PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Santino Marella (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Curt Leocadio (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.

Marella
vs
Leocadio

182 cm
26
194 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

180 cm
25
194 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Santino Marella!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curt Leocadio!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marella avoids the head kick by Leocadio.
Leocadio connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Marella dodges the punch combination from Leocadio.

Marella looking to score a takedown here. Leocadio is defending well but Marella drives through and ends up in Leocadio's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Marella trying to control but Leocadio is working from the bottom.
Leocadio wants to stand and escape but Marella is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Marella accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Marella trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Leocadio is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Marella wants to pass the guard but Leocadio is keeping the position.
Leocadio really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Marella. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Marella thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marella is in close to Leocadio's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Marella tries to free his leg and advance position but Leocadio is retaining full guard.
Marella throwing strikes from guard but Leocadio blocks nicely.
Marella trying to control but Leocadio is working from the bottom.
Marella controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Marella takes the fight into the clinch.

Marella escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Leocadio looks to land a right hand but Marella moved out of range.
Curt Leocadio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circling - Leocadio throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Leocadio looks to land a left hand but Marella moved out of range nicely.

Marella throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Leocadio tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Marella is in Leocadio's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marella trying to control the position from guard on top but Leocadio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marella working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Leocadio wants to get back to his feet but Marella passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marella is controlling the pace.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Marella has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Marella trying to control the action but Leocadio is working from the bottom.
Leocadio pushes Marella off looking to stand but Marella dives back in and keeps control.
Marella lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Leocadio wants to stand back up but Marella manages to pass into side control.
Marella taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marella trying to control the position but Leocadio is working away.
Marella misses with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Marella decides to stand back up.
Leocadio jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Leocadio throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marella goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Curt Leocadio has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leocadio stuffs the takedown.
Marella ducks under a wild hook from Leocadio.
Leocadio cracks Marella with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santino Marella dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Curt Leocadio's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Marella fails with an attempt to clinch.
Marella with a nice cross.
Leocadio with a nice cross.
Leocadio throws a jab when Marella was well out of range.
A jab from Leocadio finds it's way through Marella's defenses.
Leocadio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Leocadio misses with a looping right.
Leocadio keeps the fight on the outside.
Marella shoots for a double leg takedown but Leocadio sprawls well. He's pushed Marella's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Leocadio might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Leocadio smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Marella dives in and grabs Leocadio's left leg, looking for a takedown. Leocadio pushes down on Marella's head and hops out.
Leocadio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Marella tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leocadio sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marella somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santino Marella. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marella shoots in for a takedown but Leocadio shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marella.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leocadio connects with a jab.
Marella shoots in looking for a takedown. Leocadio tries to sprawl out of it but Marella keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leocadio manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Leocadio throws a hook but Marella blocks it.
Leocadio uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Marella fails with an attempt to clinch.
Leocadio leaves Marella with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Marella walks into a jab.
Leocadio lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
No joy there for Marella, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Marella fails in his attempt to clinch.

Marella has closed the distance and engaged Leocadio in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marella's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Leocadio closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Marella shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leocadio as he avoids it easily.
Leocadio showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Marella.
Leocadio connects with a crisp jab.
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!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Leocadio.
Marella changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Leocadio tries to avoid it but Marella manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Leocadio to the ground. Leocadio escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Leocadio's jab looks to have found its range, popping Marella under the eye.
Leocadio misses with the combination.
Leocadio keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Marella dives in and grabs Leocadio's left leg, looking for a takedown. Leocadio pushes down on Marella's head and hops out.
Leocadio throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Curt Leocadio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leocadio misses with the combination.
Leocadio throws a one two combo.
Nice shot by Leocadio.
Leocadio closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Marella has a takedown stuffed.
Leocadio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leocadio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leocadio throws a poor cross that misses
and Marella counters with a good low kick that Leocadio was not able to check.
Leocadio falls off balance throwing a combination

and Marella counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Marella.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marella forces his way into half guard.
Marella moves nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marella tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Marella has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Marella wants to control but Leocadio is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leocadio wants to get back to his feet but Marella drags him back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Curt Leocadio will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Curt Leocadio's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Leocadio blocks a head kick by Marella.
Leocadio misses with a hook. Marella ducked under it nicely.
Leocadio takes a swing at Marella's ribcage but misses.
Santino Marella is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marella uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leocadio.
Leocadio throws a big shot that misses.
Nice takedown defense from Leocadio. No joy for Marella on that attempt.
Good shot there by Marella.

Marella closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Leocadio is pushing Marella's head away, looking to escape. Marella manages to hold on to the position though.

Marella tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Marella decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leocadio closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Leocadio lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Marella fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Marella is looking to clinch.
Marella wants to clinch up but Leocadio keeps it at a distance.
Marella doesn't manage to clinch there - Leocadio circles away.
Marella tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leocadio sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marella somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santino Marella. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leocadio lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Leocadio.
Marella blocks a head kick by Leocadio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leocadio leaves Marella with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Leocadio ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Marella walks into a straight right hand from Leocadio.
Leocadio closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Marella closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Leocadio's guard.
Leocadio is looking to stand back up but Marella counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Leocadio.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Marella is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Leocadio can do anything to dispel that myth.
Marella content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leocadio tries to kick Marella off but Marella keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Marella controlling the action here.
Leocadio is looking to escape.
Marella trying to control the pace.
Marella trying to control the action but Leocadio is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marella content to control rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Santino Marella just wasn't active enough.
Leocadio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Marella shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Leocadio pinned against the cage. Leocadio gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Marella dodges the punch combination from Leocadio.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leocadio moves out of range as Marella strikes.
Marella staying out of range there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santino Marella showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Marella 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

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