PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kris Marsh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dresden Carmichael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carmichael has chosen Nelly - Just A Dream as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Marsh
vs
Carmichael

163 cm
29
154 lbs
20 - 4 - 0

170 cm
28
153 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Brute

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
Empire Threads - The Best $15 You've Ever Spent!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kris Marsh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dresden Carmichael!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carmichael tries to work over Marsh's front leg with a kick but Marsh checks it.
Marsh lands a glancing blow to the side of Carmichael's head.
Carmichael throws a looping overhand right but Marsh ducks down to avoid it.
Marsh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Carmichael manages to avoid it.
Carmichael misses the shot to the body.
Marsh tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Carmichael was well out of range. Poor timing from Marsh.
Marsh looks to land a left hand but Carmichael moved out of range nicely.
Carmichael will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kris Marsh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carmichael moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Carmichael takes a swing at Marsh's ribcage but misses.

Marsh shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Carmichael is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Marsh loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carmichael wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsh throwing strikes but missing.
Marsh won't allow Carmichael to sweep him here.
Carmichael is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Marsh looking to pass the guard.
Marsh 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.
Marsh is working hard here to advance position.
Carmichael wants to sweep but no luck.
Marsh trying to control but Carmichael is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Carmichael throws a sloppy head kick
and Marsh counters with a nice uppercut.
A decent looking cross lands there for Marsh.
Carmichael takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Marsh tries to keep at a distance but Carmichael has taken the fight into the clinch.
Marsh misses with a punch to the body.
Marsh can't find room to land a body shot as Carmichael controls the action.
Carmichael misses with a knee to the head.
Carmichael prevents Marsh from breaking the clinch.
A short right from Carmichael.
Marsh cracks Carmichael with a nice body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marsh throws a head punch that misses.
Carmichael using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Marsh has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Marsh misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Carmichael unloads a knee to the mid-section. Marsh lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Carmichael.
Carmichael tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Marsh's elbow.
Marsh misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Marsh on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Marsh.
Carmichael using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Marsh has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A shot in the inside from Marsh.
Marsh is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Carmichael is defending well.
Marsh can't find room to land a body shot as Carmichael controls the action.
Marsh is looking to take this one to the mat.
Carmichael blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Carmichael tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Carmichael.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Carmichael.
Carmichael blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Carmichael.
Marsh is working Carmichael over against the cage.

Marsh breaks the clinch.
Marsh ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Carmichael moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsh throws out a loose jab but Carmichael uses good head movement to avoid it.
Carmichael lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Marsh tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Carmichael was well out of range. Poor timing from Marsh.
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!
Carmichael looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Marsh throws a low kick but Carmichael avoids it.
Marsh uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Carmichael has time to react.
Marsh scores with a hook to the body. Carmichael takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Marsh checks a leg kick.
Marsh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Carmichael uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marsh.
Carmichael defending well as Marsh loads up on a big left hand.
Marsh looks to score with a jab to the body but Carmichael is just out of range.
Marsh chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Carmichael as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kris Marsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marsh fails with a takedown attempt.
Marsh misses with a leg kick.
Marsh closes the distance and clinches up with Carmichael, looking for a takedown. Marsh pushes Carmichael against the cage but Carmichael circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Carmichael avoids the body shot from Marsh.
Horrible takedown by Marsh or perhaps it was just good defense by Carmichael which made him look bad.
Marsh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A cross from Marsh lands.
Marsh fails with a takedown attempt.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Marsh looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Carmichael is fending him off so far but Marsh persists. Nope, Carmichael circles away and we're back to standing.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Carmichael instigates a clinch.
Carmichael trying to land knees to the body.
Carmichael gets through Marsh's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Carmichael lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Marsh.
Carmichael unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Carmichael lands a nice uppercut.
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!
Carmichael tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Carmichael.
Still in the clinch, Carmichael scores with a nice short uppercut.
Carmichael blocks a body shot from Marsh.
Carmichael lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Marsh swings wildly with an uppercut but Carmichael uses good head movement to avoid it.
Marsh misses with a punch to the body.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael tries to throw a body punch but Marsh avoids it by throwing Carmichael back against the cage.
Carmichael misses with a body punch.
Carmichael struggles to land a body shot inside as Marsh controls his hands.

