PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mirko Gustvovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Marino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gustvovic
vs
Marino

189 cm
25
188 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
27
185 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

{GTI} - HGH Nutrients

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mirko Gustvovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Marino!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Radbod Blank and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustvovic moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gustvovic misses with a shot to the body
and Marino counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Mirko Gustvovic has been cut.
Marino tries to clinch but Gustvovic is having none of it.
Gustvovic throws a leg kick but Marino sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gustvovic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Marino sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gustvovic lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Marino gets a clinch.
Gustvovic has had enough of the clinch but Marino keeps him there for the moment.
Gustvovic can't get the takedown.

Marino pulls guard effortlessly.
Gustvovic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Marino swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gustvovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Marino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Marino looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gustvovic trying to control but Marino is working from the bottom.
Gustvovic postures up.
Marino keeping moving, preventing Gustvovic from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustvovic working some strikes from top position.
Gustvovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Marino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Marino working for a triangle but Gustvovic defends it easily.

Marino looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gustvovic controlling from the top position.

Marino is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gustvovic is aware though and is defending well.
Gustvovic not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marino working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gustvovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gustvovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gustvovic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Marino looks gassed!
Gustvovic scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Marino is looking for a triangle but Gustvovic pushes his legs off easily.
Gustvovic tries to free his leg and advance position but Marino is retaining full guard.
Gustvovic postures up and lands a big shot to Marino's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustvovic works over Marino with some ground and pound from guard.
Gustvovic has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gustvovic engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Gustvovic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Marino has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gustvovic has managed to get both his arms back between Marino's legs - danger averted.
Gustvovic is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gustvovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Marino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marino being controlled here, momentarily.

Marino is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gustvovic is aware though and is defending well.
Gustvovic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Marino on the ground.
Gustvovic's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Mirko Gustvovic wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Marino gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Marino keeping moving, preventing Gustvovic from controlling successfully.
Gustvovic controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gustvovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Marino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Marino escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gustvovic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gustvovic is stalling in the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

We're going to have a standup here because Mirko Gustvovic wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gustvovic.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Marino dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mirko Gustvovic's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gustvovic lands a two punch combo.
Gustvovic shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Marino eats them both and turns towards Gustvovic to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Gustvovic scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Marino fails with the takedown

and Gustvovic counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Gustvovic drops back, looking for a kneebar! Marino looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Marino looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Marino!
Marino wants to control but Gustvovic is keeping him busy.
Gustvovic can't do much from the bottom here.
Gustvovic prevents Marino from moving into mount.
Marino is breathing heavily.
Gustvovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Gustvovic manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustvovic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Marino does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
James Marino has got the better of the ground game so far.

Marino looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Marino looking for submissions off his back.
Gustvovic wants to take a breather but Marino is having none of it.
Gustvovic working Marino over with strikes.
Gustvovic performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marino wants to control but Gustvovic is keeping busy and won't allow it.
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.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ground and pound from Gustvovic.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gustvovic in particular looking to stall.
Gustvovic scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Marino has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gustvovic is working away from the top position though.

Marino looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gustvovic is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Marino is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gustvovic pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustvovic looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Marino with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gustvovic controlling the action here.
Gustvovic looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gustvovic is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

We're going to have a standup here because Mirko Gustvovic wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Marino misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Gustvovic to counter with a crisp jab.
Jab, jab by Gustvovic - just one landing.

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.
Gustvovic lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gustvovic takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gustvovic scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gustvovic connects with a body shot that sends Marino's belly button to the back.

Marino tries to keep at a distance but Gustvovic has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gustvovic fails to pull guard.
Gustvovic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Marino gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gustvovic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Marino pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mirko Gustvovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gustvovic is working for takedown but Marino is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gustvovic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Marino avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Gustvovic turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Gustvovic tries to advance to mount but Marino denies him.
Gustvovic controls the position.
Marino is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gustvovic's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gustvovic is looking to advance position but Marino won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Gustvovic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mirko Gustvovic's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gustvovic wants to clinch up but Marino keeps it at a distance.
Gustvovic scores with a body shot.
Gustvovic leaves Marino with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gustvovic catches Marino with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gustvovic feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Marinos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Gustvovic lands a two punch combo.
Marino gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gustvovic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Gustvovic scores with a takedown into Marino's guard.
Gustvovic sitting in guard here, content to control.
Gustvovic is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gustvovic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marino takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustvovic is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Marino tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Mirko Gustvovic has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Gustvovic with a hook.
Nice shot lands for Gustvovic.
A lazy left from Gustvovic finds it's target.
Mirko Gustvovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustvovic feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Marinos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Gustvovic drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
A lull in the action here as Gustvovic stalls from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marino is looking to regain half guard here but Gustvovic keeps moving and retains side control.
Gustvovic cracks Marino with a big elbow.
Marino prevents Gustvovic from improving position.
Marino taking punishment in the form of punches.
Gustvovic trying to control the action but Marino is working from the bottom.
The referee asks Gustvovic politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Gustvovic prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustvovic working away.
Gustvovic controls the position.
Marino tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Marino is letting Gustvovic control him for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Mirko Gustvovic.
Gustvovic scores with a one two! Marino had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A combination from Gustvovic does no damage.
Gustvovic works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Donk. Gustvovic catches Marino right on the button with a cross.
Marino has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gustvovic finds it's way round the side to connect with Marino's head.
Marino takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Gustvovic connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Marino takes a jab right on the kisser.
Mirko Gustvovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four 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.
Good standup being displayed there by Gustvovic as he connects with a hook.
Marino walks into a jab.
Gustvovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gustvovic misses with a wild combination.
Marino tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gustvovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gustvovic lands a jab to the head.
Gustvovic lands a glancing blow to the side of Marino's head.
Gustvovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Marino shoots and misses
and Gustvovic counters with a nice uppercut.
Mirko Gustvovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Marino.
Gustvovic feints a jab promting Marino to slip. Gustvovic then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Marino slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Gustvovic lands the left hand.
Marino has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Marino fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gustvovic manages to avoid it.
Gustvovic moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gustvovic getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Marino swats away the attempt to clinch by Gustvovic.
Gustvovic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirko Gustvovic showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gustvovic 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirko Gustvovic!