PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jonah Martin (ranked 4670 p4p, 5093 weight class) and Garbis Topalian (ranked 530 p4p, 562 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Martin
vs
Topalian

189 cm
18
195
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
170
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Fist MMA Gear
Top Gun Nutrition

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jonah Martin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Garbis Topalian!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martin takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Martin misses with a right hand
and Martin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jonah Martin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Topalian fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Martin to the ground. Topalian is now in Martin's guard.
Topalian is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Martin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Topalian content to stall in guard here.
Topalian pushing down on Martin's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Topalian perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Let's hope that Topalian has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Topalian stops Martin from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Topalian has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Topalian takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Martin really wants to buck Topalian off and get back to his feet.
Topalian controlling from the full mount.
Martin is trying to escape the mount but Topalian keeps good control and instead manages to take Martin's back.
Topalian has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Martin's body.
Topalian's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Martin is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Topalian controlling the position well here. Martin rolled but Topalian kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
More stalling from Topalian.
Martin trying to get back to his feet but Topalian is in full control for now.
Topalian really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Martin.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin wants to get back to his feet.
Good control from Topalian.
Martin trying to get back to his feet but Topalian is in full control for now.
I would not like to be Martin right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Topalian might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Topalian is continuing to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Martin wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garbis Topalian dominated that 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.

Topalian bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Topalian slips under a jab.
Martin takes a swing at Topalian's ribcage but misses.
Martin misses with an uppercut
and Topalian counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Topalian slips a straight right by Martin.
Topalian blocks a jab.
Martin has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Martin there as he acknowledges the shot.
Topalian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Martin throws a body shot but no joy.
Martin misses the shot to the body.
Martin swings away with a body shot that misses
and Topalian counters with a nice uppercut.
Topalian slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Topalian slips a jab from Martin.
A jab from Martin misses.
Martin swinging wildly here.
Topalian looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin swings for the body but Topalian moves out of range.
Martin throws an overhand right that lands on Topalian's shoulder, as Topalian tries to avoid the shot.
Topalian appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Martin misses with a series of wild punches.
Martin misses the jab.
Jonah Martin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Martin gets tackled into the ropes by Topalian. Topalian maintains the clinch.

Topalian pulls guard successfully.
Topalian is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Garbis Topalian has got the better of the ground game so far.
Topalian has a closed guard, preventing Martin from standing up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Topalian is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Topalian slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Martin wants to stand up but Topalian is controlling him.
Topalian passes Martin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Martin wants to get back to his feet.
Topalian stalling.
Topalian with more of the same as he continues to hold on.
Topalian works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Topalian controlling the pace for now.
Martin is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.
Topalian controlling from the full mount.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Martin is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Topalian takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Topalian won't let Martin get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Topalian sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Topalian takes Martin's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Martin is in trouble.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Martin trying to get back to his feet but Topalian is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garbis Topalian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Martin throws a lazy uppercut
and Topalian counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Martin swings widly with a right hand
and Topalian counters with a right hand to the body.
Martin throws a body punch but Topalian moves out of range.
Martin throws a nice looking combination but Topalian bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Topalian staying out of range there.
Martin throws a lazy uppercut
and Topalian counters with a nice uppercut.
Martin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Topalian counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Martin looks to score with a jab to the body but Topalian is just out of range.
Martin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Topalian shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Martin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Martin being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Martin can't keep his opponent in guard - Topalian advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Topalian prevents Martin from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Topalian manages to move to mount!
Topalian sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Martin is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Topalian sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Martin really wants to buck Topalian off and get back to his feet.
Topalian controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martin wants to get back to his feet.
Topalian sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Topalian won't let Martin get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Topalian tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The adventures of Topalian the control monster continue. Boring.
You get the feeling that Martin really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Topalian controlling the position easily from mount.
Martin is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Topalian controlling the pace for now.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Topalian.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martin is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Topalian controlling from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jonah Martin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Garbis Topalian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Topalian winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 26:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garbis Topalian!
Garbis Topalian thanked the fans post fight for their support.