ghostal connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Spencer scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ghostal is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ghostal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spencer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Spencer misses with a hook.
Ghostal throws a series of punches but Spencer moves out of range.
Spencer misses with an uppercut. Ghostal saw that one coming.
Ghostal avoids the body shot from Spencer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer throws a low kick, looking for Ghostal's leg but Ghostal calmly moves out of range.
Spencer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ghostal keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Spencer.
Spencer moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mark Spencer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ghostal tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Spencer on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Spencer throws an off balance right hand
and Ghostal makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Spencer really felt that one!
Spencer misses with a left hand
and Ghostal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ghostal misses with a low kick as Spencer jumps back.
Spencer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ghostal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ghostal fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spencer manages to avoid it.
Ghostal cracks Spencer with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ghostal misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ghostal turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Spencer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ghostal.
Ghostal connects with a crisp jab.
Spencer takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Spencer closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Spencer lands in his opponent's guard.
Ghostal is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ghostal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Spencer works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal controlling the position for now.
Ghostal wants to get back to full guard.
Spencer passes into side control, despite Ghostal's attempt to control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spencer wants to control but Ghostal is keeping him busy.
Spencer tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ghostal is trying to improve his position.
Mark Spencer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer lands a few punches from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tad Ghostal showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ghostal, 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tad Ghostal!
Tad Ghostal made sure to mention his sponsor, Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q in his post fight interview.