PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Graham Marsh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markcus Sparkus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Marsh
vs
Sparkus

205 cm
18
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 London, Graham Marsh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Markcus Sparkus!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sparkus moves into range and clinches up with Marsh.
Sparkus is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Marsh wants the takedown. Sparkus is fighting it off but Marsh persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Sparkus's guard against the cage.
Marsh content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Marsh postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sparkus is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Marsh, into his guard.
Marsh trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Sparkus's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Marsh has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sparkus is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Marsh.
Marsh tries to buck Sparkus off but Sparkus is having none of it.
Marsh regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Sparkus is going to stand back up.
Marsh is staying active underneath Sparkus, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sparkus thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Marsh's head.
Marsh wants to improve his position but Sparkus is controlling well.
Sparkus wants to pass the guard but Marsh is defending well.
Marsh wants to get back to full guard but Sparkus has mounted him!
Marsh is trying to escape the mount.
Marsh is squirming around, avoiding Sparkus's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Marsh is trying to escape the mount.
Sparkus working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Sparkus landing strikes from the mount and Marsh is in trouble!
Marsh is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sparkus putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Sparkus jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Marsh is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Marsh and Sparkus has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Sparkus in side control, throwing shots but Marsh defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsh tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sparkus wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Marsh prevents Sparkus from improving position.
Marsh is trying to control Sparkus's posture but Sparkus avoids it.
Marsh wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Marsh is breathing heavily.
Marsh is looking to regain half guard here but Sparkus keeps moving and retains side control.
Marsh is not content to let Sparkus control the position.

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.
You can see the frustration on Marsh's face as Sparkus controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Marsh shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sparkus is on top in guard.
Marsh is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Sparkus is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Markcus Sparkus will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Marsh shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sparkus sprawls well. Sparkus wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Marsh gets slowly back to his feet.
Marsh misses with a body kick.
Marsh tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Sparkus counters with a good, hard body kick but Marsh shrugs it off.
Sparkus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Marsh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sparkus throws a looping overhand right but Marsh ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sparkus shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Marsh counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Marsh wants to control from the top but Sparkus keeps moving.
Sparkus is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marsh drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Sparkus dives on top into guard.
Sparkus controls from within his opponent's guard.
Marsh looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Marsh wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Sparkus is now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sparkus is trying to control the action in half guard but Marsh is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Marsh is defending against the submission attempts here by Sparkus.
Marsh is looking to improve his position.
Sparkus tries to pass to full mount but Marsh defends it.
Marsh wants to improve his position but Sparkus is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Marsh gets the takedown into side control.
Graham Marsh overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Marsh working away.
Sparkus is not content to let Marsh control the position.

Marsh working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Marsh laying and praying for a moment but Sparkus takes advantage and regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsh trying to mount his opponent but Sparkus defends it.
Marsh will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Marsh is working hard here to advance position.
Sparkus manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Graham Marsh dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Marsh shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Marsh showed some decent athleticism there.
Marsh is trying to control the action in half guard but Sparkus is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sparkus landing rabbit punches to the side of Marsh's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Marsh working Sparkus over with strikes.
Sparkus is looking to improve his position.

Marsh is trying to work for a kimura but Sparkus is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsh is looking to pass Sparkus's guard but actually Sparkus recovers to full guard.
Sparkus is trying to control the position but Marsh postures up.
Marsh seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Marsh trying to control but Sparkus is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sparkus trying to keep a closed guard but Marsh is proving a slippery customer.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Marsh accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sparkus fails with the takedown.

Marsh scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sparkus pushes Marsh off looking to stand but Marsh dives back in and keeps control.
Marsh working Sparkus over with strikes.
Marsh perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsh is trying to control the action in half guard but Sparkus is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sparkus is looking to improve his position.
Marsh is looking to advance position but Sparkus won't allow it.
Marsh knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sparkus on the ground.
Sparkus regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sparkus controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sparkus working a defensive guard here.
Marsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Sparkus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sparkus is trying to control the position but Marsh postures up.

Marsh stands up and waves to Sparkus to follow him.
Marsh stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Marsh wants it to stay on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sparkus fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Marsh sprawls well initially but Sparkus persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Marsh is trying to stand back up but Sparkus is controlling him

And that's the end of the fight!
Graham Marsh showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Marsh has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Graham Marsh!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for Graham Marsh!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Graham Marsh!

Graham Marsh wins by unanimous decision!