PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ned Flanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and DeMarco Mariano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). DeMarco Mariano has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Flanders
vs
Mariano

185 cm
20
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
22
227 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ned Flanders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, DeMarco Mariano!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mariano walks into a left hand.
Flanders connects with a body shot.
Flanders scores with a jab to the body.
Flanders wants to slow Mariano down by chopping away at his legs.
Mariano shoots in for a takedown but Flanders shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Flanders could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mariano is defended easily by Flanders.
Flanders keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ned Flanders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DeMarco Mariano.
Mariano moves out of range as Flanders strikes.
Flanders throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ned Flanders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Flanders walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mariano checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Mariano fails with a takedown attempt.
Flanders misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mariano.
Mariano avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Flanders moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mariano checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Flanders is fending him off so far but Mariano persists. Nope, Flanders circles away and we're back to standing.
Mariano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Flanders.
A shot to de liver by Flanders. Beautiful body shot.
Mariano tries to clinch but Flanders moves out of range.

Mariano closes the distance and clinches.
Flanders is trying to break the clinch but Mariano is controlling him.
Mariano unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Flanders has had enough of the clinch but Mariano keeps him there for the moment.
Flanders is leaning against Mariano and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Mariano tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Flanders just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mariano tries to pull guard but Flanders holds him up against the cage and eventually Mariano drops back down to his feet.
Flanders wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mariano has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Flanders is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Mariano pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Flanders. No joy for Mariano on that attempt.
Mariano looks gassed!
Flanders connects with a crisp jab.
Flanders throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice jab there from Flanders.
Flanders swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Flanders keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Flanders connects with a crisp jab.
Mariano takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Flanders scores with a punch to the head.
Flanders works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mariano displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Flanders throws out the jab.
Flanders misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Flanders.
Flanders swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mariano.
Mariano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mariano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Flanders is fending him off so far but Mariano persists. Nope, Flanders circles away and we're back to standing.
A lazy left from Flanders finds it's target.
Mariano is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Some wild striking there from Flanders.
Flanders throws a hook to the side of Mariano's head but Mariano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Flanders is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Flanders.
Flanders sizes up Mariano with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mariano is trying desperately to land a takedown but Flanders is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Mariano.
Mariano moves out of range as Flanders throws a body kick.
Flanders throws a chopping leg kick but Mariano manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Mariano slips a jab and a cross from Flanders.

Flanders closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Flanders lands in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flanders wants to get up but he can't break Mariano's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Flanders slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Flanders looking to pass the guard.
Mariano has his hands on Flanders's head, controlling the position.
Flanders is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Flanders cracks Mariano with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ned Flanders 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.

Mariano takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Mariano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Flanders.
Mariano shoots and misses
and Flanders cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mariano takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Mariano slips a jab and a cross from Flanders.
Flanders tries to clinch but Mariano is having none of it.
Mariano doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Flanders counters with a nice uppercut.
Flanders misses with a few strikes there.
Flanders's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Flanders duly obliges.

Flanders shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Flanders controlling from the full mount.
Mariano is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flanders seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Mariano for as long as he can get away with.

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.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Ned Flanders just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Flanders shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Flanders was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Flanders controlling from mount.
Flanders trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Flanders controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flanders looking to control but Mariano is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Flanders tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Flanders prevents Mariano from getting the reversal.
Flanders takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Ned Flanders just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Flanders lands with a cross.

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.
Flanders blocks a head kick by Mariano.
Flanders swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Mariano avoids the body shot from Flanders.
Mariano uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Flanders.
A left and a right from Flanders both land. Nice combination.
Mariano stalks Flanders and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Flanders's face. Flanders staggers backwards, shaken.

Mariano gets caught flat footed, as Flanders shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Flanders controlling from the top position.
Mariano keeping moving, preventing Flanders from controlling successfully.
Flanders has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mariano is proving hard to escape from.
Flanders is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ned Flanders dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Flanders tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mariano is able to avoid easily.
Mariano changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Flanders tries to avoid it but Mariano manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Flanders to the ground. Flanders escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mariano uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Flanders.
Ned Flanders is winning the standup battle so far.
Flanders connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Flanders connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Flanders scores with a sloppy right hand. Mariano should have avoided that one.
Flanders misses the jab.
Flanders fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mariano manages to avoid it.
Flanders connects with a single shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flanders throws a looping overhand right but Mariano ducks down to avoid it.
Mariano throws a sloppy head kick and Flanders moves out of range easily.
Mariano tries to clinch but Flanders is having none of it.
Flanders misses with a two punch combination.
Flanders throws a leg kick but Mariano sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flanders throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mariano.
Flanders misses with a hook.
Flanders throws a sloppy head kick

and Mariano counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Flanders's guard now.

Mariano drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Flanders manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mariano has Flanders in his guard.
Mariano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Flanders slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Flanders tries to free his leg and advance position but Mariano is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flanders sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Flanders working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Flanders controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Flanders postures up.
Flanders showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Flanders has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Flanders trying to control but Mariano is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Ned Flanders just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Mariano misses with a takedown attempt
and Flanders connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mariano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Flanders.
Mariano steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Flanders.
Flanders scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Flanders scores with the left hand. Mariano knows he should have avoided that one.
Mariano displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Flanders throws out the jab.
Flanders throws a series of punches but Mariano avoids them all with ease.
Nice uppercut there from Flanders.
Flanders dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mariano shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mariano tries for a takedown but Flanders circles away easily
and Flanders counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ned Flanders has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DeMarco Mariano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flanders looks to land a left hand but Mariano moved out of range nicely.
Flanders will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Flanders misses with a double jab

and Mariano holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Flanders manages to break the clinch.
Flanders swings for the body but Mariano moves out of range.
Flanders connects with a nice looking jab.
DeMarco Mariano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fight stays on the outside here - Flanders looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mariano has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mariano keeps the fight on the outside.
Ned Flanders is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mariano chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Flanders can pounce on him.
Mariano moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
DeMarco Mariano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Flanders with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Flanders connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ned Flanders showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Flanders, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ned Flanders!