PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tim Marks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and marco ruas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). marco ruas acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Marks
vs
ruas

175 cm
20
150 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

178 cm
20
150 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tim Marks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, marco ruas!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jonathan Paton and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marks moves in looking to clinch but ruas pushes him off.
ruas scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
ruas throws a hook but Marks avoids it easily.

Marks bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Marks tries for a kimura but ruas is defending well.
ruas is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Marks is controlling him well.
ruas on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Marks scoring with punches from side control.
ruas is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Marks misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Marks throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marks trying to control the position but ruas is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
ruas is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Marks asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Marks misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Marks.

Marks is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, ruas has escaped the position, nice work there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
The fighters circling - ruas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Marks drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marks wants to control for a moment but ruas uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Marks throwing shots but ruas is blocking nicely.
ruas tries to kick Marks off but Marks keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Marks lands a nice short elbow.
Marks landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Marks is looking for a kimura here.
ruas looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marks winds up and cracks ruas with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
ruas wants to get back to his feet.
ruas regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Marks.
Marks trying to control but ruas is working from the bottom.
ruas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Marks.
Marks working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of ruas's head.
Marks stops ruas from standing up.
Marks throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marks throws a big right hand that misses.
ruas wants to get back to his feet but Marks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
ruas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Marks.
Marks shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says ruas as he avoids it easily.
Marks takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Marks looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Marks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
ruas scores with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from ruas misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Marks dominated that round.
That's time! Marks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

ruas lands a nice shot to the body.
Marks slips under a jab from ruas.
ruas moves into range and connects with a jab.

ruas gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Marks to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Marks throwing strikes from guard but ruas blocks nicely.
ruas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Marks.
Marks throws a strike but ruas rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
ruas tries to stand but Marks is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marks on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Marks tries to get out of the 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.
Marks is looking to stand up but ruas isn't so interested in that idea.
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.
Marks has a closed guard, preventing ruas from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Marks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but ruas circles away quickly and effectively.
A jab from ruas misses.
ruas stuffs the takedown.
Marks tries for a takedown but ruas sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
ruas connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
ruas works the jab nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ruas throws a jab when Marks was well out of range.
ruas throws a big shot that misses.
Nice defenses there by Marks.

ruas gets caught flat footed, as Marks shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Marks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marks trying to control but ruas is working from the bottom.

ruas has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Marks off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from ruas.
ruas fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Marks on the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but marco ruas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Marks avoids the body shot from ruas.
Marks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but ruas circles away quickly and effectively.
ruas looks to score with a jab to the body but Marks is just out of range.
ruas scores with a punch to the head.
Marks takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Marks tries to move into range but ruas moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice cross by ruas.
Marks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. ruas defends it nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Marks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ruas lands a nice shot to the body.
Marks misses with a jab, cross combination.
A jab from ruas misses.
ruas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Marks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tim Marks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marks shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with ruas but ruas pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice shot by ruas.
ruas connects with a body shot.
ruas throws a looping overhand right but Marks ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
ruas lands a nice shot to the body.
Marks has a takedown stuffed.
ruas slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by ruas!
ruas works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
ruas scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
ruas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Marks rushes ruas and presses him up against the cage.
Marks tries to pull guard but ruas won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marks jumps guard.
Marks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
ruas wants to stand but Marks has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

ruas gets to his feet. Marks looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
ruas scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
ruas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
ruas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Marks.
ruas jabs Marks right on the nose. Marks blinks but takes it well.
ruas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

And that's the end of the fight!
marco ruas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think ruas 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... marco ruas!