PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Striking Sparbot (ranked 10047 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jabari Jelani (ranked 6299 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sparbot
vs
Jelani

199 cm
50
252 lbs
54 - 22 - 1

185 cm
49
275 lbs
35 - 49 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 54 - 22 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Striking Sparbot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 49 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jabari Jelani!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jelani finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Jelani throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Sparbot to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Jabari Jelani has been cut.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Jelani has eaten all the pies!

Sparbot pushes Jelani up against the cage in a clinch.

Sparbot drags the fight down to the ground.
Sparbot pulls Jelani in close to prevent any damage.
Jelani trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sparbot is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Sparbot throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sparbot looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jelani is one step ahead there.
Sparbot will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sparbot throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Jelani escapes and throws Sparbot's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Sparbot is trying to get back to his feet.
I wouldn't like to be where Sparbot is right now.
Sparbot wants to control but Jelani postures up.
The ground and pound from Jelani seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Jelani working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sparbot wants to get back to his feet but Jelani drags him back down.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sparbot tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jelani wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sparbot knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jelani on the ground.
Jelani scoring with punches and elbows.
Jelani lands some shots froms side control.
Jelani has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jelani throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sparbot is holding Jelani down, trying to stall.
Sparbot tries to bench press Jelani off him but Jelani keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jelani advances nicely into full mount.
Jelani breaks from Sparbot's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Jelani lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Sparbot hang on?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jelani landing strikes, looking to finish!
Jelani blocks Sparbot's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Sparbot is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jelani with good strikes from the mount here!
Sparbot tries to lock up and control but Jelani gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sparbot is in a horrible position here. Jelani smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sparbot is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sparbot sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Jelani not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jelani is nestled in close to Sparbot, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sparbot looks like he's trying to stand up.
Jelani missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jabari Jelani dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jabari Jelani's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sparbot throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jelani fails to land with a series of punches.
Sparbot tries to counter by clinching up but Jelani breaks away and moves out of range.
Jelani has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jelani fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sparbot looks to land a combination. Jelani sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sparbot fails to land the takedown.
Sparbot tries for a takedown but Jelani sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jelani doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sparbot counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jelani fails to land the takedown.
Striking Sparbot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jabari Jelani.
Jelani closes the distance and clinches up with Sparbot, looking for a takedown. Jelani pushes Sparbot against the cage but Sparbot circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sparbot shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jelani unleashes a big counter combination but Sparbot bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Jelani stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jelani shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Jelani lands with a punch from half guard.
Sparbot tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sparbot is looking to control Jelani's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sparbot avoid being mounted?
Sparbot is trying to stand.
Jelani thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sparbot's head.
Sparbot trying to control but Jelani postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jelani is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jelani stops Sparbot from getting back to his feet.
Sparbot is looking to improve his position.
Sparbot is looking to escape.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jelani tries for a takedown but Sparbot sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jelani avoids the head kick by Sparbot.

Jelani tries to keep at a distance but Sparbot has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparbot wants to take the fight to the mat but Jelani manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sparbot goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jelani prevents it.

Sparbot pulls Jelani into guard.
Sparbot pulls Jelani in close to prevent any damage.
Jelani scoring with some ground and pound.
Sparbot controls Jelani momentarily but Jelani frees himself.
Jabari Jelani has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jelani stops Sparbot from standing up.
Jelani scoring with punches to the head and body.

Sparbot is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jelani defends well.
Jelani wants to pass the guard but Sparbot is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sparbot holds on and takes a little breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Striking Sparbot will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jabari Jelani's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sparbot misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sparbot will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jelani shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sparbot sprawls well. Sparbot wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jelani gets slowly back to his feet.
Sparbot with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Jelani throws a hook to the side of Sparbot's head but Sparbot sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sparbot shoots in for a takedown but Jelani shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Sparbot closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jelani has Sparbot pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sparbot manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Sparbot manages to break the clinch.
Jelani throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sparbot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jelani with a jab.
Jelani dives in and grabs Sparbot's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sparbot pushes down on Jelani's head and hops out.
Striking Sparbot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jabari Jelani.

Jelani closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Sparbot pushes Jelani off and gets back to his feet.
Striking Sparbot is winning the standup battle so far.
Jelani lands a really nice looking cross but Sparbot seems unphased.
Jelani shoots in and drives through. Sparbot sprawls well.
Jelani takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Sparbot clinches up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sparbot jumps guard.
Sparbot wants to get back to his feet but Jelani is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Sparbot working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jelani doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jelani manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sparbot is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jelani lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sparbot tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Sparbot looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Jelani has picked Sparbot up and slammed him! Sparbot can't keep hold of the triangle and Jelani manages to pass to side control!
Sparbot struggling a bit here.
Jelani moves into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jelani looking to finish Sparbot with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sparbot!
Sparbot is trying to escape the mount.
Jelani lands a couple of good shots and Sparbot has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Jelani is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Jelani lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Jelani.
Jelani connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Sparbot to escape the position.
Sparbot tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jelani with a couple of short strikes.
Sparbot on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sparbot tries to get out of the position.
Jelani won't let Sparbot get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Sparbot is bucking up trying to escape but Jelani cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Jelani with the ground and pound from mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Jelani is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Sparbot is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jabari Jelani!
After winning the bout, Jabari Jelani thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.