PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Gardens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Doug McSwain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gardens comes into the arena with Not Tonight - Slaughterhouse blaring out of the sound system. McSwain has chosen Jack Thammarat - My Headache Song as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Doug McSwain has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Marcus Gardens's chin.

Gardens
vs
McSwain

176 cm
24
192 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

185 cm
25
195 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Good chin

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcus Gardens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Doug McSwain!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McSwain.
A big left from Gardens misses.

Gardens darts in and clinches McSwain up against the cage.
McSwain softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

McSwain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from McSwain misses.
Gardens misses the body punch
and McSwain counters with a stiff right hand.
Gardens throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling McSwain to counter with a crisp jab.
Gardens finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Gardens moves into the clinch successfully.
McSwain lands a body punch in the clinch.
McSwain misses with a punch on the inside.
McSwain stalls.
McSwain tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gardens stalling the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McSwain stalling against the cage.
A short right from McSwain on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McSwain scores with a nice hook to the head.
McSwain is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
McSwain lands an elbow inside.
McSwain lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gardens.
McSwain lands with a short shot to the head.
McSwain misses with a hook from the clinch.
McSwain has Gardens pushed against the cage.
McSwain throws a punch but it's blocked by Gardens.
McSwain throws a knee to the head but misses.
McSwain misses with an elbow over the top.
McSwain connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gardens's face.
McSwain has a couple of punches blocked by Gardens.
Gardens leaning against his opponent.
McSwain misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gardens leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McSwain gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gardens.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McSwain.
McSwain misses with a hook from the clinch.
McSwain misses with an elbow over the top.
McSwain lands with a short shot to the head.
McSwain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gardens trying to stall but McSwain improves his position.
A shot in the inside from McSwain.
Gardens leaning against his opponent.
McSwain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McSwain scores with a shot to the side of Gardens's head.
Gardens takes an elbow to the temple.
McSwain misses with some punches.
McSwain effectively controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardens stops a takedown attempt from McSwain.
McSwain throws an elbow that misses.
McSwain misses with a hook from the clinch.
McSwain is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gardens is defending well for now.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A bit of stalling here from Gardens.
McSwain misses with a hook from the clinch.
McSwain lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
McSwain throws a head punch that misses.
Gardens leaning against his opponent.
Gardens stalling in the clinch but McSwain improves position.
McSwain taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gardens is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but McSwain is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
McSwain connects with a knee to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Gardens - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
McSwain displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gardens up against the cage.
McSwain misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gardens avoids a wild elbow strike from McSwain.
McSwain throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gardenss head.
McSwain looks to throw an elbow but misses.
McSwain scores a nice knee to the body.
McSwain makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McSwain with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gardens being controlled against the cage.
Gardens blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug McSwain dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gardens throws a predictable looking body shot
and Gardens takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McSwain thuds a left hand into Gardens's body.

McSwain drops Gardens with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Gardens looks back up at him and smiles so McSwain waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

It looks like Marcus Gardens has been cut.

Gardens gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McSwain tries to get to full guard but Gardens has control of the leg.
McSwain is not content to let Gardens control the position.
McSwain trying to control but Gardens postures up.
Gardens is pressing down on McSwain's thigh, looking to free his foot. McSwain is holding on for now.
McSwain trying to control but Gardens postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gardens looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks McSwain with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
McSwain is pressing down on Gardens's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gardens trying to control but McSwain is working from the bottom.
Gardens is really struggling to control McSwain but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Gardens throws and elbow that misses. McSwain uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gardens's guard. Nice move by McSwain!
McSwain lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McSwain in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McSwain must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gardens avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McSwain postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McSwain accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McSwain stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gardens swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McSwain lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gardens utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McSwain makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McSwain throws a big right hand that misses.
Gardens looking for a sweep. Not yet Gardens, not yet.
McSwain passes into half guard.
Gardens gets full guard.
McSwain postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Gardens looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gardens avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gardens keeping moving, preventing McSwain from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gardens is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McSwain cracks Gardens with a solid left hand.
McSwain trying to control but Gardens is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McSwain accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McSwain postures up in Gardens's guard and throws a big left but Gardens blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McSwain loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McSwain throws a strike but Gardens rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug McSwain showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marcus Gardens's cut.
That's time! Gardens's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Gardens throws a sloppy body shot

and McSwain counters with a takedown into side control.
Gardens is looking to regain half guard here but McSwain keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gardens is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked McSwain off and has taken his back!

McSwain defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Gardens's arms.

Gardens is looking for the choke from the back position but McSwain is controlling his hands well.
McSwain trying to control but not successfully.
Gardens struggling to land strikes to the head as McSwain covers up.

McSwain defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Gardens's arms.
McSwain is really stuck here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardens punches the canvas rather than the man.
Will Gardens go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Gardens looking to break McSwain's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. McSwain remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Gardens will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Doug McSwain has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gardens misses with an elbow to the head.
McSwain turns into Gardens and is now in his guard.
McSwain throwing strikes from guard but Gardens blocks nicely.
McSwain thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McSwain throws a strike but Gardens rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Gardens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McSwain keeping moving, preventing Gardens from controlling successfully.
McSwain is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
McSwain is looking to stall here but Gardens recovers full guard.
McSwain thows a big elbow that misses.
Marcus Gardens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardens preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McSwain chips away with some ground and pound.
McSwain is looking to work some ground and pound but Gardens has wrist control.

McSwain got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gardens has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McSwain has managed to get both his arms back between Gardens's legs - danger averted.
Gardens avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McSwain in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McSwain postures up in Gardens's guard and throws a big left but Gardens blocks it.
McSwain trying to control but Gardens is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McSwain might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gardens kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
McSwain controlling from the top position.

Gardens working for a triangle but McSwain defends it easily.
Gardens looking for a sweep. Not yet Gardens, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Doug McSwain.
Well McSwain has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Doug McSwain!