PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Cantwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Santino Marella (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steve Cantwell could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Santino Marella's chin.

Cantwell
vs
Marella

187 cm
25
197 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

182 cm
25
194 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Cantwell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Santino Marella!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cantwell lands a big head kick that sends Marella tumbling to the mat! Cantwell takes a step backwards and waves Marella back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Santino Marella has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marella stuffs the takedown attempt from Cantwell. Cantwell gets slowly back to his feet.
Marella fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cantwell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Marella counters with a nice body kick.
Marella throws a half hearted mid kick.
No luck for Cantwell with that takedown attempt.
Cantwell stuns Marella with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Steve Cantwell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cantwell tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Marella swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Cantwell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marella is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cantwell sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Marella closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cantwell's guard.

Cantwell working for a triangle but Marella defends it easily.
Marella controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cantwell has his foot on Marella's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Marella works his way back into a safe position though.
Marella trying to control the position from guard on top but Cantwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marella looking to pass the guard.
Marella wanted to stand there but Cantwell had control of the position.

Marella got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cantwell has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Marella has managed to get both his arms back between Cantwell's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marella stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Marella decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Cantwell is trying to control but Marella manages to pass to mount!

Marella is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Cantwell can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Cantwell wants to control but Marella is having none of it.
Cantwell throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marella punishing his opponent with strikes.
Marella wants to take Cantwell's back here but Cantwell is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Cantwell is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Marella controlling the position easily from mount.
Marella's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Cantwell trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marella with shots to the head and body - Cantwell looks very uncomfortable down there.
Cantwell is trying to escape the mount.
Marella can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cantwell is looking to escape.

Marella jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Cantwell is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Cantwell and Marella has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Marella takes a little break here. Cantwell wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Steve Cantwell will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Santino Marella's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Marella displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cantwell.

Cantwell shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Marella napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Marella tries to bench press Cantwell off him but Cantwell keeps the position.
Santino Marella has got the better of the ground game so far.
Marella controls the position for a moment.
You can see the frustration on Marella's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Marella sneaks back into half guard.

Marella pushes Cantwell off and gets back to his feet.
Steve Cantwell is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marella takes one to the side of the head.
Marella throws a lazy head kick

and Cantwell counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cantwell.
Cantwell trying to control but Marella is working from the bottom.
Cantwell throws an elbow that misses. Marella uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cantwell's guard. Nice move by Marella!
Cantwell wants to stand up but Marella is controlling him.

Marella stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Marella looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Marella clinches up with Cantwell and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantwell is trying to pull guard but Marella has him pressed against the cage.
Marella jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cantwell walks away with a smile on his face. Marella gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Cantwell shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Marella as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Cantwell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marella wants to clinch up but Cantwell keeps it at a distance.

Marella closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cantwell did well to prevent Marella getting side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Marella is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cantwell is just riding it out for now. Marella eventually gives up the hold.
Marella trying to control from half guard but Cantwell is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantwell is looking to improve his position.
Cantwell is doing well to control the position and prevent Marella from advancing to side control.
Marella missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Marella works his foot free and advances to mount.
Cantwell sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marella with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Marella is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Marella looking to control and managing it successfully.
Cantwell tries to lock up and control but Marella gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cantwell is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Santino Marella will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Santino Marella's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Cantwell.
Marella defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cantwell.

Marella clinches.

Marella breaks the clinch.
Cantwell keeps the fight on the outside.
Cantwell fails with a takedown attempt.
Cantwell has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Cantwell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Marella shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Marella punishing his opponent with strikes.
Marella looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marella scoring with strikes but Cantwell is staying in there.

Marella is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Cantwell to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Cantwell shrugs it off.
Cantwell is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Marella jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Cantwell manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Marella throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Cantwell works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Marella in particular looking to stall.
Marella sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cantwell defending well though.
Marella stops Cantwell from getting back to his feet.
Marella working over Cantwell with some ground and pound. Cantwell looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Marella trying to control from half guard but Cantwell is working away.
Cantwell tries to get to full guard but Marella has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantwell trying to control here.
Marella works his foot free and advances to mount.
Marella trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Cantwell is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cantwell is working to get back to half guard.
Cantwell wants to hold on but Marella pushes him away.

Marella working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Marella looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Cantwell is squirming around, avoiding Marella's attempts to control the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cantwell wants to hold on but Marella pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santino Marella comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Marella 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Santino Marella!