PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wang Chung (ranked 1118 p4p, 2281 weight class) and Han Mariduena (ranked 124 p4p, 228 weight class). Wang Chung has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Chung
vs
Mariduena

201 cm
28
266
11 - 5 - 0

190 cm
29
213
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Wang Chung!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Han Mariduena!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mariduena has Chung up against the cage in a clinch.
Mariduena lands a hook that snaps the head of Chung backwards.

Chung gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Mariduena regains guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Mariduena has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Chung can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Chung slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mariduena has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Shinobi Martial Arts & Ninjutsu . Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Mariduena wants to sweep here but Chung controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mariduena striking off his back but it's not causing Chung any problems.
Mariduena looking for a sweep. Not yet Mariduena, not yet.
Chung pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mariduena is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mariduena looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Chung passes into side control.
Mariduena is trying to improve his position.
Mariduena is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Chung passes into side control, despite Mariduena's attempt to control the position.
Mariduena wants to control but Chung postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mariduena tries to strike but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chung working away.
Chung will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mariduena is trying to improve his position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Mariduena is trying to control Chung's posture but Chung avoids it.
Mariduena is letting Chung control him for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mariduena wants to clinch up but Chung keeps it at a distance.
Wang Chung seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Chung darts in and clinches Mariduena up against the cage.
Chung tries to throw a body punch but Mariduena avoids it by throwing Chung back against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Chung obliges.
Mariduena looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chung throws a head punch that misses.
Chung tries to land a knee to the head but Mariduena blocks with his arms.
Chung tries for a takedown. No joy.
Chung using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mariduena has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Mariduena has hold of one of Chung's legs. Chung is fighting the takedown attempt but Mariduena gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Chung utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mariduena cracks Chung with a solid left hand.
Chung pulls Mariduena in close to prevent any damage.
Mariduena wants to control from the top but Chung keeps moving.
Mariduena working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mariduena accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mariduena trying to control the position from guard on top but Chung is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mariduena stopping the sweep attempt from Chung.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Chung utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mariduena with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Chung moves into the clinch.
Mariduena blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chung with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Mariduena breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mariduena throws an overhand right that lands on Chung's shoulder, as Chung tries to avoid the shot.

Chung gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chung using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mariduena has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Chung tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Mariduena is fighting off a takedown attempt but Chung is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mariduena to the mat. Mariduena regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wang Chung dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Mariduena swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Chung clinches.
Chung misses with a knee strike.

Mariduena's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Chung throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mariduenas head.
Chung has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Mariduena blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Chung is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mariduena can do to turn this around?
Mariduena tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wang Chung has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Mariduena pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mariduena throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chung is looking to clinch.
Mariduena circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chung tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mariduena manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chung looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mariduena swats away the attempt to clinch by Chung.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chung clinches with his opponent.
Mariduena tries to stall but Chung uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Chung tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mariduena's elbow.
Chung looking to throw knees to the head but Mariduena is blocking nicely.
Mariduena wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Chung has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mariduena avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Chung tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mariduena avoiding damage as Chung throws knees to the body.
Mariduena tries to circle away but Chung has him pinned against the cage.
Chung with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Mariduena's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Chung drops his hands momentarily and Mariduena takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Chung has closed the distance and engaged Mariduena in a clinch.
Mariduena is looking to break free of the clinch but Chung has double underhooks.

Mariduena pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Chung tries to clinch up.
Jab by Mariduena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chung tries to clinch there but Mariduena circles away.
Chung blocks a jab.

Chung has Mariduena up against the cage in a clinch.
Mariduena managing to block the knees to the body from Chung.
Chung is leaning against Mariduena and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chung missing with knees to the body.
Chung lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mariduena.
Chung tries to work over Mariduena's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chung missing with knees to the body.
Mariduena wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Chung has him pressed against the cage.
Mariduena avoiding damage as Chung throws knees to the body.
Chung tries for a takedown but Mariduena manages to get underhooks.
Mariduena goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mariduena.
Mariduena blocks a body shot from Chung.
Chung misses with a punch to the body.
Mariduena can't break the clinch.
Chung misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mariduena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mariduena breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mariduena tries to clinch but Chung moves out of range.

Mariduena tries to keep at a distance but Chung has taken the fight into the clinch.

