PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Slaven Donnech (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ric Sparkler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sparkler has chosen One of These Days as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Donnech
vs
Sparkler

178 cm
24
185 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

177 cm
24
195 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Determined

Nemesis Cage Clothing
Nemesis Cage Clothing

Non-Stop Nutrition
Non-Stop Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Slaven Donnech!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ric Sparkler!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Donald Grub and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sparkler slips a jab from Donnech.
Donnech jabs Sparkler right on the nose. Sparkler blinks but takes it well.
Donnech swats away the attempt to clinch by Sparkler.
Donnech throws a head kick that misses.
Donnech looks to land a body kick but Sparkler moved away.
Donnech throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sparkler blocks a head kick by Donnech.
Ric Sparkler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donnech keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Sparkler closes the distance and clinches.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Donnech tries for a takedown. No joy.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Donnech tries to pull guard but Sparkler won't allow it.
Donnech wants to get back to striking at distance but Sparkler won't allow it.
Sparkler pushes off an throws an elbow but Donnech leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Donnech can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaven Donnech. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sparkler.
Donnech misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sparkler throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.
Sparkler throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sparkler misses with an elbow over the top.
Donnech avoids the elbow strike from Sparkler, against the cage.
The referee calls for Sparkler to work.
Donnech is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sparkler pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparkler creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Donnech tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sparkler just stands there and leans against the cage.
Donnech avoids a wild elbow strike from Sparkler.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.
Donnech dodges an elbow strike from Sparkler.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Donnech jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sparkler walks away with a smile on his face. Donnech gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Donnech goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sparkler lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Sparkler has taken the fight to the clinch.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Slaven Donnech has been cut.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.
Donnech jumps guard but Sparkler stands there with Donnech around his waist. Donnech gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sparkler unloads a knee to the mid-section. Donnech lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Donnech tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sparkler smiles and moves away.
Donnech avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Sparkler moves into range and clinches up with Donnech.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sparkler.
Donnech wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Donnech is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sparkler gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sparkler is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sparkler pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Sparkler misses with an elbow over the top.
Donnech wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sparkler has him pressed against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sparkler takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Donnech blocks an elbow strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Donnech drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sparkler gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparkler stalls.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Donnech tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sparkler just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Donnech has had enough of the clinch but Sparkler keeps him there for the moment.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler unloads a knee to the mid-section. Donnech lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Donnech is breathing heavily.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Sparkler using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sparkler leaning his opponent against the cage.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Sparkler prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sparkler throws an elbow but misses.
Sparkler scores a nice knee to the body.
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!
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler landing knees to the body.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Sparkler content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Sparkler creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Donnech's defenses.
Sparkler crunches a lovely knee into Donnech's ribcage.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Donnech's defenses.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sparkler's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ric Sparkler dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Slaven Donnech's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Donnech takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Donnech misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Slaven Donnech is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Donnech with that takedown attempt.
Sparkler fails in his attempt to clinch.
Donnech finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sparkler fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sparkler lands a nice looking body shot.
Sparkler thows a body shot but no joy.

Donnech tries to keep at a distance but Sparkler has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Sparkler misses with an elbow over the top.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Donnech blocks an elbow strike.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Donnech struggles to land a body shot inside as Sparkler controls his hands.
Ric Sparkler seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sparkler misses with an elbow over the top.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Donnech dodges an elbow strike from Sparkler.
Sparkler blocks a body shot from Donnech.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Donnech blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sparkler is pressed up against the cage. Donnech has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sparkler down to the mat. Sparkler avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Donnech shoots in for a takedown but Sparkler shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaven Donnech. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sparkler moves into the clinch successfully.
Sparkler gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Donnech.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Donnech is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sparkler pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler gets underhooks to prevent Donnech's takedown attempt.
Donnech wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sparkler has him pressed against the cage.
Sparkler using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sparkler landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sparkler stalling against the cage.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Donnech changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sparkler fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Donnech takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sparkler doesn't manage to clinch there - Donnech circles away.

Sparkler closes the distance and clinches.
Donnech tries to score a body lock takedown but Sparkler shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sparkler lands a nice knee to the body.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donnech throws a head punch that misses.
Donnech jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sparkler walks away with a smile on his face. Donnech gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Donnech fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Sparkler gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Donnech drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sparkler gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sparkler unloads a knee to the mid-section. Donnech lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Donnech blocks the elbow strike.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Sparkler.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sparkler lands a nice knee to the body.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Donnech has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sparkler avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sparkler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Donnech blocks an elbow strike.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sparkler pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Donnech tries for a takedown but Sparkler manages to get underhooks.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Donnech can't break the clinch.
Donnech tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sparkler stops a takedown attempt from Donnech.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ric Sparkler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Slaven Donnech's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sparkler tries to clinch up.
Sparkler just misses with a punch to the body.

Sparkler pushes Donnech up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Sparkler is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Donnech goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sparkler prevents it.
Sparkler landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Donnech blocks the elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sparkler throws an elbow but misses.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sparkler landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Donnech is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sparkler throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Donnech wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Donnech can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaven Donnech. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Donnech drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sparkler gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Donnech's defenses.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler effectively controlling the action here.
Donnech has had enough of the clinch but Sparkler keeps him there for the moment.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler throws an elbow that misses.
Knees to the body from Sparkler.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sparkler crunches a lovely knee into Donnech's ribcage.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler crunches a lovely knee into Donnech's ribcage.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler prevents the takedown attempt.
Donnech wants a takedown but no success here.
Sparkler creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Donnech's defenses.
Donnech is working for takedown but Sparkler is calmly controlling the position for now.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sparkler is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler pushes off an throws an elbow but Donnech leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Donnech has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sparkler avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sparkler keeps control of Donnech as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sparkler creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparkler throws an elbow that misses.
Donnech blocks an elbow strike from Sparkler.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler is pressed up against the cage. Donnech has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sparkler down to the mat. Sparkler avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sparkler tries to clinch up but Donnech circles away and keeps his distance.
Sparkler is looking to clinch.

Sparkler gets a clinch.
Sparkler gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Donnech.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Sparkler stalling the fight.
Donnech looking for a takedown.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside that Donnech shrugs off.
Sparkler lands an elbow that stopped Donnech in his tracks for a moment.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Nice elbow from Sparkler.
Sparkler taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Donnech tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sparkler smiles and moves away.

Sparkler instigates a clinch.
Slaven Donnech has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donnech takes an elbow to the temple.
Donnech jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sparkler walks away with a smile on his face. Donnech gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Donnech wants to break free but Sparkler has control.
Sparkler creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Sparkler lands an elbow just above Donnech 's eye.
Donnech blocks an elbow strike.
Sparkler lands a damaging elbow.
Sparkler misses with an elbow over the top.
Donnech wants a takedown.
Sparkler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow.
Donnech takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sparkler lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Sparkler.
Sparkler scores a nice knee to the body.
Sparkler lands an elbow inside.
Sparkler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sparkler content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Sparkler creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Donnech's defenses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ric Sparkler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sparkler has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Glass scores the fight 24:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 24:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ric Sparkler!