PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Richie Hodges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Des Marto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richie Hodges has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hodges
vs
Marto

213 cm
18
151 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
23
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Richie Hodges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Des Marto!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marto with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hodges counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Marto!
Marto wants to control but Hodges postures up.
Hodges wants to stand but Marto has his arm trapped.
Hodges throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Hodges tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
You can see the frustration on Marto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Marto is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hodges off and has taken his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Marto really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Hodges.
Hodges covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Marto is hanging on to Hodges's back as he tries to escape.

Marto is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Hodges knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Hodges for a finish.
Marto keeps control of the position as Hodges tries to break free.
Hodges trying to control the action but Marto just sinks the hooks in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodges can't escape the position.
Marto is riding his opponent, not letting Hodges buck him off.
Hodges looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Hodges trying to control the action but Marto just sinks the hooks in.
A lull in the action here.
Marto avoiding Hodges 's attempts to control his hands.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Marto thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marto working for the choke.

Marto is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Hodges defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Marto missing with punches from the back.
Hodges looking very determined here, making life difficult for Marto.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marto is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Hodges is defending well though. Marto let's go of the attempt for now.

Marto has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Hodges has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Hodges wants to escape the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Marto looking to break Hodges's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Hodges remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Marto will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Des Marto will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Marto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hodges throws a body punch but Marto moves out of range.

Hodges closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hodges lands in his opponent's guard.
Marto controls Hodges momentarily but Hodges frees himself.
Hodges trying to control the position from guard on top but Marto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marto is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hodges accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hodges tries to free his leg and advance position but Marto is retaining full guard.
Marto is trying to hold Hodges in close to prevent damage but Hodges has managed to pass into half guard.
Hodges prevents Marto from improving his position.
Richie Hodges overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hodges wants to pass the guard but Marto is defending well.
Hodges prevents Marto from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodges throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Hodges is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hodges wants to take a breather but Marto is having none of it.
Hodges passes into side control, despite Marto's attempt to control the position.
Hodges wants to lay and pray for a moment but Marto keeps working.
Marto tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marto looks to move to half guard but instead Hodges has passed into mount! Damn!
Hodges scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Marto is looking to improve his position but Hodges isn't that keen on the idea.
Hodges can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Marto is looking to escape.
Hodges takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marto is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hodges wants to control the pace but Marto is squirming around nicely.
Marto really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hodges is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Hodges is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Marto can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hodges cracks Marto with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richie Hodges dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hodges closes the distance but Marto moves to the side
and Marto counters with a right hand to the body.
Hodges dives in for a single leg takedown but Marto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hodges wants to take the fight to the mat but Marto manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Marto jumps guard but Hodges turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Marto drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hodges gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Hodges's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Marto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Richie Hodges has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Des Marto.
A punch lands to the side of Hodges 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Hodges throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Marto tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hodges is in Marto's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges trying to control the position from guard on top but Marto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hodges throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hodges postures up.
Marto is pulling down on Hodges's head to control his posture.
Marto's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Des Marto hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Marto dives in and grabs Hodges's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hodges pushes down on Marto's head and hops out.
Marto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hodges tries to score a power double leg takedown but Marto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hodges somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marto on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Marto misses with a wild combination.
Hodges moves in looking to clinch but Marto pushes him off.
Hodges shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Marto is defended easily by Hodges.
Marto will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hodges is able to avoid easily.
Marto goes for a double leg but Hodges avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hodges continues to drive forward.
Hodges tries to score a body lock takedown but Marto shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hodges has Marto pushed against the cage.
Marto drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hodges gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hodges tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Marto smiles and moves away.
Hodges looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Marto is fending him off so far but Hodges persists. Nope, Marto circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hodges looks for a takedown but Marto sprawls well.
Marto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hodges as he jumps to the side.
Marto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hodges but Hodges pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Marto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hodges drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hodges content to stall in guard here.
Marto is trying to control the position but Hodges postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richie Hodges showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hodges 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richie Hodges!