PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maricue Russel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Garcia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maricue Russel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Russel
vs
Garcia

190 cm
27
200 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

184 cm
31
198 lbs
15 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Maricue Russel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris Garcia!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russel takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice takedown defense from Garcia. No joy for Russel on that attempt.
Garcia misses with a body shot

and Russel decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Garcia's guard.
Russel prevents Garcia from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Russel's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Garcia working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Russel.
Russel postures up and lands a big shot to Garcia's brow.
Russel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Garcia is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Garcia wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Russel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Russel throwing strikes from guard but Garcia blocks nicely.
Russel trying to control but Garcia is working from the bottom.
Garcia is trying to control the position but Russel postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Chris Garcia.
Russel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Garcia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Russel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Garcia pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Russel back to the cage. Garcia follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Garcia has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Russel is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Garcia looks for the body kick but Russel saw that one coming.
Garcia throws the kick towards the body but Russel avoids it.
Garcia scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Russel moves in looking to clinch but Garcia pushes him off.
Garcia fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Russel looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garcia throws a low kick but it's checked well by Russel.
Sloppy strikes from Garcia. Those never looked like landing.
Russel wants to clinch up but Garcia keeps it at a distance.
Garcia dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Garcia delivers a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia lands with a kick to the ribs.
Russel is breathing heavily.
Garcia throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Chris Garcia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Garcia lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Garcia cracks a nice hook into Russel's ribs.
Nice body kick there by Garcia.
Ohhhhhhhhhh, brutal head kick from Garcia! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Chris Garcia! Chris Garcia retains his middleweight title!
In his post fight interview, Chris Garcia started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.