PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Stanton AZ (ranked 4547 p4p, 226 weight class) and Dominik Marino (ranked 4859 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

AZ
vs
Marino

150 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
147 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stanton AZ!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dominik Marino!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, David Schapiro and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

AZ gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

AZ is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Marino can't fight it off and eventually AZ manages to take the fight to the floor. Marino looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

AZ decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Marino, up you get!

AZ gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

AZ turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and AZ manages to end up in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marino is looking to regain half guard here but AZ keeps moving and retains side control.
AZ trying to control the action but Marino is working from the bottom.
Marino manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Marino lands with a few short shots to the body.
AZ prevents Marino from improving his position.
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!
Marino flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
AZ tries to pass the half guard into mount. Marino knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
AZ trying to control from half guard but Marino is working away.
Marino missing with punches from the bottom.
Marino throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Marino tries to regain full guard. Instead though, AZ has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Marino is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Marino is trying desperately to improve position.
Marino sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
AZ missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Marino missing with punches from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marino avoiding damage under a succession of punches from AZ.
Marino tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Marino is not content to let AZ control the position.
AZ blocks the strikes from Marino.
Marino connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Marino punching from the bottom.
Marino punching from the bottom.
AZ blocks the strikes from Marino.
Marino landing strikes from the bottom.
Marino tries to get to full guard but AZ has control of the leg.
Marino missing with punches from the bottom.
AZ sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Marino defending well though.
Marino punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marino misses with some strikes from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Marino really doesn't want to stay on the ground with AZ. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Marino misses with some strikes from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

AZ feints and as Marino raises his hands in defense, AZ changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Marino keeping moving, preventing AZ from controlling successfully.
Marino throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
AZ wants to control from the top but Marino keeps moving.
Marino doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Marino wants to sweep here but AZ controlling him for the moment.
Marino trying to strike off his back.
Marino scores with a short punch from the bottom.
AZ throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Marino works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
AZ trying to control but Marino is working from the bottom.
Marino doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marino trying to strike off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
AZ trying to control but Marino is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A telegraphed right hand from AZ misses the target.

AZ has taken the fight to the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Marino.
AZ blocks a punch to the side of the head.
AZ digs a right hand into Marino's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Marino's gas tank.
A head punch on the inside from Marino fails to land.
Marino misses with some punches.
Marino fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A short right from Marino on the inside.
AZ blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Marino misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by AZ.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanton AZ dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

AZ feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Marino looking to hit a scissor sweep but AZ is one step ahead there.
Marino throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
AZ throwing strikes from guard but Marino blocks nicely.
Marino is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Marino keeping moving, preventing AZ from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Marino can do anything to dispel that myth.
Marino trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
AZ wants to control from the top but Marino keeps moving.
Marino striking from the bottom.
Marino keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
AZ trying to control the position from guard on top but Marino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stanton AZ overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Marino throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Marino throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Marino will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Marino blocks a head kick by AZ.
AZ is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marino can do to turn this around?

AZ drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Marino wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Marino misses with a strike from the bottom.
AZ blocks the strikes from Marino.
Marino throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Marino is trying to improve his position.

AZ stands up and beckons Marino to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

AZ scores with a takedown into Marino's guard.
Marino throws a couple of heel strikes.
Marino tries to strike from the bottom.
AZ stands and throws Marino's legs to the side, diving into side control.
AZ tries to move to mount but Marino blocks the move with his legs.
Marino regains half guard.
Marino missing with punches from the bottom.

AZ gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

AZ shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than AZ was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Marino misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Marino gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Marino punching from the bottom.
Marino misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Marino missing with punches from the bottom.
AZ thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
AZ thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
AZ blocks the strikes from Marino.
Marino is looking for a sweep. AZ is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
AZ wants to control but Marino is keeping him busy.
AZ blocks the strikes from Marino.
Marino misses with some strikes from the bottom.
AZ wants to lay and pray for a moment but Marino keeps working.
Marino tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

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

AZ changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Marino looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Marino is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked AZ off and has taken his back!
Marino cracks AZ with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing AZ from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marino throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Marino connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for AZ to escape the position.
Marino avoiding AZ 's attempts to control his hands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oooh a big shot gets through from Marino. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanton AZ dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

AZ throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Marino feints the counter takedown.

AZ bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Marino manages to work his way to half guard, despite AZ's best efforts.
AZ prevents Marino from improving his position.
Marino tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Marino regains full guard. Nicely done.
AZ stands up out of Marino's guard for a moment - Marino manages to land a nice upkick.
AZ might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Marino will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marino throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Marino looking to hit a scissor sweep but AZ is one step ahead there.
Marino lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marino is in close to AZ's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Marino distracts AZ with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Marino in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marino with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Marino connects with a couple of short punches.

AZ has his foot on Marino's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Marino works his way back into a safe position though.
AZ looking to hit a scissor sweep but Marino is one step ahead there.
Marino working some strikes from top position.
Marino content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

AZ is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Marino lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marino scoring with some ground and pound.
Marino is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Marino working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Marino with a nice head shot there.
AZ working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Marino.
Marino keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of AZ's head.
Marino with a nice head shot there.
Marino cracks AZ with a solid left hand.
Marino lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Marino postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marino landing some decent shots from guard.
Marino landing some decent shots from guard.

AZ is rocked!
Marino is in close to AZ's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Oh AZ is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Marino connects with a couple of short punches.
Marino must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Marino loads up on a big left hand. AZ felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Marino looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! AZ can't hide his disappointment, as Marino celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dominik Marino!
A very excited looking Dominik Marino made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.