PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Soons Sam (ranked 2995 p4p, 2965 weight class) and Mike Bard (ranked 382 p4p, 380 weight class). Soons Sam had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 206.8lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Sam
vs
Bard

180 cm
27
220
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
26
205
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Soons Sam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Bard!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Ben Watson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bard getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Sam shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sam showed some decent athleticism there.
Sam is trying to control the action in half guard but Bard is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sam looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sam wants to take a breather but Bard is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bard manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sam manages to get himself to full guard.

Sam looking for a sweep. Not yet Sam, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bard working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sam's head.
Bard throws a big elbow that misses.
Bard stands and throws Sam's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Bard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sam keeps working.
Sam is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Sam is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Bard asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bard lands some shots froms side control.
Sam tries to bench press Bard off him but Bard keeps the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bard lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Sam down.
Bard creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bard tries to move into full mount but can't pass Sam's legs.
Sam is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bard connects with a decent elbow.
Bard scoring with punches from side control.
Bard lands a nice forearm strike.

Sam is rocked!

Bard tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Oh Sam is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bard grinds an elbow into Sam's temple.
We've been hearing good reports from Sam's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Sam is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bard passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Sam!
Bard landing strikes, looking to finish!
Oooooh, big shot lands for Bard! Sam is hurt baaadly! Bard is firing away with more strikes - Sam is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mike Bard!
Mike Bard was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.