PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Massi Vass (ranked 697 p4p, 1707 weight class) and Yves Marchant (ranked 91 p4p, 195 weight class). Yves Marchant has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Massi Vass's chin.

Vass
vs
Marchant

178 cm
26
155
4 - 1 - 0

171 cm
26
154
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

EL ZOIDO FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Massi Vass!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yves Marchant!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vass punishes Marchant's body with a nice straight punch.
Vass throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Vass rushes Marchant and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Marchant can't find room to land a body shot as Vass controls the action.
Good body shot from Vass.
Marchant wants to break free but Vass has control.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Marchant has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Vass.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vass.
Vass lands with a light punch inside.
Marchant tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vass's elbow.
Marchant blocks an uppercut.
Marchant fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Come on Marchant - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A right hook to the body lands for Vass.
Vass is looking to control Marchant's arms but Marchant gets an underhook and turns him. Now Vass has his back to the cage.

Marchant jumps guard and drags Vass to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Vass preventing the sweep.
Marchant is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vass is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marchant throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Marchant looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Vass puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Vass is taking a breather. Marchant says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Marchant tries to roll over but Vass keeps him under control.
Marchant keeps trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Marchant has a hand on Vass's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Vass takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Vass tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Vass is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Marchant is looking to improve his position but Vass isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vass mounts Marchant! Really nice guard pass there!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vass can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Marchant is looking to escape.
Marchant tries to reverse the position but Vass maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Marchant wants to control but Vass is having none of it.
Vass trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Marchant tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Vass can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Marchant is looking to escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marchant tries to reverse the position but Vass maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Massi Vass dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vass swings for the body but Marchant moves out of range.
A lazy left from Vass finds it's target.
Marchant shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Vass is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marchant can do to turn this around?
Vass ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Marchant shoots for a double leg takedown but Vass sprawls well. He's pushed Marchant's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Vass throws a right hand that misses

and Marchant counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Marchant is trying to control. Vass wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Marchant works his way into full mount!
Vass wants to control but Marchant is having none of it.
Marchant trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marchant has control of Vass's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Vass regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Marchant fails to move to back control.
Marchant is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Yves Marchant has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two 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.

Marchant goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Vass turns into him and now he's in Marchant's guard.
Marchant can't keep his opponent in guard - Vass advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vass sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Vass wants to stand up but Marchant is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marchant gets full guard.
Vass pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marchant is keeping the position for now.
Vass won't allow Marchant to sweep him here.
Vass trying to control the position from guard on top but Marchant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marchant manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vass manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vass wants to sweep here but Marchant controlling him for the moment.
Vass is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Marchant looking to pass the guard.

Marchant drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Vass manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Marchant has Vass in his guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Marchant escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vass gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
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 Massi Vass will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vass throws a body shot but no joy.
Marchant changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Vass pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vass is looking to wear down Marchant with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Vass throws a right and a left that Marchant avoids nicely.
Marchant with the counter takedown but Vass avoids it easily.
Marchant throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice body punch from Vass.

Marchant looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Marchant is pressing down on Vass's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vass is holding on for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vass makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Vass.
Vass trying to keep a closed guard but Marchant is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchant trying to control the position from guard on top but Vass is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marchant postures up.
Marchant trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Vass manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Vass sitting in guard here, content to control.

Marchant is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vass is aware though and is defending well.
Marchant looking for a sweep. Not yet Marchant, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vass is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Marchant trying to control the position.
Vass is looking to stand up but Marchant won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marchant keeping moving, preventing Vass from controlling successfully.
Vass wants to pass the guard but Marchant is keeping the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Marchant misses with a straight right.
Vass wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Vass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marchant tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vass sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marchant somewhat.
Vass misses with an uppercut.
Marchant changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Vass swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vass tries a head kick but it misses.
Vass scores with a hook.
Marchant takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Vass loads up on a big right hand but Marchant slips the punch.
Vass scores with a crisp jab that stopped Marchant in his tracks.
Massi Vass is winning the standup battle so far.
Marchant closes the distance and clinches up with Vass, looking for a takedown. Marchant pushes Vass against the cage but Vass circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vass throws a nice outside leg kick.
A left lands for Vass.
Vass throws a one two combo.

It looks like Yves Marchant has been cut.
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!
Vass lands with a nice body punch.
Vass looks to score with a jab to the body but Marchant is just out of range.
Vass throws out a loose jab but Marchant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vass throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Vass jabs at Marchant's body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vass throws a hook but Marchant blocks it.
Marchant fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Massi Vass has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yves Marchant.
Marchant dives in and grabs Vass's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vass pushes down on Marchant's head and hops out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Massi Vass clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Yves Marchant's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Vass throws a leg kick

and Marchant counters with a single leg into guard. Vass didn't expect that.
Marchant pushing down on Vass's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Marchant is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vass doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Marchant.
Vass holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marchant is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Vass sees it coming and defends easily.

Marchant is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Vass is just riding it out for now. Marchant eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vass wants to get back to full guard.
Marchant tries to pass the half guard into mount. Vass knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Marchant trying to control the action but Vass is working from the bottom.

That's two 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.

Marchant is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Marchant is looking for a kimura here.
Vass gets full guard.
Marchant being controlled here momentarily.
Vass is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vass misses the shot to the body.
Marchant keeps the fight on the outside.
Marchant keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vass.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Marchant! But no joy.
Vass misses with a looping left.
Vass ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marchant moves away.
Vass misses with a body shot

and Marchant counters with a nice double leg into side control. Vass won't be happy with that.

Marchant is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vass is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Marchant advances to full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vass manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Marchant is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vass doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Marchant.
Marchant trying to mount his opponent but Vass defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yves Marchant dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Yves Marchant's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Marchant slips under a jab.
Marchant is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Vass jabs at Marchant's body.
Marchant dives in and grabs Vass's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vass pushes down on Marchant's head and hops out.
Marchant bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A right-left combo lands from Vass.
Vass bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Marchant on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Vass looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vass connects with a crisp jab.
Vass connects with a looping right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Marchant.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchant misses with a takedown
and Vass counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Massi Vass has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yves Marchant.
Vass defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Marchant.
Marchant shoots and misses
and Vass counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vass misses with a wild combination.
Marchant ducks right into an uppercut from Vass.
Marchant moves out of range of the strikes.
Vass tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marchant was well out of range. Poor timing from Vass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchant uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vass.
Sloppy strikes from Vass. Those never looked like landing.
Marchant goes for a double leg but Vass avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Vass continues to drive forward.
Vass throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice shot by Vass.
Marchant defending well as Vass loads up on a big left hand.
Marchant uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vass.
Vass ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Vass slips under a jab from Marchant.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marchant misses with a straight left.
Vass is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Marchant.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vass scores with a head kick.
Vass throws a leg kick

and Marchant counters with a single leg into guard. Vass didn't expect that.
Marchant sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Vass's guard.
Marchant wants to pass to mount but Vass is defending the position.

Marchant is looking for a kimura but Vass is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Marchant to get the leverage.
Marchant is pressing down on Vass's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vass is holding on for now.

Marchant is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vass tries to get to full guard but Marchant has control of the leg.

Marchant is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Marchant seems to be working for a kimura but Vass defends the submission attempt.
Vass is looking to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Massi Vass showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vass has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 49:46
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 49:46
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Massi Vass!
Massi Vass retains his featherweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Massi Vass thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.