PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Clark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ikki De Fenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying De Fenix's choice of entrance music: Killing Inside. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Clark
vs
De Fenix

180 cm
26
182 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
175 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Clark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ikki De Fenix!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Clark shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. De Fenix is trying to defend but Clark finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Clark throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Clark stalling away here and it's allowed De Fenix to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Clark stays in close to De Fenix's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De Fenix wants to stand but Clark is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

De Fenix is working an open guard so Clark takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Matt Clark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from De Fenix as Clark shoots in.
Clark has his takedown stuffed
and De Fenix connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark doesn't succeed with the takedown
and De Fenix counters with a good, hard body kick but Clark shrugs it off.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Clark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Clark shoots for a double leg takedown but De Fenix sprawls well. He's pushed Clark's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
De Fenix feints and then cracks Clark's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Clark down.
Clark steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from De Fenix. That one must have hurt.
Clark moves to clinch but De Fenix breaks away
and De Fenix counters with a two punch combo.
Clark shoots and misses
and De Fenix cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Clark takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Clark shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has De Fenix pinned against the cage. De Fenix gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Clark has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
De Fenix throws a nice inside leg kick.
Clark has his takedown stuffed
and De Fenix makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Clark throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
De Fenix connects with a jab.
Clark tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but De Fenix swivels and escapes.
De Fenix stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and De Fenix wants it to stay on the feet.
De Fenix lands a body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Clark.
Clark is breathing heavily.
Good leg kick by De Fenix there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
De Fenix throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
De Fenix throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
De Fenix scores with the left hand. Clark knows he should have avoided that one.
Clark avoids the head kick by De Fenix.

De Fenix gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Clark to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Clark wants to control from the top but De Fenix keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clark missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Clark scoring with some ground and pound.
Clark missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Clark postures up in De Fenix's guard and throws a big left but De Fenix blocks it.
Clark forces his way into half guard.
Clark missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Clark looks to land a strike but De Fenix avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Clark trying to control but De Fenix is working from the bottom.
Clark throws a big right hand that misses.
Clark sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed De Fenix's guard.
De Fenix avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Clark.
De Fenix avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Clark.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Clark is just content to waste time from the top position. De Fenix takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Clark trying to control but De Fenix is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikki De Fenix dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

De Fenix works Clark's body with a nice hook.
Clark shoots and misses
and De Fenix counters with a stiff right hand.
Clark takes a kick to the side of the head.
Clark fails with a takedown attempt.
De Fenix lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Clark throws a right and a left that both miss.
De Fenix unleashes a big counter combination but Clark bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
De Fenix works the jab nicely.
Matt Clark is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
De Fenix throws a head kick that misses.
Danga de danga de dang - De Fenix scores with a four punch combination!
De Fenix throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
De Fenix digs a good body shot into Clark's ribs.
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!
Clark goes for a double leg but De Fenix avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as De Fenix continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Clark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Fenix scores with a jab. Clark acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Clark takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Clark shoots and misses
and De Fenix counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Clark closes the distance and clinches up with De Fenix, looking for a takedown. Clark pushes De Fenix against the cage but De Fenix circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and De Fenix counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Clark misses with a takedown attempt - De Fenix sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Clark drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
De Fenix scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Clark with a lazy takedown attempt
and De Fenix counters with a series of strikes. Clark will be more careful next time no doubt.
De Fenix lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Clark moves out of range as De Fenix throws a body kick.
Clark fails with the takedown
and De Fenix counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Clark closes this distance looking for a takedown but De Fenix circles away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A thudding body kick lands there by De Fenix!
De Fenix throws a series of strikes that have Clark backpedaling.
Nice sprawl there from De Fenix as Clark shoots in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Fenix tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Clark tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
De Fenix lands a really nice looking cross but Clark seems unphased.
Clark misses with a kick to the body
and De Fenix counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Clark shoots in for a takedown but De Fenix shows good takedown defense.
De Fenix dips to his left and cracks Clark with an uppercut!
De Fenix lands with a cross.
Clark tries to clinch up.
A head kick from De Fenix lands but Clark takes it in his stride.
De Fenix throws a quick inside leg kick.
Clark shoots in looking for a takedown. De Fenix tries to sprawl out of it but Clark keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. De Fenix manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Clark on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Fenix lands with a kick to the ribs.
De Fenix lands with a kick to the ribs.
Clark shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says De Fenix as he avoids it easily.
Clark shoots in for a takedown but De Fenix shows good takedown defense.
De Fenix let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
De Fenix jabs Clark right on the nose. Clark blinks but takes it well.
De Fenix lands a glancing blow to the side of Clark's head.
De Fenix lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by De Fenix.
De Fenix blocks a head kick by Clark.
Clark shoots and misses
and De Fenix counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
De Fenix throws a series of punches but Clark moves out of range.
De Fenix lands with a slapping head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Clark fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Clark looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
De Fenix throws a series of punches but Clark moves out of range.
De Fenix lands a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Fenix lands a lovely overhand right.
De Fenix moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Clark has his takedown stuffed
and De Fenix counters with a straight right hand.
De Fenix lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
De Fenix lands with a shot to the body.
De Fenix works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
De Fenix throws a right hand that Clark ducks under and follows up with a left that Clark also avoids with ease.
De Fenix lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Clark closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Clark shoots in but no luck this time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Clark.
De Fenix looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
De Fenix lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikki De Fenix showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Clark darts in looking for a takedown but De Fenix gets double underhooks and turns Clark into the cage.
De Fenix explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
De Fenix swinging wildly here.
De Fenix circles away from the clinch attempt.
De Fenix scores with a one two! Clark had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
De Fenix misses with a head kick.
A shot to the liver by De Fenix. Beautiful body shot.
Clark is looking to clinch.

