PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Gaines (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marshall Creola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Marshall Creola enters the cage!

Gaines
vs
Creola

179 cm
25
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marcus Gaines!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marshall Creola!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A shot to the liver by Gaines. Beautiful body shot.
Gaines takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Gaines closes the distance and clinches.
Gaines managing to block the knees to the body from Creola.
Creola missing with knees to the body.
Gaines wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Creola keeps control of Gaines as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Creola on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gaines is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Creola lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Creola taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Gaines stalling in the clinch.
Creola is trying to break the clinch but Gaines is controlling him.
Creola stalls.
Creola struggles to land a body shot inside as Gaines controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Creola throws an elbow that misses.
Creola is struggling to control the position.
Creola looks winded!
Stalling in the clinch from Gaines.
Gaines wants to take the fight to the mat but Creola manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Gaines has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Creola uses from the top position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gaines thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Gaines has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Creola can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gaines is on top in guard.
Gaines looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gaines advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Creola really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gaines. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gaines thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Gaines decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
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!

Gaines has managed to clinch.
Creola looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaines is trying to drag Creola to the mat but Creola just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Gaines tries to pull guard but Creola holds him up against the cage and eventually Gaines drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Gaines. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Creola tries to land a knee to the head but Gaines blocks with his arms.
Gaines taking a breather.
Gaines is looking to break free of the clinch but Creola has double underhooks.
Gaines wants to break free but Creola has control.
A knee to the head by Creola.
Gaines is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
We've been informed that Creola has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Creola misses with a punch to the body.
Gaines takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Creola trying to stall but Gaines improves his position.
Gaines wants a takedown but no success here.
Creola throws an elbow that misses.
Gaines avoiding damage as Creola throws knees to the body.
Gaines wants to get back to striking at distance but Creola won't allow it.
Gaines is trying to push Creola away but Creola has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gaines avoiding damage as Creola throws knees to the body.
Creola prevents a takedown attempt there.
Creola is trying to maintain a safe position but Gaines gets an underhook and turns Creola into the cage.
Creola misses with a short punch on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gaines tries to break the clinch but Creola is controlling the position.
Gaines jumps guard but Creola stands there with Gaines around his waist. Gaines gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gaines avoiding damage as Creola throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Gaines 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.

Gaines fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Gaines has Creola up against the cage in a clinch.
Gaines wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Creola has him pressed against the cage.
Creola swings wildly with an uppercut but Gaines uses good head movement to avoid it.
Creola prevents a body shot from Gaines.
Knees to the body from Creola.
Gaines has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Creola avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gaines tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Creola just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Gaines. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gaines trying to control the position but instead, Creola has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gaines into the cage.
Creola avoids a wild elbow strike from Gaines.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaines tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Creola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gaines is trying to pull guard but Creola turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Creola crunches a lovely knee into Gaines's ribcage.

Creola breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gaines.
Creola tries to bum rush Gaines with a series of wild strikes but Gaines uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Creola is breathing heavily.

Gaines moves into the clinch.
Marcus Gaines has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Creola tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gaines manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaines blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gaines is trying to push Creola away but Creola has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gaines tries to score a body lock takedown but Creola shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Creola creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gaines.
Creola slows down the pace here.
Gaines is working for takedown but Creola is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gaines jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Creola walks away with a smile on his face. Gaines gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Creola swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gaines is defended easily by Creola.

Creola rushes Gaines and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gaines.
Creola pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Creola throws a punch but it's blocked by Gaines.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Creola seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Creola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gaines blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Creola misses with a body punch.
Gaines tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Creola just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gaines tries to pull guard but Creola holds him up against the cage and eventually Gaines drops back down to his feet.
Creola tries to land knees in the clinch but Gaines avoids the damage to the body.

Gaines pulls guard effortlessly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gaines is pulling down on Creola's head to control his posture.

Gaines is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Creola tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gaines avoids it.
Gaines managing to block the knees to the body from Creola.
Gaines scores with an uppercut up the middle.
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 Marcus Gaines will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gaines clinches up against the cage.
Creola's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Gaines drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Creola leaning against his opponent.
Gaines is trying to force a seperation but Creola has the dominant position.
Gaines tries to pull guard but Creola holds him up against the cage and eventually Gaines drops back down to his feet.
Gaines lands a shot to the body.
Creola takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gaines has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Creola after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Gaines. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Creola comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Creola tries to land knees in the clinch but Gaines avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaines tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Creola's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gaines rushes Creola and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gaines is trying to break free.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Creola throws a head punch that misses.
Gaines on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gaines managing to block the knees to the body from Creola.
Creola trying to control the position but instead, Gaines has worked for underhooks and has pushed Creola into the cage.
Creola throws a knee to the head but misses.

Gaines manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaines pulls Creola in close to his closed guard and prevents Creola from doing any damage or advancing position.
Creola wants to stand and escape but instead Gaines has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Gaines postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gaines controlling from the top position.
Creola utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gaines pushes down on Creola's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaines controlling the action here.
Gaines's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Marshall Creola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Gaines is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Creola doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gaines.

Gaines is looking for a kimura but Creola is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gaines to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaines keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gaines throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Marcus Gaines overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Creola tries to kick Gaines off but Gaines keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Gaines stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Creola to get to his feet.
Gaines closes the distance and clinches up with Creola, looking for a takedown. Gaines pushes Creola against the cage but Creola circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gaines tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gaines darts in looking for a takedown but Creola gets double underhooks and turns Gaines into the cage.
Marcus Gaines is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gaines is looking for a takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Gaines showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gaines, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Gaines!