TUF Near the Finish 40k PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Warring (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Costa Ioannou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Warring
vs
Ioannou

164 cm
23
143 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

173 cm
25
143 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

V-Mask Clothing + 10% laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marcus Warring!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Costa Ioannou!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ioannou tries to clinch but Warring is having none of it.
Warring chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Warring motions for Ioannou to come forward. Warring throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ioannou goes for a double leg but Warring avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Warring continues to drive forward.
Ioannou moves away from the strike by Warring.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ioannou is defended easily by Warring.
Warring throws a low kick, looking for Ioannou's leg but Ioannou calmly moves out of range.
Ioannou has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Warring.
Warring connects with a looping right hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Warring.
Warring tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ioannou rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Warring moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ioannou throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Warring lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ioannou has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ioannou and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ioannou scores with a kick to the midsection.
Warring scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Warring waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ioannou.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ioannou tries to bum rush Warring with a series of wild strikes but Warring uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ioannou is defended easily by Warring.
Marcus Warring has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Costa Ioannou.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Warring throws a quick inside leg kick.
Warring swats away the attempt to clinch by Ioannou.
Warring looks to land a body kick but Ioannou moved away.
Ioannou looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Marcus Warring seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ioannou steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Warring.
Ioannou misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Warring throws a low kick but Ioannou avoids it.
Warring tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ioannou shoots for a takedown but Warring saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Warring throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ioannou tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ioannou fails in his attempt to clinch.
Warring turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ioannou avoids the head kick by Warring.
Ioannou tries to clinch there but Warring circles away.
As Ioannou backs away, Warring returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Ioannou shoots for a takedown but Warring saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ioannou looks winded!
Ioannou throws a head kick but Warring moves out of range.
Marcus Warring is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Warring misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Warring keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ioannou tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Warring paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Warring throws a leg kick but Ioannou checks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Warring throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ioannou shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Warring as he avoids it easily.
Warring moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Warring lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ioannou tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Warring paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ioannou shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Warring pinned against the cage. Warring gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Warring cracks the inside of Ioannou's front leg.
Warring throws a head kick but Ioannou moves out of range.
Ioannou raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ioannou.
Warring quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Warring shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ioannou eats them both and turns towards Warring to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Warring stuffs the takedown.
Ioannou tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Warring throws a low kick but Ioannou moves out of range easily.
Ioannou tries to close the distance and clinch but Warring swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ioannou shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Warring sprawls well. Warring wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ioannou gets slowly back to his feet.
Warring lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ioannou avoids the head kick by Warring.
Ioannou avoids the head kick by Warring.
No luck for Ioannou with that takedown attempt.
Ioannou gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Warring.
Warring scores with a leg kick.
Warring lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ioannou on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ioannou is looking to clinch.
Warring is looking to counter with head kicks.
Ioannou avoids the head kick by Warring.
Ioannou is looking to clinch.
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!
Ioannou misses with a series of wild punches.
Warring misses with a low kick.
Ioannou checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ioannou checks a leg kick.
Ioannou shapes to counter with a head kick.
Ioannou fails with an attempt to clinch.
Warring blocks a head kick by Ioannou.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ioannou is defended easily by Warring.
Warring fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Warring connects with a nice looking jab.
Warring does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ioannou fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Warring misses with a low kick.
Warring lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Warring misses with a low kick.
Ioannou blocks a leg kick.
Ioannou fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Warring avoids it really well and circles away.
Ioannou tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Warring paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Warring throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Warring is looking to chop away at Ioannou's legs.
Warring does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A punch combination from Warring misses.
Warring plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Warring throws a head kick but Ioannou moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Warring fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ioannou has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Warring jabs Ioannou right on the nose. Ioannou blinks but takes it well.
Warring is looking to slow Ioannou down with leg kicks.
Ioannou shoots in and drives through. Warring sprawls well.
Ioannou tries to close the distance and clinch but Warring swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ioannou is breathing heavily.
Ioannou tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Warring circles away from the clinch attempt.
A head kick from Ioannou lands but Warring takes it in his stride.
Warring misses with a head kick.
Warring misses with a body kick.
Costa Ioannou is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Warring throws a chopping leg kick but Ioannou manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Warring keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Marcus Warring has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Costa Ioannou.
Ioannou doesn't manage to clinch there - Warring circles away.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Ioannou might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Warring has got the better of the exchanges.
Nice uppercut lands for Warring. That snapped Ioannou's head back.
Warring does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ioannou shoots for a double leg takedown but Warring sprawls well. He's pushed Ioannou's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Warring throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Warring throws a head kick that misses.
Warring lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ioannou wants to clinch.
Warring throws a head kick that half lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ioannou avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ioannou's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ioannou misses with a takedown attempt - Warring sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Warring avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Warring cracks Ioannou with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Warring scores with a spinning back kick!
Ioannou darts in looking for a takedown but Warring gets double underhooks and turns Ioannou into the cage.
Warring throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Warring fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ioannou has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Warring thumps Ioannou with a low kick.
Warring lands a head kick. Ioannou smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Warring avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Warring connects with a high kick.
Warring lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Warring tries a head kick but it misses.
Ioannou fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ioannou tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ioannou shoots for a takedown but Warring saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Warring tests Ioannou's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Warring buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Warring dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ioannou. That did some damage!
Warring misses with a low kick.
Ioannou is trying desperately to land a takedown but Warring is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Ioannou.
Warring bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ioannou's head.
Ioannou fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ioannou stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Warring.
Warring swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ioannou throws a fast counter high kick but Warring manages to duck under it in time.
Warring avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ioannou tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Warring swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Warring with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice inside leg kick there by Warring. That's going to slow Ioannou down.
Warring throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ioannou will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Warring throws a leg kick but Ioannou checks it.
Warring throws a nice looking combination but Ioannou bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ioannou fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Warring, right into the meat.
Ioannou fails in his attempt to clinch.
Warring pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A countering left hand to the body from Ioannou misses.
Warring throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Warring connects with a high kick.
Ioannou doesn't manage to clinch there - Warring circles away.
Warring defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ioannou.
Ioannou darts in looking for a takedown but Warring gets double underhooks and turns Ioannou into the cage.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Warring lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ioannou has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ioannou and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A leg kick checked by Ioannou.
That kick from Warring tenderised Ioannou's leg. Ioannou is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Warring dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Warring thumps Ioannou with a low kick.
Ioannou on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Warring. Warring obviously looking to wear him down.
Ioannou is looking to clinch but Warring is avoiding it.
Warring wants to slow Ioannou down by chopping away at his legs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Warring. That's going to slow Ioannou down.
Ioannou tries to clinch up but Warring circles away and keeps his distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Warring.
Warring throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Warring throws the kick towards the body but Ioannou avoids it.
Ioannou is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Warring with a body shot.
Warring tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ioannou is defended easily by Warring.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Warring throws a head kick that misses.
Ioannou fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ioannou fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ioannou tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ioannou wants to clinch up but Warring keeps it at a distance.
Ioannou tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Warring paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ioannou takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Warring.
Ioannou takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ioannou blocks a low kick nicely.
Warring misses with a low kick.
Warring lands a jab.
Warring lands with a kick to the ribs.
Warring misses with a body kick.
Ioannou only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ioannou closes the distance and clinches up with Warring, looking for a takedown. Ioannou pushes Warring against the cage but Warring circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ioannou shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Warring but Warring pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Marcus Warring has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Costa Ioannou.