Mariduena breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Chung tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Mariduena counters with a left to the body.
Mariduena swats away the attempt to clinch by Chung.
Chung tries to clinch

and Mariduena counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Chung has control of Mariduena's left arm, preventing Mariduena from doing any damage.
Wang Chung overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Chung looking for a sweep. Not yet Chung, not yet.
Mariduena slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mariduena seems to be working for a kimura but Chung defends the submission attempt.

Mariduena is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Chung defends it well.
Chung trying to hold on to Mariduena's head to control him but Mariduena postures up.
Mariduena looks to land a strike but Chung avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Chung bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mariduena's guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Han Mariduena will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Chung tries to clinch up but Mariduena circles away and keeps his distance.
Mariduena tries to clinch up.
Chung looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Chung tries to clinch up but Mariduena circles away and keeps his distance.
Mariduena looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Chung closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mariduena prevents a body shot from Chung.
A frustrated look appears on Mariduena's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mariduena lands a left hand that snaps the head of Chung backwards.

Mariduena pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Chung doesn't manage to clinch there - Mariduena circles away.
Mariduena fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Chung looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Chung tries to clinch but Mariduena is having none of it.
Mariduena looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice cross by Mariduena.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chung tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mariduena! But no joy.
Han Mariduena seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mariduena swats away the attempt to clinch by Chung.
It seemed like Mariduena was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mariduena tries to clinch but Chung is having none of it.
Mariduena throws a jab when Chung was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariduena circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mariduena tries to counter by closing the distance.
Chung wants to clinch
enabling Mariduena to counter with a crisp jab.
Mariduena tries to clinch up.
Chung moves in looking to clinch but Mariduena pushes him off.
Chung wants to clinch but Mariduena slips to the side
enabling Mariduena to counter with a crisp jab.
Mariduena throws out a loose jab but Chung uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mariduena throws a body shot but no joy.
Chung doesn't manage to clinch there - Mariduena circles away.
Chung fails in his attempt to clinch.
Chung is looking to clinch.
Mariduena throws a shot from downtown. Chung moves away and avoids it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chung looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mariduena might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Chung wants to clinch.
Mariduena looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chung takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Mariduena jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Chung fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mariduena wants to counter the offense by Chung and move into the clinch position.
Chung tries to clinch but Mariduena moves away
and Mariduena cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mariduena misses the shot to the body.
Chung showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mariduena.
Chung dodges the punch combination from Mariduena.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mariduena throws a shot from downtown. Chung moves away and avoids it.
Mariduena lands a nice shot to the body.
Chung fails in his attempt to clinch.

Chung forces Mariduena back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mariduena on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Chung working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Chung is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mariduena is defending well for now.

Mariduena breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice body punch from Mariduena.
A slow jab from Mariduena misses its intended target.

Chung pushes Mariduena up against the cage in a clinch.
Chung tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mariduena avoids it.
Chung has Mariduena pressed against the cage, preventing Mariduena from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mariduena misses with the head strike.

Mariduena breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mariduena misses the jab.
It looked like Chung was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Mariduena moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Chung moves in looking to clinch but Mariduena pushes him off.
Chung fails in his attempt to clinch.
Chung doesn't manage to clinch there - Mariduena circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chung slips under a jab.
Mariduena misses with an uppercut. Chung saw that one coming.

Chung moves into range and clinches up with Mariduena.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chung blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mariduena blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mariduena blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mariduena wants to get back to striking at distance but Chung won't allow it.

Mariduena escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Chung uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mariduena.
Chung tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mariduena paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Despite the aggression on Mariduena's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Chung wants to clinch up but Mariduena keeps it at a distance.
Chung moves away from the strike by Mariduena.
Mariduena works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Chung keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Chung darts in and clinches Mariduena up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Han Mariduena really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Chung is looking to clinch but Mariduena is avoiding it.
A nice side step and Mariduena releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Chung moves in looking to clinch but Mariduena pushes him off.
Mariduena tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Chung manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Chung closes the distance and clinches.

Mariduena's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Chung is looking to clinch.
It seemed like Mariduena was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mariduena swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Chung seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Chung tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mariduena paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Chung tries to clinch there but Mariduena circles away.

Chung has closed the distance and engaged Mariduena in a clinch.