Carmichael escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Marsh looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dresden Carmichael is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Carmichael chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Marsh can pounce on him.
Carmichael throws a jab but it's blocked by Marsh.
Marsh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Carmichael.
Carmichael chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Marsh can pounce on him.
Carmichael works the jab nicely.
Marsh moves out of range of the body kick from Carmichael.
Carmichael throws a low kick, looking for Marsh's leg but Marsh calmly moves out of range.
Carmichael just misses with a punch to the body.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Marsh thows a body shot but no joy.
Marsh checks a leg kick.
Marsh shoots in looking for a takedown. Carmichael tries to sprawl out of it but Marsh keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Carmichael manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Marsh lands a slapping body shot.
Marsh gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Marsh misses with a looping left.
Marsh misses with a jab, cross combination.
Carmichael tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Marsh manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carmichael cracks Marsh with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Marsh throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Marsh.
Marsh thows a body shot but no joy.
Marsh is trying hard to land a takedown here. Carmichael sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Marsh misses with a wild body shot.
Carmichael fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Marsh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Carmichael has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Carmichael shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Some wild striking there from Carmichael.
Carmichael lands a really nice looking cross but Marsh seems unphased.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carmichael throws a lazy right hand but Marsh sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Marsh scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dresden Carmichael will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Marsh keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Carmichael.
Marsh swats away the attempt to clinch by Carmichael.
Marsh fails with a takedown attempt.
Marsh misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Carmichael.
Marsh misses with a body shot.
Marsh fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Carmichael avoids it really well and circles away.
Carmichael moves away from the strike by Marsh.
Marsh throws a lazy right hand but Carmichael sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Carmichael.
Marsh sizes up Carmichael with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Carmichael doesn't manage to clinch there - Marsh circles away.
Marsh scores with a decent looking hook.
Kris Marsh is winning the standup battle so far.
Carmichael fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marsh manages to avoid it.
Marsh tests Carmichael's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Marsh throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Carmichael throws a jab when Marsh was well out of range.
Carmichael slips under a jab from Marsh.
Carmichael throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Carmichael keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsh turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Carmichael tries to clinch there but Marsh circles away.
Carmichael blocks a jab.
Carmichael wants to land a leg kick but Marsh is out of range.
Marsh fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Carmichael avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kris Marsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marsh shoots in but no luck this time.
Marsh slips a straight right by Carmichael.
Marsh ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marsh will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Marsh throws a jab when Carmichael was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael misses with a looping right.
Carmichael misses with a straight left.
Nice straight punches there by Marsh. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Marsh.
Some bone on bone action there as Carmichael checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A chopping leg kick lands by Carmichael.
Carmichael tries to clinch there but Marsh circles away.
Carmichael defending well as Marsh loads up on a big left hand.
Good exchange - Carmichael coming out on top.
Carmichael dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Marsh. That did some damage!
Marsh throws a combination that misses
and Carmichael counters with a nice uppercut.
Carmichael's jab looks to have found its range, popping Marsh under the eye.
Good leg kick by Marsh there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Carmichael wants it to stay on the feet.
Carmichael buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Carmichael takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Marsh shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
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!
Carmichael is looking for a sweep. Marsh is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Carmichael has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Marsh is working away from the top position though.
Marsh is looking to advance position but Carmichael won't allow it.
Marsh is controlling the pace.
Carmichael is not content to let Marsh control the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael trying to control here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Carmichael pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Carmichael avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head kick misses from Carmichael.
Carmichael fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A big right from Carmichael misses.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Marsh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Marsh looks for a takedown but Carmichael sprawls well.
Marsh avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Marsh on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Marsh has a takedown stuffed.
Carmichael leaves Marsh with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Carmichael with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Carmichael uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Marsh.
Marsh missing with a left hand there. Carmichael was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Marsh is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Carmichael is looking to land body kicks.
Marsh avoids a kick to the body.

