PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marquis Stewart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Argentino Canaxcla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Argentino Canaxcla has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stewart
vs
Canaxcla

182 cm
24
151 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

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 Sydney, Marquis Stewart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Argentino Canaxcla!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Ben Hemmingworth and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stewart tries to clinch up but Canaxcla circles away and keeps his distance.

Canaxcla forces Stewart back against the cage and clinches.
Canaxcla prevents Stewart from breaking the clinch.
Canaxcla tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Stewart tries to circle away but Canaxcla has him pinned against the cage.

Canaxcla ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Canaxcla no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Canaxcla looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Canaxcla managing to control the position.
Canaxcla manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stewart manages to get himself to full guard.
Stewart trying to strike off his back.
Canaxcla is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Canaxcla wants to get up but he can't break Stewart's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Stewart throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Stewart throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Stewart trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Canaxcla stopping the sweep attempt from Stewart.
Stewart controls Canaxcla momentarily but Canaxcla frees himself.

That's two minutes 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.
Canaxcla changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stewart tries to avoid it but Canaxcla manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stewart to the ground. Stewart escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Stewart clinches with his opponent.
Canaxcla is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Canaxcla has Stewart pressed against the cage, preventing Stewart from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stewart wants a takedown.
Canaxcla jumps guard but Stewart turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Marquis Stewart has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Argentino Canaxcla.
Canaxcla is working Stewart over against the cage.
Canaxcla changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stewart fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stewart stuffs the takedown attempt from Canaxcla. Canaxcla gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stewart really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Stewart avoiding damage as Canaxcla throws knees to the body.
Canaxcla changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stewart fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Canaxcla looks for the body kick but Stewart saw that one coming.
Canaxcla shoots for a double leg takedown but Stewart sprawls well. He's pushed Canaxcla's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stewart keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The fighters circling - Stewart throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart lands with a kick to the ribs.
Canaxcla shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stewart as he avoids it easily.
Canaxcla misses with a takedown attempt - Stewart sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Canaxcla looks winded!
A head kick by Canaxcla misses
and Stewart counters with a slapping leg kick.
Stewart fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Stewart scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Marquis Stewart is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Canaxcla shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stewart as he avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stewart misses with a head kick.
Stewart lands a high kick!
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Canaxcla paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Argentino Canaxcla will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Marquis Stewart's cut.
That's time! Stewart's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stewart misses with a hook.
Canaxcla changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stewart tries to avoid it but Canaxcla manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stewart to the ground. Stewart escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stewart dodges the punch combination from Canaxcla.
Canaxcla changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stewart tries to avoid it but Canaxcla manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stewart to the ground. Stewart escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Stewart tries to keep at a distance but Canaxcla has taken the fight into the clinch.
Canaxcla wants to break the clinch but can't.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Stewart.

Stewart pulls Canaxcla into guard.
Canaxcla is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Canaxcla postures up in Stewart's guard and throws a big left but Stewart blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart wants to sweep here but Canaxcla controlling him for the moment.
Canaxcla throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stewart tries to strike from the bottom.
Canaxcla wants to control from the top but Stewart keeps moving.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Stewart not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Canaxcla wants to pass the guard but Stewart is keeping the position.
Canaxcla wants to control from the top but Stewart keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Argentino Canaxcla.
Canaxcla closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stewart circles away.
Marquis Stewart has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Argentino Canaxcla.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Canaxcla throws a lazy head kick
and Stewart counters with a thumping low kick.
Stewart feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Canaxcla's calf.
Stewart scores with a leg kick.
Canaxcla shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stewart but Stewart pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Argentino Canaxcla seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Canaxcla is breathing heavily.
Canaxcla shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stewart defends it nicely.
Stewart stuffs the takedown attempt from Canaxcla. Canaxcla gets slowly back to his feet.

Canaxcla instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stewart gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Canaxcla regains guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stewart postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stewart has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stewart is looking to work some ground and pound but Canaxcla has wrist control.

Canaxcla working for a triangle but Stewart defends it easily.
Stewart throwing strikes but missing.
Canaxcla wants to control the position but Stewart says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Stewart thows a huge punch but Canaxcla dodges it nicely.
Marquis Stewart overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Canaxcla is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stewart landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stewart winds up and cracks Canaxcla with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stewart connects with a nice short shot to Canaxcla's temple.
Stewart with the ground and pound but Canaxcla uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Canaxcla looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Canaxcla preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Canaxcla has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stewart can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stewart accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marquis Stewart dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Marquis Stewart's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Canaxcla gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stewart counters with a big head kick but Canaxcla shrugs it off.

Canaxcla takes the fight into the clinch.
Stewart fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Stewart can't break the clinch.
Canaxcla wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Stewart has him pressed against the cage.
Stewart tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Canaxcla just stands there and leans against the cage.

Canaxcla jumps guard and drags Stewart to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Canaxcla is looking to stand up but Stewart isn't so interested in that idea.
Stewart throwing strikes from guard but Canaxcla blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stewart postures up in Canaxcla's guard and throws a big left but Canaxcla blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stewart accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stewart throwing strikes from guard but Canaxcla blocks nicely.
Stewart postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stewart accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stewart in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stewart throws a big elbow that misses.

Canaxcla escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stewart gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Canaxcla throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart wanted to stand there but Canaxcla had control of the position.
Canaxcla preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stewart loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stewart working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Stewart got a little sloppy there for a moment and Canaxcla has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stewart has managed to get both his arms back between Canaxcla's legs - danger averted.
Canaxcla takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Canaxcla has a closed guard, preventing Stewart from standing up.
Stewart throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Canaxcla pulls Stewart in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Canaxcla trying to strike off his back.

Canaxcla working for a triangle but Stewart defends it easily.
Canaxcla is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Stewart throws a big right hand that misses.
Stewart postures up in Canaxcla's guard and throws a big left but Canaxcla blocks it.
Canaxcla looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Canaxcla preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Canaxcla working a defensive guard here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Canaxcla preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Canaxcla lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stewart!
Stewart tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Stewart defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Canaxcla.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Canaxcla lands a couple of good shots and Stewart has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

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 Marquis Stewart.
I think Stewart 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 Topper Green scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!