PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marcus North (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JB Trent (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

North
vs
Trent

174 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
145 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marcus North!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, JB Trent!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Steve Erwin and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Trent moves into the clinch.
North is trying to force a seperation but Trent has the dominant position.
North gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Trent.
Trent drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

North is fighting off a takedown attempt but Trent is just too persistent for him and manages to trip North to the mat. North regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
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.
North tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
North is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Trent pushes down on North's leg and manages to get into half guard.
North on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if North tries to get out of the position.
Trent prevents North from standing back up.
Trent trying to mount his opponent but North defends it.
Trent is thwarting North's attempts to control the position.
North won't allow Trent to pass to mount.
Trent is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North tries to kick Trent off but Trent keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Trent closes the distance and clinches.
North looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Trent keeps control of North as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
North has had enough of the clinch but Trent keeps him there for the moment.

North breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A nice leg kick lands there from North.
Marcus North is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
North misses with a looping right.
A head kick misses from North.
Marcus North seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Trent tries to clinch there but North circles away.
North misses with a head kick.
North throws a head kick but Trent moves out of range.
North throws a head kick but Trent moves out of range.
North misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from North.
North is breathing heavily.
North throws the left hand but Trent avoids the punch easily.
Crunch! North slams his shin into Trent's torso.

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.
Trent shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has North pinned against the cage. North gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Marcus North has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JB Trent.
Trent fails with a takedown attempt.
A slow jab from North misses its intended target.
No luck for Trent with that takedown attempt.
North misses with a straight right.
North throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Trent.
North throws a hook to the side of Trent's head but Trent sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
North throws a head kick that half lands.
North connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Trent wants to clinch up but North keeps it at a distance.
North throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from North.
Trent blocks a head kick by North.
North misses with a head kick.
Trent has a takedown stuffed.
Trent walks into a stiff left hand from North.
North punishes Trent's body with a nice straight punch.
A head kick from North lands but Trent takes it in his stride.
Trent throws a leg kick
and North counters with a series of strikes. Trent will be more careful next time no doubt.
North throws a sloppy head kick and Trent moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from North.
North stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Trent ducks under a wild hook from North.
North throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Trent throws a head kick but North moves out of range.

That's four 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.
North throws a lazy head kick

and Trent counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Trent.

North breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Trent slips under a jab from North.
North throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Trent.
A head kick misses from North.
The fighters circling - North throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
North pulls out of a head kick attempt.
North misses with a head kick.
A head kick by North misses

and Trent counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Trent.
North wants to stand up but Trent is controlling him.
Trent is looking to work some ground and pound but North has wrist control.
North keeping moving, preventing Trent from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

North fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Trent shoots for a double leg takedown but North sprawls well. He's pushed Trent's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A head kick misses from North.
North misses with a low kick.
Trent uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by North.
North throws a head kick that misses

and Trent counters by moving into the clinch.
North is trying to break the clinch but Trent is controlling him.
Trent has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. North avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Trent prevents North from breaking the clinch.
Trent is trying to work for a single leg takedown but North pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Marcus North has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JB Trent.

North gets control of Trent's arms and successfully pulls guard. North will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
North tries to land a sweep but no joy.
North wants to get back to his feet but Trent is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Trent thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Trent slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
North is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Trent stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. North swivels though and keeps the full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A head kick misses from North.
North buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by North. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of North.
North tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

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.
Trent tries to close the distance and clinch but North swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
North throws a sloppy head kick and Trent moves out of range easily.
North checks a leg kick nicely.
North pulls out of a head kick attempt.
North throws a hook to the side of Trent's head but Trent sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Trent tries to score a power double leg takedown but North sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Trent somewhat.
North throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A head kick from North lands but Trent takes it in his stride.
North scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
North lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
North connects with a body shot.
Trent throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around North's waist but North gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Trent off to one side.
North throws a head kick but Trent moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
North throws out a powerful jab.
Trent shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts North as he jumps to the side.
North feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Trent's calf.
A telegraphed right hand from North misses the target.
North throws a sloppy head kick

and Trent holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Trent fails to land.
North is looking to break free of the clinch but Trent has double underhooks.
Trent is looking to control North's arms but North gets an underhook and turns him. Now Trent has his back to the cage.
North is trying to break the clinch but Trent is controlling him.
North is trying to force a seperation but Trent has the dominant position.
North wants to get back to striking at distance but Trent won't allow it.
North stops a takedown attempt from Trent.
North is looking to break free of the clinch but Trent has double underhooks.

North pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Trent keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from North.
Trent has a takedown stuffed.

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.
North throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
North misses with an attempted mid kick.
North defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Trent.
North lands with a kick to the temple. Trent shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
North throws a nice head kick!
Trent shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as North sprawls well. North wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Trent gets slowly back to his feet.
Trent shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says North as he avoids it easily.

Trent bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Trent trying to control the position but North is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus North dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from North misses the target.

Trent changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. North looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
North knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Trent on the ground.
Trent trying to control the position but North is working away.
North is trying to control Trent's posture but Trent avoids it.
Trent scores with punches from side control.
Trent trying to control the action but North is working from the bottom.
Trent postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trent working the ground and pound but North is defending the strikes.
North tries to improve position but can't.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Trent avoids the head kick by North.
Trent avoids the head kick by North.
North throws a head kick that misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for North.
Some wild striking there from Trent.
Trent chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before North can pounce on him.
North tries a head kick but it misses.
Trent avoids the head kick by North.
A bone on bone clash there as Trent blocks the leg kick.
North lands with an overhand left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
North misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
North throws a sloppy head kick and Trent moves out of range easily.
North throws a lazy head kick

and Trent counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Trent is fighting to break North's control of his arms but North is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
North keeping moving, preventing Trent from controlling successfully.
Trent loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Trent has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
North pulls Trent in to control the position.
Trent trying to control but North is working from the bottom.
North looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trent controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Trent wants to control from the top but North keeps moving.
Trent is looking to work some ground and pound but North has wrist control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
North throws a head kick that Trent semi-blocks.
North throws a head kick that misses

and Trent counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Trent throwing shots but North is blocking nicely.
Trent is trying to control the action in half guard but North is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
North is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
North is staying active underneath Trent, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Trent missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
North trying to control from the bottom.

Trent is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. North doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Trent.
Trent thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed North's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
JB Trent comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Trent 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... JB Trent!