Carmichael moves into the clinch.
Marsh can't find room to land a body shot as Carmichael controls the action.
Carmichael struggles to land a body shot inside as Marsh controls his hands.
Good body shot from Carmichael.
Carmichael scores with a shot to the side of Marsh's head.
Carmichael throws a punch but it's blocked by Marsh.
Carmichael scores with a nice hook to the head.
Marsh swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Carmichael is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Marsh is keeping busy.
A nice left hand lands by Carmichael.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Marsh is looking for a takedown.
Carmichael working aggressively here.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Carmichael is pressed up against the cage. Marsh has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Carmichael down to the mat. Carmichael avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Carmichael swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Carmichael slips a straight right by Marsh.
Marsh fails to land the takedown.
Carmichael misses with a few strikes there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Carmichael keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marsh.
Marsh tried to score with a low kick but Carmichael checks it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marsh.
Marsh is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Carmichael getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Marsh scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Marsh working away.
Marsh in side control, throwing shots but Carmichael defends.
Carmichael tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Carmichael is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Marsh off and has taken his back!
Marsh breaks Carmichael's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Carmichael wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Carmichael is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marsh showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dresden Carmichael will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Marsh shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Carmichael but Carmichael pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Marsh takes a jab right on the kisser.
Marsh on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Marsh connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Marsh moves out of range as Carmichael strikes.
Carmichael swings for the body but Marsh moves out of range.
Marsh blocks a low kick nicely.
Carmichael stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Carmichael wants it to stay on the feet.
Carmichael looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carmichael tries to clinch but Marsh moves out of range.
Marsh getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Marsh will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Carmichael throws a hook to the side of Marsh's head but Marsh sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Marsh is trying hard to land a takedown here. Carmichael sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kris Marsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marsh fails to land the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Marsh throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Carmichael turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Marsh looks for a takedown but Carmichael sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Carmichael has closed the distance and engaged Marsh in a clinch.
Marsh scores with a nice hook to the head.
Carmichael looking to stall.
Carmichael blocks a body shot from Marsh.

Marsh gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Carmichael is positioning himself well to prevent Marsh advancing to mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Carmichael has one foot on Marsh's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Carmichael is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Marsh.

Marsh throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Carmichael was covering up waiting for the punch and Marsh finishes the takedown easily into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Carmichael is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsh not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Carmichael postures up in Marsh's guard and throws a big left but Marsh blocks it.
Carmichael postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Marsh trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Marsh is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Carmichael is aware though and is defending well.
Carmichael in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marsh keeping moving, preventing Carmichael from controlling successfully.
Kris Marsh overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Carmichael distracts Marsh with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marsh working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Carmichael has passed into half guard!
Marsh taking some punishment here, with Carmichael in his half guard.
Marsh has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Carmichael is working away from the top position though.
Carmichael slows the pace down in half guard.
Carmichael thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Marsh's head.
Marsh regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Marsh is on top in guard.
Carmichael is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Marsh wants to pass the guard but Carmichael is keeping the position.
Marsh landing some decent shots from guard.
Carmichael looking to hit a scissor sweep but Marsh is one step ahead there.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Marsh throws a big elbow that misses.
Carmichael is trying to keep Marsh in close.
Marsh throwing strikes from guard but Carmichael blocks nicely.
Carmichael looking to hit a scissor sweep but Marsh is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Marsh accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Marsh drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Carmichael dives on top into guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael trying to control but Marsh is working from the bottom.
Carmichael working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Marsh not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Carmichael is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Marsh trying to strike off his back.

Marsh throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Carmichael trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Carmichael wants to control from the top but Marsh keeps moving.
Marsh preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Marsh is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Carmichael trying to control but Marsh is working from the bottom.
Marsh preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Carmichael postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Marsh working for a triangle but Carmichael defends it easily.
Marsh is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Marsh manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Marsh lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Marsh has control of Carmichael's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Carmichael regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Carmichael taking shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kris Marsh.
I think Carmichael 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Dresden Carmichael!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Dresden Carmichael!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight as a draw!

Dresden Carmichael wins by majority decision!
After winning the bout, Dresden Carmichael thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.