PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dennis Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heath Marcum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Bird
vs
Marcum

185 cm
28
195 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

187 cm
27
196 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dennis Bird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Heath Marcum!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Sergei Dronov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marcum gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Marcum wants the takedown. Bird is fighting it off but Marcum persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Bird's guard against the cage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Marcum trying to control the position from guard on top but Bird is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bird looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Bird working for a triangle but Marcum defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marcum trying to control the position from guard on top but Bird is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bird is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Marcum defends well.
Marcum trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marcum is looking to work some ground and pound but Bird has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Marcum accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Marcum throws a strike but Bird rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Marcum 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.
Marcum manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Marcum has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at NGF Private Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Marcum lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Marcum working the ground and pound effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marcum lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marcum has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Bird's face.
Marcum working the ground and pound effectively.

Bird is rocked!
Marcum loads up with a big shot that hurts Bird! He's pulled Marcum in close but Marcum has postured up and lands more strikes. Can Bird survive? More strikes from Marcum and Bird is out! The ref jumps in to save him! Brutal ground and pound!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Heath Marcum!
Heath Marcum took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'I wanna thank my fans and foremost and give thanks to God. Im gonna train to become the best at this sport and dedicate this win to my family back home. '.