PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mattias Markstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dwayne Fair (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Markstrom
vs
Fair

180 cm
31
170 lbs
11 - 12 - 0

177 cm
26
185 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mattias Markstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dwayne Fair!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Markstrom.

Fair dives in and scores a takedown into Markstrom's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Fair tries to stand but Markstrom is controlling from the bottom.
Fair controlling from the top position.

Markstrom has his foot on Fair's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fair works his way back into a safe position though.
Fair controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Markstrom is on top in guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Markstrom loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markstrom tries to stand but Fair is controlling from the bottom.
Markstrom postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Markstrom with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fair seems keen to control Markstrom's posture.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fair can do anything to dispel that myth.
Markstrom working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Markstrom throws a big elbow that misses.
Markstrom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fair swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Markstrom won't allow Fair to sweep him here.
Markstrom has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fair is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Markstrom is controlling him.

Markstrom thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Markstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Fair is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fair is working an open guard so Markstrom takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Fair!

Fair shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Markstrom working for a triangle but Fair defends it easily.

Markstrom looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fair tries to free his leg and advance position but Markstrom is retaining full guard.

Markstrom has his foot on Fair's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fair works his way back into a safe position though.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Markstrom is on top in guard.
Fair looking to hit a scissor sweep but Markstrom is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fair looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Markstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Fair is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markstrom throwing strikes but missing.

Markstrom stands up and waves to Fair to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markstrom thuds his right hand into Fair's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A punch combination from Markstrom misses.
Fair shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Markstrom defends it nicely.
Markstrom tries to close the distance and clinch but Fair swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fair tries to close the distance and clinch but Markstrom swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mattias Markstrom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markstrom misses with a series of wild punches.
Markstrom tries to clinch but Fair is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A combination from Fair does no damage.

Markstrom has taken the fight to the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mattias Markstrom dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fair has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fair stops a takedown attempt from Markstrom.
Markstrom fails to pull guard.

Markstrom breaks from the clinch.
Markstrom tries to clinch up but Fair circles away and keeps his distance.
Fair takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Markstrom wants to clinch.
Markstrom lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Fair throws a head kick that half lands.
Markstrom throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fair slips a jab and a cross from Markstrom.

Markstrom moves into the clinch.

Markstrom pulls guard.
Fair must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Markstrom working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fair doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fair manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mattias Markstrom overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fair tries to stand but Markstrom is controlling from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fair sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Markstrom's guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Fair in particular looking to stall.
Markstrom trying to control here.
Nice strikes from Fair there.
Markstrom tries to roll over but Fair keeps him under control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Fair in particular looking to stall.
Markstrom trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fair decides to stand up.
Fair throws a wild body kick that Markstrom sees coming a mile off.

Fair moves into range and clinches up with Markstrom.
Markstrom goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fair prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mattias Markstrom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Markstrom misses with an elbow strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markstrom tries for a takedown. No joy.

Fair breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Markstrom tries to clinch but Fair moves out of range.
Markstrom fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fair misses with a double jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Markstrom.
Fair shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Markstrom as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fair gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Fair's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fair avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fair has a takedown stuffed.

Fair closes the distance and clinches.
Fair has Markstrom pressed against the cage, preventing Markstrom from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Fair pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Markstrom is looking to clinch.
Markstrom checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Markstrom tries to clinch there but Fair circles away.
Fair throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Markstrom.

Markstrom gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fair to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fair trying to stand up but can't free himself from Markstrom's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Markstrom is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Markstrom has his foot on Fair's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fair works his way back into a safe position though.
Fair really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Markstrom. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fair has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Markstrom is proving hard to escape from.
Markstrom keeping moving, preventing Fair from controlling successfully.

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

Markstrom had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fair defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Markstrom keeping full guard, as Fair tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mattias Markstrom will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fair showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Markstrom.
Markstrom fails to land with a series of punches.
Markstrom fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fair misses with a combination
and Markstrom counters with a series of strikes. Fair will be more careful next time no doubt.

Fair changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Markstrom looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Fair is staying tight to Markstrom's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Fair wants to control but Markstrom is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fair stands up and beckons Markstrom to his feet.
Fair takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Markstrom misses with a wild combination.
Markstrom throws a head kick but Fair moves out of range.

Fair drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Markstrom is looking to regain half guard here but Fair keeps moving and retains side control.