A momentary lapse in concentration from De Fenix enables Clark to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. De Fenix manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Clark wants to control from the top but De Fenix keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Clark won't allow De Fenix to sweep him here.
Clark working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Fenix looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
De Fenix avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Clark decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
De Fenix lands an overhand right.
Clark will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
De Fenix punishes Clark's body with a nice straight punch.
A slapping body kick lands there for De Fenix.
De Fenix fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Clark looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Clark.
A countering left hand to the body from De Fenix misses.
Clark looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? De Fenix is fending him off so far but Clark persists. Nope, De Fenix circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Clark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Fenix lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Fenix delivers a nice body kick.
Clark takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
De Fenix keeps Clark at a distance using the push kick.
Clark misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A nice side step and De Fenix releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Fenix stalks Clark and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Clark's face. Clark staggers backwards, shaken.
De Fenix lands a nice looking kick to the body. Clark takes a step back to recover.
De Fenix with a hook.
De Fenix with a jab.
Clark fails with a takedown attempt.
Clark steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from De Fenix. That one must have hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by De Fenix. Beautiful body shot.
De Fenix lands with a nice combination. Clark backs away looking to recover.
Clark shoots in for a takedown but De Fenix shows good takedown defense.
De Fenix stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and De Fenix wants it to stay on the feet.
Clark shoots and misses
and De Fenix counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
De Fenix throws a head kick that Clark semi-blocks.
De Fenix feints a jab promting Clark to slip. De Fenix then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Clark slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Clark throws a combination that misses
and De Fenix counters with a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Clark takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Clark on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Clark fails with the takedown
and De Fenix counters with a nice body shot.
De Fenix throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Fenix throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Clark on the side of the head.
Clark tries to clinch but De Fenix is having none of it.
Nice jab there from De Fenix.
De Fenix will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
De Fenix throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Matt Clark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
De Fenix tries a head kick but it misses.
De Fenix clobbers Clark with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Clark shoots for a takedown but De Fenix saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Clark tries to clinch there but De Fenix circles away.
Ikki De Fenix is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
De Fenix lands with a shot to the body.
Clark shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and De Fenix counters with a series of strikes. Clark will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ikki De Fenix is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
De Fenix connects with a body shot that sends Clark's belly button to the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ikki De Fenix comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got De Fenix winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 25:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 25:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ikki De Fenix!
During a confident post fight interview, Ikki De Fenix thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.