PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Stian Lygre (ranked 3090 p4p, 3037 weight class) and Jhonny Sparks (ranked 314 p4p, 308 weight class). Lygre comes to the cage accompanied by ADHD. Jhonny Sparks struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.7lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Stian Lygre has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Lygre
vs
Sparks

182 cm
26
145
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
155
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stian Lygre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jhonny Sparks!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lygre shoots in for a takedown but Sparks shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sparks fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lygre feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Lygre misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Sparks fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lygre sprawls well initially but Sparks persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sparks stalling.
Lygre is trying to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sparks performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lygre is trying to get back to full guard.
Sparks trying to control the action but Lygre is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sparks not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lygre is looking to control Sparks's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lygre avoid being mounted?

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lygre.

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

Lygre is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Sparks presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparks is working for takedown but Lygre is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sparks gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Lygre.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stian Lygre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lygre is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lygre is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sparks is looking for a takedown.
Lygre is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sparks is working for takedown but Lygre is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lygre wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lygre gets underhooks to prevent Sparks's takedown attempt.

Lygre manages to pull guard.
Sparks postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Lygre is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sparks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sparks is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Lygre tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sparks working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Lygre will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparks trying to control the position from guard on top but Lygre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lygre working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sparks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sparks manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sparks stays in close to Lygre's body and controls the position.
Lygre pulls Sparks in close to prevent any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lygre throws his legs up looking for a submission but Sparks uses it to pass to side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jhonny Sparks will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lygre shoots in and gets a takedown into Sparks's guard.
Our spies down at at Next Level MMA inform us that Sparks has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Sparks controls Lygre momentarily but Lygre frees himself.
Lygre trying to control but Sparks is working from the bottom.
Lygre is really struggling to control Sparks but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Sparks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lygre manages to get himself to full guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sparks preventing the sweep.
Lygre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparks throwing strikes but missing.
Stian Lygre overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sparks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sparks trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Lygre manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Lygre trying to control but Sparks is working from the bottom.
Sparks managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sparks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sparks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sparks can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lygre trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lygre trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sparks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lygre wants to control from the top but Sparks keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Sparks shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lygre is trying to defend but Sparks finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lygre is trying to maintain the position but Sparks is very close to passing his half guard.
Sparks seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lygre really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lygre wants to control but Sparks is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lygre wants to sweep but Sparks has passed to side control!
Lygre can't do much from the bottom here.
Lygre tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Sparks lands with a hammerfist to the side of Lygre's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jhonny Sparks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Sparks bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Lygre bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Jhonny Sparks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sparks doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Lygre counters with a two punch combo.
Sparks stuffs the takedown attempt from Lygre. Lygre gets slowly back to his feet.
Sparks dives in for a single leg takedown but Lygre sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stian Lygre is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lygre goes for a double leg but Sparks avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sparks continues to drive forward.
Lygre is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sparks to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stian Lygre. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lygre pulls guard.

Lygre wriggles free and stands up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lygre or perhaps it was just good defense by Sparks, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sparks decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sparks slips a nice elbow through Lygre's hands, connecting with Lygre's forehead.

Lygre has one foot on Sparks's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Sparks misses with a takedown attempt - Lygre sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sparks tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lygre swivels and escapes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sparks has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lygre avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jhonny Sparks 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.
Sparks is pressed up against the cage. Lygre has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sparks down to the mat. Sparks avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Lygre rushes Sparks and presses him up against the cage.

Sparks works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Lygre is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lygre has control of Sparks's left arm, preventing Sparks from doing any damage.
Sparks sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sparks prevents Lygre from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparks sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Lygre trying to keep a closed guard but Sparks is proving a slippery customer.
Sparks preventing the sweep.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sparks fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lygre stuffs the takedown.

Lygre closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sparks to the mat! Sparks manages to get full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lygre wants to stand but Sparks is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sparks controls Lygre momentarily but Lygre frees himself.
Lygre in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lygre wants to control from the top but Sparks keeps moving.
Lygre looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Lygre tries to free his leg and advance position but Sparks is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stian Lygre showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sparks has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jhonny Sparks!
Jhonny Sparks tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.
Stian Lygre was interviewed post fight and said 'I'll learn from this and I will be back. '.