PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gary Day (ranked 1317 p4p, 145 weight class) and Khal Stark (ranked 2923 p4p, 281 weight class). Day comes into the arena with Last minute - Great day to choke you out blaring out of the sound system. Stark has chosen Gardenia by Kyuss as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Day
vs
Stark

178 cm
25
160 lbs
10 - 9 - 2

174 cm
32
158 lbs
16 - 13 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Red Light Coffeeshop
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Gary Day!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 2, fighting out of New York, Khal Stark!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stark throws a low kick but Day moves out of range easily.
Stark loads up on a big right hand but Day slips the punch.
Day quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Stark darts in and clinches Day up against the cage.
Stark misses with a short punch on the inside.

Stark breaks the clinch.

Stark shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Day has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stark can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stark makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Stark wants to control from the top but Day keeps moving.
Stark looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark trying to control but Day is working from the bottom.
Stark must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stark tries to free his leg and advance position but Day is retaining full guard.
Stark trying to control but Day is working from the bottom.
Stark scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Day has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stark can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Day is looking for a triangle but Stark pushes his legs off easily.

Day looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Day can't keep his opponent in guard - Stark advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Stark thows a huge punch but Day dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stark sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Day defending well though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Day manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Day seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Day working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stark.
Day keeping full guard, as Stark tries to pass.

Day is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Day controls Stark momentarily but Stark frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark with a nice head shot there.
Stark is looking to work some ground and pound but Day has wrist control.
Day keeping moving, preventing Stark from controlling successfully.
Stark landing some decent shots from guard.
Stark working some strikes from top position.
Day working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stark.
Stark throwing strikes from guard but Day blocks nicely.
Stark wants to pass the guard but Day is keeping the position.
Stark makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Stark lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stark advances to half guard.
Day is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stark lands a nice short elbow.
Stark is trying to control the action in half guard but Day is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Stark looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Day with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Stark is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Day trying to control but Stark postures up.
Stark tries to pass to full mount but Day defends it.
Day tries to get to full guard but Stark has control of the leg.
Day is working hard here to advance position.
Stark wants to control but Day is keeping him busy.

Day looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Stark is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Day has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stark is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Day looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Stark is looking for a kimura here.
Stark trying to pass the guard but Day defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stark is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Day is refusing to be controlled, as Stark sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Day uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nice defenses there by Stark.
Stark misses with a looping right.
Day lands a jab to Stark's midsection.
Some wild striking there from Stark.
Day throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Stark moves into range and clinches up with Day.
Stark tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Day's elbow.
Stark blocks an uppercut.
Stark misses with a punch on the inside.
Stark misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Day misses with a short punch on the inside.
Day lands with a light punch inside.
Stark taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Stark has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stark comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Gary Day has been cut.
Day blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stark tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Day avoids it.
Day on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Day has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Day blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stark throws a head punch that misses.
Still in the clinch, Day scores with a nice short uppercut.
Stark is trying to force a seperation but Day has the dominant position.
Stark stops a takedown attempt from Day.
Day tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stark's elbow.
Day being controlled against the cage.
Day tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Day tries a body shot but Stark blocks it.

Day breaks from the clinch.
Stark walks into a left hand.
Stark falls off balance throwing a combination
and Day counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stark thinking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Day takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stark tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stark looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Day blocks a head kick by Stark.
Day tests Stark's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Stark pushes Day up against the cage in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Day tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stark smiles and moves away.
Day takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stark looks to land a combination but Day avoids it well.
Day pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little jabbing left from Stark on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Day tries a head kick but it misses.
Day throws a hook to the side of Stark's head but Stark sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Day avoids a punch combination nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Day on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark scores with a sloppy right hand. Day should have avoided that one.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Day paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stark ducks right into an uppercut from Day.
Nice straight punches there by Day. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Day.
Day throws a lazy right hand but Stark sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Stark moves into the clinch.

Stark escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stark tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice body punch from Stark.
Day lands with a thumping leg kick.
Stark sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Day fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stark.
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!
Stark fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stark tries to clinch up but Day circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Day circles away from the clinch attempt.
Day scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stark doesn't seem bothered though.
Day checks a leg kick nicely.
Khal Stark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stark scores with a body shot.
Stark wants to clinch up but Day keeps it at a distance.
Stark tries to bum rush Day with a series of wild strikes but Day uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Stark fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Day, pushing him back against the cage.
Day misses with some punches.
Day tries to score a body lock takedown but Stark shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Day. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stark blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stark blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stark lands a shoulder strike.

Stark breaks the clinch.
Stark looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Day lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stark tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Day manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Day missing with a left hand there. Stark was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Khal Stark will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Gary Day's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Stark throws a right hand that misses
and Day counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Day avoids the body shot from Stark.
Stark throws a body punch but Day moves out of range.
Khal Stark is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Danga de danga de dang - Stark scores with a four punch combination!
Stark misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Day.
Stark gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Stark clinches up against the cage.
Stark throws a head punch that misses.
Stark content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Day blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Day softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Stark displaying some good clinch control by pressing Day up against the cage.
Stark lands a left hand that snaps the head of Day backwards.

Day has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Stark uses from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stark with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark won't allow Day to sweep him here.
Stark looking to pass the guard.
Stark trying to control the position from guard on top but Day is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Day is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Day manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stark manages to get himself to full guard.

Day looking to pass the guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Stark holds on and takes a little breather.
Day trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stark keeping moving, preventing Day from controlling successfully.
Khal Stark is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Day distracts Stark with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Stark looking to hit a scissor sweep but Day is one step ahead there.
Day passes Stark's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Stark is defending against the submission attempts here by Day.
Gary Day has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stark is staying active underneath Day, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Day with the ground and pound but Stark uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Day with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stark is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Stark throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.

Stark has his foot on Day's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Day works his way back into a safe position though.
Day stopping the sweep attempt from Stark.
Day trying to control the position from guard on top but Stark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stark manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Day manages to get himself to full guard.

Day is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stark is aware though and is defending well.

Day has his foot on Stark's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stark works his way back into a safe position though.
Stark is in close to Day's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Day has his foot on Stark's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stark works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark trying to control but Day is working from the bottom.
Stark working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stark scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stark looking to pass the guard.
Stark trying to control the position from guard on top but Day is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stark keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Day's head.
Stark lands a couple of elbows.
Stark won't allow Day to sweep him here.

Day working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stark doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stark manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stark sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Day's guard.
Stark is keen to just control but Day is a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Khal Stark.
I've got Stark 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khal Stark!
Khal Stark managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$), into his post fight interview.