Warring breaks the clinch.
Ioannou shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Warring but Warring pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Warring throws a wild body kick that Ioannou sees coming a mile off.
An inside leg kick from Warring misses.
Marcus Warring is winning the standup battle so far.
Ioannou misses with a head kick.
Warring is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ioannou can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ioannou takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Warring throws out a powerful jab.
Warring shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ioannou tries a quick counter leg kick but Warring is wise to it.
Ioannou tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Warring swivels and escapes.

Warring breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Warring throws a push kick but Ioannou slaps the foot to one side.
That kick from Warring tenderised Ioannou's leg. Ioannou is trying to keep his angry face on.
Warring throws a leg kick but Ioannou sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Warring swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Warring throws out a leg kick but Ioannou moves out of range and Warring only half commits.
Ioannou tries to score a power double leg takedown but Warring sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ioannou somewhat.
Both fighters circling a little - Warring finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Marcus Warring is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Warring misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ioannou tries to move into range but Warring moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Warring is looking to slow Ioannou down with leg kicks.
Warring throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ioannou shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Warring pinned against the cage. Warring gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Warring fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ioannou just manages to avoid it.
Ioannou doesn't manage to clinch there - Warring circles away.
Warring avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Some bone on bone action there as Ioannou checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Warring tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No joy there for Ioannou, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Warring dips to his left and cracks Ioannou with an uppercut!
Warring throws a quick inside leg kick.
Warring throws a leg kick but Ioannou sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ioannou misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Warring tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ioannou looks for a takedown but Warring sprawls well.
Warring will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Warring cracks the inside of Ioannou's front leg.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Warring, right into the meat.
Warring throws a low kick, looking for Ioannou's leg but Ioannou calmly moves out of range.
Warring throws a leg kick but Ioannou checks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ioannou shoots in and drives through. Warring sprawls well.
Warring is looking to counter with head kicks.
Warring stuffs the takedown.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Warring.
Warring attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Warring throws a half hearted mid kick.
Costa Ioannou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Warring throws a sloppy head kick and Ioannou moves out of range easily.
Ioannou shoots for a takedown but Warring saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Warring showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Warring has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:25
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:25
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Warring!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
61%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Manshelbor Stranzas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Hound (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Stranzas
vs
Hound

174 cm
25
143 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

172 cm
20
148 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing + 10% laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Manshelbor Stranzas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, The Hound!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stranzas slips under a jab.
Stranzas is looking for a counter combo.
Hound throws a right hand that Stranzas ducks under and follows up with a left that Stranzas also avoids with ease.
Stranzas seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Stranzas throws a body punch but Hound moves out of range.
No joy there for Stranzas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stranzas moves forwards but Hound connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Stranzas lands a jab-cross combination.
Stranzas stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stranzas wants it to stay on the feet.
Stranzas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hound lands the left hand.
Hound throws a body punch but Stranzas moves out of range.
Stranzas misses with a two punch combination.
Hound moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hound lands with a hook. Stranzas tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Hound misses.
Stranzas went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Hound tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stranzas swivels and escapes.
Hound drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stranzas gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Manshelbor Stranzas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of The Hound.

Hound jumps into guard, dragging Stranzas to the mat.
Stranzas wants to get up but he can't break Hound's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hound trying to control the position here.
Hound's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Stranzas definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hound is on top in guard.

Hound trying to control the position from guard on top but Stranzas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hound forces his way into half guard.
Hound is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Stranzas on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Stranzas tries to get out of the position.

Hound working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Stranzas turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Hound off and cradles Stranzas's limp body as Hound celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). The Hound!