PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Billy Batts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darren Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Batts's entrance music is Pro-pain - Make war (not love) . A fine choice. This should be fireworks!

Batts
vs
Sparks

186 cm
36
203 lbs
31 - 17 - 0

185 cm
30
200 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Speedy Supps + Laundry

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 31 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Billy Batts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Darren Sparks!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, John Mangel and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batts tries to land a leg kick but Sparks saw it coming and moves away.
An inside leg kick lands from Batts.
A head kick misses from Batts.
Sparks blocks a jab.
Batts has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Beast II in the buildup to the fight.
Sparks gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Batts lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Batts fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sparks manages to avoid it.
Batts throws a sloppy head kick and Sparks moves out of range easily.
Batts misses with a leg kick

and Sparks counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Batts has his hands clasped together around Sparks's back. He's all about the action.
Sparks missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batts is looking to improve his position.
Sparks trying to pass the guard but Batts defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sparks is trying to control the action in half guard but Batts is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Batts won't allow Sparks to pass to mount.
Sparks is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparks fails to take his opponent's back.

Sparks moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Batts has worked his arm free - good work by Batts!

Sparks is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Batts has escaped the position, nice work there.
Batts is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Sparks is trying to get an arm triangle but Batts is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batts tries to improve position but can't.
Sparks misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Sparks goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Batts has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sparks but great work by Batts.
Batts tries to stand but Sparks is controlling his head.
Sparks tries to bench press Batts off him but Batts keeps the position.
Sparks felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Sparks is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Batts controls the position from side control.
Batts tries to stand but Sparks is controlling his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batts tries to move into full mount but can't pass Sparks's legs.
Sparks tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Batts wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Batts wants to stand but Sparks has his arm trapped.
Sparks tries to improve position but can't.
Batts content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Sparks wants to control but Batts postures up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sparks is looking for a sweep.
Batts is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Sparks's shoulder. That is not cool.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Darren Sparks will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sparks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Batts.
Sparks chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Batts can pounce on him.
Batts connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Batts connects with a crisp jab.
Sparks chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Batts can pounce on him.
Batts walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sparks checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sparks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Batts.
Batts throws a hook but Sparks blocks it.
Batts tried to score with a low kick but Sparks checks it.
A low kick from Batts misses

so Sparks counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batts seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sparks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Batts is keeping the position for now.
Sparks keeps trying to improve his position.
Sparks preventing the sweep.
Batts keeping full guard, as Sparks tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batts is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Batts keeping moving, preventing Sparks from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Billy Batts just wasn't active enough.
Batts throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Batts fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sparks has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Batts throws a leg kick that is checked

and Sparks counters with a single leg into guard. Batts didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sparks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Batts manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Batts avoids the attempt from Sparks to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Darren Sparks has got the better of the ground game so far.
Batts controlling his opponent.
Sparks is looking to get to half guard.
Sparks regains half guard.
Sparks trying to control from the bottom.
Batts prevents Sparks from improving his position.
Batts performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Billy Batts.
Sparks slips under a jab.
Sparks blocks a head kick by Batts.
Billy Batts seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Batts lands with a nice body punch.
Batts tests Sparks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Batts swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Sparks counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Sparks is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Sparks is trying to control the action in half guard but Batts is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Darren Sparks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sparks moves out of range of the body kick from Batts.
Batts throws a leg kick

and Sparks counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Batts keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sparks looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Batts is trying to maintain the position but Sparks is very close to passing his half guard.
Batts is in trouble now - Sparks has advanced to mount!
Sparks throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Batts because Sparks loaded up on that one.
Batts tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sparks goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Batts is on top in guard.
Batts is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Batts preventing the sweep.

Sparks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Batts is aware though and is defending well.
Batts controls from within his opponent's guard.
Batts is pushing down on Sparks's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sparks is fighting to maintain full guard but Batts has managed to sneak the leg through.
Batts not doing much here.
Sparks trying to control but Batts postures up.
Batts controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparks tries to roll over but Batts keeps him under control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Billy Batts wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Batts connects with an inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A leg kick checked by Sparks.
Sparks stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Batts.
Batts feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sparks's calf.
Sparks blocks a low kick nicely.
Billy Batts is winning the standup battle so far.

Batts closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Batts connects with a knee to the head.
Batts throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batts blocks a body shot from Sparks.
Sparks wants a takedown.
Batts utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Sparks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Batts crunches a lovely knee into Sparks's ribcage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Batts.
Knees in the clinch landing for Batts.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Batts.
Batts landing some nice looking knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Batts lands a knee to the body.
Batts makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Batts unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sparks lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Billy Batts has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Batts lands a body punch in the clinch.
Batts crunches a lovely knee into Sparks's ribcage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Batts.
Batts is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Batts lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batts unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sparks lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A body shot lands from Batts.

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

Batts moves into the clinch.
Sparks takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sparks struggles to land a body shot inside as Batts controls his hands.
Batts scores with a shot to the side of Sparks's head.

Batts manages to break the clinch.
Sparks walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Darren Sparks is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sparks's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Batts rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sparks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Batts misses with an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Billy Batts showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sparks 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darren Sparks!
Darren Sparks very nearly forgot to thank CEC Nutrition Q160 amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.