Fair decides to stand up, so the ref orders Markstrom to his feet.
Fair misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Markstrom finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Markstrom swinging wildly here.
A head kick misses from Markstrom.
Markstrom throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sloppy strikes from Fair. Those never looked like landing.
Markstrom wants to clinch up but Fair keeps it at a distance.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Markstrom tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fair paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Markstrom connects with a high kick.
Fair sizes up Markstrom with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Markstrom throws a nice head kick!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Markstrom wants to clinch

and Fair decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Markstrom's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markstrom keeping moving, preventing Fair from controlling successfully.

Fair stands up from Markstrom's guard - Fair perhaps looking for a knockout.
Markstrom tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Markstrom swinging wildly here.
Fair digs a good hook to Markstrom's body.
Markstrom moves in looking to clinch but Fair pushes him off.
Fair fails to land with a series of punches.
Markstrom fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fair checks it well.

Fair closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Markstrom did well to prevent Fair getting side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fair works his way into full mount!
Fair looking to control and managing it successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fair trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Fair controlling the pace for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Markstrom wants to control but Fair is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Fair really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Markstrom tries a head kick but it misses.
Markstrom tries to clinch up but Fair circles away and keeps his distance.
Mattias Markstrom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fair fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Markstrom fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Markstrom scores with a push kick.
Markstrom scores with a head kick. Fair tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Mattias Markstrom is winning the standup battle so far.
Fair circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fair stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fair wants it to stay on the feet.
Some wild striking there from Markstrom.
Fair lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Markstrom falls off balance throwing a combination

and Fair counters with a nice double leg into side control. Markstrom won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fair stands up.

Markstrom gets a clinch.

Fair breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Markstrom tries to clinch
and Fair counters with a good low kick that Markstrom was not able to check.

Fair shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Markstrom is trying to defend but Fair finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Fair in particular looking to stall.
Fair is keen to just control but Markstrom is a slippery customer.

Fair decides to stand up.
Fair misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fair closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Markstrom is looking to control Fair's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Markstrom avoid being mounted?

Markstrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Fair slows the pace down in half guard.
Fair is pressing down on Markstrom's thigh, looking to free his foot. Markstrom is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fair looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Markstrom with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Markstrom is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fair pulls his head out easily.
Fair wants to stand up but Markstrom has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Fair stalling.
Fair trying to mount his opponent but Markstrom defends it.
Markstrom trying to hold on to Fair's head to control him but Fair postures up.
Fair is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fair tries to stand but can't do so whilst Markstrom controls his leg.

Dwayne Fair has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Markstrom rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fair moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fair shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Markstrom sprawls well. Markstrom wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fair gets slowly back to his feet.
Markstrom tries to clinch but Fair moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fair pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Fair tries to keep at a distance but Markstrom has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Fair dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Markstrom comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Fair circles away from the clinch attempt
and Fair cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Markstrom stuffs the takedown.
Fair fails with a takedown attempt.
Markstrom is looking to clinch but Fair is avoiding it.
Fair swats away the attempt to clinch by Markstrom.
Markstrom tries to clinch up but Fair circles away and keeps his distance.
Markstrom misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markstrom tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fair sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Markstrom somewhat.

Markstrom has Fair up against the cage in a clinch.
Fair gets underhooks to prevent Markstrom's takedown attempt.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Markstrom.

Fair manages to break the clinch.
Markstrom wants to clinch up but Fair keeps it at a distance.
Markstrom wants to clinch.
Markstrom lands a high kick!
Markstrom rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fair moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markstrom throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Fair throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fair scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Markstrom closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Markstrom tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fair swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Markstrom lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Markstrom throws a push kick but Fair slaps the foot to one side.
A nice inside leg kick there by Fair. That's going to slow Markstrom down.
Fair misses with the combination.
Markstrom throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markstrom tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Markstrom goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markstrom throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Markstrom is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fair is looking to chop away at Markstrom's legs.
Fair throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Markstrom checks a low kick from Fair.
Markstrom tries to clinch up.
Markstrom wants to clinch up but Fair keeps it at a distance.
Markstrom tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fair fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Markstrom.
Fair misses with a wild combination.
A low kick from Fair misses
and Markstrom counters with a series of strikes. Fair will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Markstrom.
Fair scores with a three punch combo!
Markstrom tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Fair counters with a series of strikes. Markstrom will be more careful next time no doubt.
Markstrom closes the distance looking to clinch

and Fair counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fair.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fair is looking to stand up but Markstrom won't let him.
Markstrom is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fair slips nicely into half guard.
Fair tries to pass the half guard into mount. Markstrom knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dwayne Fair.
I think Fair 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Josh West scores the fight for Dwayne Fair!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for Dwayne Fair!
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight for Dwayne Fair!

Dwayne Fair wins by unanimous decision!