PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Moses Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Thurmond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Thurmond has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Moses Sparks's chin.

Sparks
vs
Thurmond

192 cm
18
346 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
19
284 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Moses Sparks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joe Thurmond!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thurmond fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sparks to the ground. Thurmond is now in Sparks's guard.
Thurmond preventing the sweep.
Sparks trying to control the position.

Sparks throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Thurmond escapes and throws Sparks's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Sparks is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Thurmond off and has taken his back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sparks throwing sloppy strikes.

Sparks is persistently looking for the submission but Thurmond is defending it well.
Thurmond trying to control but not successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thurmond avoids the strikes from Sparks.
Sparks throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thurmond is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.

Thurmond scores with a takedown into Sparks's guard.
Sparks wants to hit a switch here but Thurmond passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Sparks there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thurmond tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sparks can't escape the position.
Sparks is working hard here to advance position.
Sparks could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Sparks tries to hold on but Thurmond postures up.
Thurmond controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Thurmond has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Thurmond prevents Sparks from getting the reversal.
Thurmond takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Sparks working to try and regain half guard.
Thurmond controlling from mount.
Thurmond looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sparks is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Thurmond dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thurmond throws a series of punches but Sparks moves out of range.
Sparks throws a quick counter head kick but Thurmond was just out of range.
Sparks cracks Thurmond with an open hand slap.
Joe Thurmond seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thurmond scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Moses Sparks has been cut.
Thurmond misses with a few strikes there.
Thurmond throws a 1-2 combo that connects squarely on Sparks's jaw, knocking him onto his back! Thurmond dives in looking to finish as Sparks flails his arms in a desperate attempt to block Thurmond's strikes! Thurmond is raining down hammerfists and the ref stops it! Sparks's desperate flailing just didn't constitute intelligent defence. Some people will probably question the ref's decision but Sparks was definitely hurt and the ref saved him from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's safety is paramount in this sport.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joe Thurmond!