PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between DeMarco Mariano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wojtek Svalbard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Mariano
vs
Svalbard

192 cm
24
227 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

200 cm
24
220 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite 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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, DeMarco Mariano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wojtek Svalbard!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Summer Carpenter and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Svalbard stuffs the takedown attempt from Mariano. Mariano gets slowly back to his feet.

Mariano decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Svalbard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mariano pulls his head out easily.
Svalbard is trying to stand up here but Mariano is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Svalbard wants to get back to full guard.
Svalbard has a hand on Mariano's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Mariano takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Svalbard is looking to get to half guard.
Mariano looking to finish with strikes here!
Mariano in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Svalbard tries to hold on but Mariano postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svalbard regains half guard.

Mariano is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Svalbard is just riding it out for now. Mariano eventually gives up the hold.
Mariano prevents Svalbard from improving his position.

Svalbard looking for submissions off his back.

Mariano is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Mariano looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Svalbard looking for submissions off his back.

Mariano is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mariano is breathing heavily.

Svalbard looking for submissions off his back.
Svalbard missing with punches from the bottom.

Svalbard looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Svalbard actively working from the bottom here.

Svalbard looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Mariano wants to work for an arm triangle but Svalbard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Svalbard gets back to full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Svalbard looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Svalbard has his foot on Mariano's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mariano works his way back into a safe position though.
Svalbard working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Svalbard is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mariano is aware though and is defending well.

Svalbard has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mariano can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Svalbard escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mariano gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Svalbard is looking for a triangle but Mariano pushes his legs off easily.
Mariano wants to stand but Svalbard is controlling his posture from full guard.

Mariano drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Svalbard manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mariano has Svalbard in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wojtek Svalbard dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Svalbard shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mariano counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Svalbard tries to strike from the bottom.

Svalbard had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mariano defends it easily.

Svalbard had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mariano defends it easily.
Svalbard can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mariano controls the pace.
Mariano with a nice head shot there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Svalbard has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Mariano doesn't defend quickly enough and Svalbard has managed to lock this one up! Can Mariano escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Svalbard on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:04 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Wojtek Svalbard!