PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James McEchrean (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yunel Martinez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McEchrean
vs
Martinez

171 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

169 cm
20
151 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James McEchrean !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yunel Martinez!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Martinez scores with a takedown into McEchrean 's guard.
Martinez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Martinez wants to pass the guard but McEchrean is keeping the position.
Martinez prevents McEchrean from getting back to his feet.
Martinez stays in close to McEchrean 's body and controls the position.
McEchrean wants to sweep here but Martinez controlling him for the moment.
Martinez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McEchrean wants to sweep here but Martinez controlling him for the moment.
Martinez controlling from the top position.
McEchrean looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Martinez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. McEchrean looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
McEchrean prevents Martinez from improving position.
McEchrean tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez takes a little break here. McEchrean wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
I looks like Martinez 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.
Let's hope that Martinez 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.
McEchrean is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Martinez has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Martinez is staying tight to McEchrean 's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Martinez tries to move into full mount but can't pass McEchrean 's legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McEchrean is trying to improve his position.

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.
You can see the frustration on McEchrean 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Martinez is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
McEchrean prevents Martinez from moving into mount.
McEchrean is trying to get back to half guard.
McEchrean is breathing heavily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McEchrean lands with a thumping leg kick.
McEchrean shoots in looking for a takedown. Martinez tries to sprawl out of it but McEchrean keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Martinez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Martinez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McEchrean manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Martinez tries to free his leg and advance position but McEchrean is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Martinez advances to half guard.
Martinez controlling the action here.
McEchrean wants to improve his position but Martinez is controlling well.
Martinez stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four 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.
McEchrean tries to kick Martinez off but Martinez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Martinez keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Martinez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for McEchrean !
Martinez controlling from mount.

Despite being in the dominant position, Yunel Martinez just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

McEchrean has Martinez up against the cage in a clinch.
Martinez goes for a takedown in the clinch but McEchrean prevents it.

Martinez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yunel Martinez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Martinez tries to clinch but McEchrean is having none of it.
McEchrean swinging wilding here.
Martinez wants to clinch.

Martinez closes the distance and pushes McEchrean back into the cage.
McEchrean can't break the clinch.
Martinez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McEchrean is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Martinez prevents a takedown attempt there.

Martinez manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martinez fails with the takedown
and McEchrean counters with a head kick. That will keep Martinez thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
McEchrean displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Martinez.
James McEchrean has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yunel Martinez.
McEchrean keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McEchrean shoots in for a takedown but Martinez shows good takedown defense.

Martinez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

McEchrean has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Martinez off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
McEchrean throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Martinez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
McEchrean is pulling down on Martinez's head to control his posture.
Martinez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McEchrean is keeping the position for now.
McEchrean trying to keep a closed guard but Martinez is proving a slippery customer.
Martinez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Martinez controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Martinez goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, McEchrean rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Martinez's guard! Nice work there by McEchrean !
Martinez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McEchrean !
Martinez controlling from the full mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McEchrean is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Martinez controlling from the full mount.
McEchrean is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four 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.

Despite being in the dominant position, Yunel Martinez just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Martinez shoots in and bounces McEchrean off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Yunel Martinez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Martinez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
McEchrean trying to keep a closed guard but Martinez is proving a slippery customer.
Martinez pushes down on McEchrean 's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Martinez keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
McEchrean wants to improve his position but Martinez is controlling well.
Martinez controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yunel Martinez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McEchrean misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Martinez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
McEchrean is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Martinez asserts his dominance and retains side control.
McEchrean is trying to control Martinez's posture but Martinez avoids it.
Martinez slows the pace down.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McEchrean wants to get back to his feet but Martinez drags him back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martinez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McEchrean is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Despite being in the dominant position, Yunel Martinez just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Martinez shoots in and bounces McEchrean off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Martinez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

McEchrean is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Martinez is aware though and is defending well.
Martinez won't allow McEchrean to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McEchrean can't keep his opponent in guard - Martinez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Martinez is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Martinez prevents McEchrean from improving his position.
Martinez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
McEchrean is trying to stand up here but Martinez is controlling him well.
Martinez performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez wants to free his trapped foot but McEchrean is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Martinez content to control rather than advance.

Despite being in the dominant position, Yunel Martinez just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McEchrean pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Martinez wants to clinch
and McEchrean counters with a one-two to the body.
Yunel Martinez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
James McEchrean is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Martinez shoots for a double leg takedown but McEchrean sprawls well. He's pushed Martinez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McEchrean wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McEchrean slaps away a takedown attempt from Martinez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McEchrean lands with a thumping leg kick.

Martinez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McEchrean trying to control from the bottom.
Martinez works his way into side control.
McEchrean wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
McEchrean prevents Martinez from improving position.
James McEchrean has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McEchrean is trying to improve his position.
McEchrean manages to work his way to half guard, despite Martinez's best efforts.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yunel Martinez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Martinez 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 Suge Night scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yunel Martinez!