PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tony Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Larsen Simonds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tony Sparks could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Larsen Simonds's chin.

Sparks
vs
Simonds

182 cm
22
215 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tony Sparks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Larsen Simonds!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simonds fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Simonds as Sparks shoots in.

Sparks shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sparks looking to pass the guard.
Sparks preventing the sweep.
Sparks wants to pass the guard but Simonds is keeping the position.
Sparks is looking to stand up but Simonds won't let him.
Sparks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sparks is looking to work some ground and pound but Simonds has wrist control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Sparks works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Sparks missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Simonds fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sparks sprawls well initially but Simonds persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sparks wants to get back to his feet.
Simonds wants to stand up but Sparks has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Sparks manages to get to full guard.

Sparks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Simonds can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sparks is breathing heavily.
Simonds tries to stand but Sparks is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sparks is looking for a triangle but Simonds pushes his legs off easily.
Simonds trying to control but Sparks is working from the bottom.
Simonds postures up.

Sparks is looking for a triangle but Simonds pushes his legs off easily.

Sparks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sparks looking for a sweep. Not yet Sparks, not yet.
Simonds trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sparks had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Simonds is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sparks Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Simonds's back instead.

Sparks tightening his grip on Simonds, looking for the choke.
Simonds rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Simonds can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sparks tries to stand but can't do so whilst Simonds controls his leg.

Sparks wants to work for an arm triangle but Simonds is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sparks prevents Simonds from standing back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Simonds shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Simonds was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Simonds looking to control but Sparks is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
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 Tony Sparks will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sparks blocks a low kick nicely.
Simonds tries for a takedown but Sparks circles away easily

and Sparks counters with a takedown into side control.
Sparks staying calm.
Simonds takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sparks tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Simonds is trying to control Sparks's posture but Sparks avoids it.
Sloppy strikes there by Sparks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Simonds is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Sparks is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Simonds knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Simonds is looking for a sweep.
Sparks moves into full mount!
Simonds is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Sparks is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Simonds is surviving well by controlling Sparks's body position as best he can.

Sparks is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Simonds is surviving well by controlling Sparks's body position as best he can.
Simonds is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sparks looking to ground and pound but Simonds is blocking nicely.
Simonds tries to hold on but Sparks postures up.
Simonds really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simonds wants to control but Sparks is having none of it.
Sparks landing strikes from the mount and Simonds is in trouble!
Simonds can't escape the position.
Simonds tries to hold on but Sparks postures up.
Simonds tries to reverse the position but Sparks maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Poor strikes thrown by Sparks there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Simonds holds on for dear life.

Sparks is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Simonds has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Sparks looking to control but Simonds is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sparks goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Simonds is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Simonds shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Simonds trying to control but Sparks is having none of it.
Sparks bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Sparks is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Simonds is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Simonds has escaped and now he's on top!

Sparks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Simonds gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sparks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Simonds gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Simonds trying to control but Sparks is working from the bottom.

Simonds stands up and waves to Sparks to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Simonds shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Sparks wants to get back to full guard.
Simonds wants to stand but Sparks has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Sparks works his way to full guard. Good work.

Sparks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Simonds gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Simonds really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sparks. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Simonds gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simonds misses with a takedown

and Sparks counters with a single leg into guard. Simonds didn't expect that.
Simonds is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sparks stops Simonds from standing up.
Sparks wants to control from the top but Simonds keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sparks drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Sparks as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Simonds screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Sparks! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Tony Sparks!