Chung is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Mariduena can't fight it off and eventually Chung manages to take the fight to the floor. Mariduena looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chung controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Mariduena is looking for a triangle here but Chung uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariduena is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Mariduena's face as Chung controls the position.
Mariduena can't do much from the bottom here.
Chung remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

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.
Mariduena struggling a bit here.
Mariduena trying to remain calm as Chung controls from the top position.
Mariduena is looking for a sweep.
Mariduena struggling a bit here.
You can see the frustration on Mariduena's face as Chung controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mariduena keeps the fight on the outside.
It seemed like Mariduena was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Chung looks to clinch
and Mariduena counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Chung avoids the body shot from Mariduena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chung instigates a clinch.
Chung tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Mariduena escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Chung tries to clinch but Mariduena moves out of range.
Mariduena pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Chung is looking to clinch.
Chung slips a jab from Mariduena.
Chung wants to clinch.
Decent striking displayed by Mariduena there.
Mariduena avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Chung is looking to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mariduena! But no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chung rushes Mariduena and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mariduena misses with a body punch.
Mariduena avoiding damage as Chung throws knees to the body.
Chung unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mariduena lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mariduena misses with a punch to the body.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Mariduena. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Mariduena misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mariduena misses with a body punch.

Mariduena's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Chung tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Chung doesn't manage to clinch there - Mariduena circles away.

Chung closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
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!
Mariduena wants to get back to striking at distance but Chung won't allow it.
Chung is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mariduena is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mariduena avoiding damage as Chung throws knees to the body.
Chung misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chung landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Mariduena is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Chung tries a knee to the head but Mariduena blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Wang Chung will probably get the nod.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Chung moves to clinch but Mariduena breaks away
and Mariduena counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Chung wants to clinch but Mariduena slips to the side
and Mariduena connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chung tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mariduena manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mariduena scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mariduena takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Mariduena tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Chung defending well as Mariduena loads up on a big left hand.
It looked like Chung wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Chung tries to clinch up.
Chung fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chung looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mariduena tries to clinch up.
Chung on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Mariduena scores with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chung looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Chung tries to clinch but Mariduena moves out of range.
Mariduena throws a right hand that Chung ducks under and follows up with a left that Chung also avoids with ease.
Chung wants to clinch
and Mariduena counters with a right hand to the body.
Chung looks to clinch
and Mariduena counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Chung tries to clinch up but Mariduena circles away and keeps his distance.
Decent striking displayed by Mariduena there.
Chung fails in his attempt to clinch.
Chung fails in his attempt to clinch.
Chung moves to clinch but Mariduena breaks away
and Mariduena counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mariduena lands a two punch combo.
Chung tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Mariduena counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chung has taken the fight to the 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!
Chung looking to throw knees to the head but Mariduena is blocking nicely.
Mariduena avoiding damage as Chung throws knees to the body.

Mariduena manages to break the clinch.
Mariduena circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mariduena swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mariduena misses with a series of wild punches.
Chung fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mariduena throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chung keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mariduena.
Mariduena misses the shot to the body.
Chung doesn't manage to clinch there - Mariduena circles away.
Mariduena misses with a hook.
Chung wants to clinch up but Mariduena keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Mariduena misses.
Chung fails in his attempt to clinch.
Chung tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mariduena manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Chung wants to clinch up but Mariduena keeps it at a distance.
Chung takes a jab right on the kisser.
Chung walks into a straight right hand from Mariduena.
Chung tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mariduena swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Chung showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mariduena.
Chung tries to clinch but Mariduena is having none of it.
Mariduena lands with a cross.
Mariduena keeps the fight on the outside.
Chung tries to clinch up but Mariduena circles away and keeps his distance.
Mariduena keeps the fight on the outside.
Chung moves in looking to clinch but Mariduena pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chung tries to clinch but Mariduena is having none of it.

Chung clinches up against the cage.

Mariduena escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Chung moves out of range as Mariduena strikes.
Chung avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chung looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mariduena is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Mariduena avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Chung tries to clinch but Mariduena moves out of range.
Mariduena throws out a counter right but Chung avoids it with no problem.
Chung tries to clinch up
and Mariduena counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mariduena scores with a sloppy right hand. Chung should have avoided that one.
Mariduena throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Chung swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Chung tries to clinch there but Mariduena circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Han Mariduena comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mariduena 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:48
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Han Mariduena!
Han Mariduena is the new heavyweight champion!
An intense looking Han Mariduena took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Quien es el siguiente!!!'.