PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikos Stalikas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franklin Marrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stalikas
vs
Marrow

183 cm
20
202 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikos Stalikas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Franklin Marrow!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Marrow with a poor takedown

and Stalikas decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Marrow's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Marrow wants to sweep here but Stalikas controlling him for the moment.
Stalikas stops Marrow from standing up.
Stalikas postures up and lands a big shot to Marrow's brow.
Marrow utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Marrow wants to sweep here but Stalikas controlling him for the moment.
Stalikas controlling from the top position.
Stalikas trying to control but Marrow is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marrow wants to sweep but no luck.
Marrow is looking to stand up but Stalikas isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marrow looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stalikas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stalikas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Marrow tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Marrow keeping full guard, as Stalikas tries to pass.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Marrow tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marrow gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Marrow is controlling Stalikas's posture.
Marrow wants to stand and escape but Stalikas is having none of it.
Stalikas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marrow is keeping the position for now.
Marrow not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Marrow avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stalikas works over Marrow with some ground and pound from guard.
Marrow preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stalikas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Marrow works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Marrow 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.
Stalikas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stalikas showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Marrow has momentary wrist control but Stalikas slips an elbow through the middle.
Stalikas is working Marrow over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalikas showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Stalikas trying to control but Marrow is working from the bottom.
Marrow is looking to stand back up but Stalikas counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Marrow.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Marrow can do anything to dispel that myth.
Marrow wants to improve his position but Stalikas is controlling well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stalikas scoring with strikes to the body and head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marrow wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Stalikas dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stalikas dives in and scores a takedown into Marrow's guard.
Stalikas postures up.
Stalikas throwing strikes from guard but Marrow blocks nicely.
Marrow tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stalikas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stalikas controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Marrow gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stalikas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Marrow shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Stalikas counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marrow takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Stalikas cracks Marrow with a big right hand but Marrow just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marrow is looking to reverse the position.
Stalikas scores with punches from side control.
Stalikas lands some shots froms side control.
Stalikas is working Marrow over with some ground and pound from side control.
Marrow on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Stalikas landing strikes.
Marrow trying to control but Stalikas flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Marrow really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stalikas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Marrow is covering up but some of the strikes from Stalikas are getting through and doing damage.
Stalikas lands strikes to the head.
Stalikas is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Marrow up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marrow is in bad spot here.
Marrow is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Stalikas lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Marrow.
I really don't envy Marrow right now.
Stalikas gets his hands free as Marrow looks to control.
Stalikas landing with strikes.
Stalikas not allowing Marrow to control his hands.
Marrow is trying to stand back up.
Stalikas connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Marrow to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalikas landing with strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stalikas has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Marrow.
Can Marrow hold on?! Stalikas is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Stalikas has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Marrow.
Stalikas is loading up with his shots from the back and Marrow is in big trouble! Marrow taps out to strikes and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Nikos Stalikas!