PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Stark (ranked 2773 p4p, 312 weight class) and Feihck Tiote (ranked 2289 p4p, 262 weight class). Feihck Tiote has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stark
vs
Tiote

176 cm
35
167 lbs
17 - 25 - 0

181 cm
25
164 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 25 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brandon Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Feihck Tiote!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stark lands a nice looking body kick.
Stark lands with a nice body punch.
Stark pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stark 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.
Stark feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tiotes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Tiote blocks the body kick.

Tiote takes the fight into the clinch.
Tiote is working for takedown but Stark is calmly controlling the position for now.

Tiote decides to pull guard.
Stark sitting in guard here, content to control.
Stark looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tiote keeping moving, preventing Stark from controlling successfully.
Stark is pushing down on Tiote's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tiote is fighting to maintain full guard but Stark has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tiote keeps working.
Stark throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stark is looking to take a break and control but Tiote is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stark missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tiote is looking to improve his position.
Tiote is pressing down on Stark's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stark is looking to work some ground and pound but Tiote has wrist control.
Stark is looking to work some ground and pound but Tiote has wrist control.

That's two 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.
Stark wants to pass the guard but Tiote is keeping the position.
Stark passes Tiote's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Stark throwing shots but Tiote is blocking nicely.

Stark is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tiote has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stark thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tiote won't allow Stark to pass to mount.
Stark not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tiote is trying to maintain the position but Stark is very close to passing his half guard.
Stark passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Tiote!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiote really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
A nice elbow there by Stark.
Stark controlling the pace for now.
Tiote really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tiote wants to control but Stark is having none of it.

Stark jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tiote is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tiote and Stark has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark working the strikes but Tiote uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Stark wants to control but Tiote is keeping him busy.
Tiote trying to control but Stark postures up.
Stark not doing much here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stark is trying to control. Tiote wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tiote wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Stark dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stark punishes Tiote's body with a nice straight punch.
Tiote fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stark swats away the attempt to clinch by Tiote.
No luck for Tiote with that takedown attempt.
Stark appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Tiote avoids a kick to the body.
Stark fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tiote.
Tiote wants to clinch up but Stark keeps it at a distance.
Tiote takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Tiote shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stark as he jumps to the side.
Stark lands with a straight right. Tiote didn't see that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stark scores with a kick to the body.
Stark with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tiote misses with a takedown attempt - Stark sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Brandon Stark has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Feihck Tiote.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tiote.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Stark.
A head kick misses from Stark.
Brandon Stark is winning the standup battle so far.
Stark connects with a high kick.
Stark throws a right hand that Tiote ducks under and follows up with a left that Tiote also avoids with ease.

Tiote gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tiote looking for a takedown.
Stark has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tiote avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tiote is looking to control Stark's arms but Stark gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tiote has his back to the cage.
Stark misses with the head strike.
Stark goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tiote prevents it.

Tiote turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Stark is looking for a sweep.
Stark is trying to control Tiote's posture but Tiote avoids it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stark is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiote with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Tiote tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stark knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Tiote looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Tiote trying to pass the guard but Stark defending well.
Stark trying to get back to full guard but Tiote takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Stark is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tiote can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiote sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Brandon Stark overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tiote trying to control but Stark is having none of it.
Stark regains half guard.
Stark trying to get back to full guard but Tiote takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Tiote putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark is working to get back to half guard.

Tiote goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Stark is on top in guard.
Stark preventing the sweep.

Tiote working for a triangle but Stark defends it easily.
Stark trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Tiote manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Tiote trying to control the position from guard on top but Stark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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 Brandon Stark will probably get the nod.
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.

Stark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tiote shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stark as he avoids it easily.
Tiote shoots in and drives through. Stark sprawls well.
Stark stuffs the takedown attempt from Tiote. Tiote gets slowly back to his feet.
Brandon Stark has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Feihck Tiote.
Stark dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tiote. That did some damage!
Stark lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tiote throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stark's waist but Stark gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tiote off to one side.
Stark thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tiote if he has to take too many more of those.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Stark fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tiote on the side of the head.
Stark thows a body kick. Tiote tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Stark misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stark tries a head kick but it misses.
Stark throws a leg kick but Tiote checks it.
Tiote shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stark pinned against the cage. Stark gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Stark.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tiote gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stark prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tiote can't get the takedown.

Stark pulls Tiote into guard.
Tiote won't allow Stark to sweep him here.
Tiote slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Stark wants to sweep but no luck.
Tiote trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stark is trying to control the position but Tiote postures up.
Brandon Stark is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark wants to sweep here but Tiote controlling him for the moment.
Tiote controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Brandon Stark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Tiote closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Stark's guard.
Tiote trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stark has Tiote pulled in close to control his posture.

Stark escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tiote gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stark controls Tiote momentarily but Tiote frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tiote got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stark has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tiote has managed to get both his arms back between Stark's legs - danger averted.

Stark looking for a guillotine here but Tiote defends easily.
Stark is trying to keep Tiote in close.
Tiote looking to sit in guard and control but Stark gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stark wants to pass the guard but Tiote is keeping the position.
Tiote not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stark wants to pass the guard but Tiote is keeping the position.
Stark sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Tiote's guard.
Stark is stalling here. Tiote is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Stark seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Tiote has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Stark tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Feihck Tiote has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stark sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Stark showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stark, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Stark!
Brandon Stark seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.