PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Marsden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marsden comes to the cage accompanied by Feiticeira by Deftones. Van Kirkland has chosen DJ Vadim - The Terrorist as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Marsden
vs
Van Kirkland

176 cm
29
170 lbs
17 - 13 - 1

180 cm
30
164 lbs
19 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

BeastMode

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Bad Man Clothing (Nothing over 40$)

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 17 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brandon Marsden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Van Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Kirkland with a nice cross.
Van Kirkland misses with a lunging right hand
and Marsden counters with a stiff right hand.
Van Kirkland lands with an overhand left.
Van Kirkland goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Van Kirkland. Marsden does a little dance to reset his feet.
Van Kirkland fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marsden manages to avoid it.
Van Kirkland fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Van Kirkland throws an off balance right hand
and Marsden counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that misses.
Van Kirkland keeps Marsden at a distance using the push kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marsden on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Van Kirkland moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsden defending well as Van Kirkland loads up on a big left hand.
Van Kirkland goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Van Kirkland throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Van Kirkland thows a leg kick but Marsden checks it
and Marsden counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Van Kirkland throws a chopping leg kick but Marsden manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Marsden chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Van Kirkland can pounce on him.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Kirkland misses with a hook.
Van Kirkland scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Marsden definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Van Kirkland misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland throws a low kick, looking for Marsden's leg but Marsden calmly moves out of range.
Marsden takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Van Kirkland misses with the body kick

and Marsden counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Van Kirkland!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Marsden goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Van Kirkland rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Marsden's guard! Nice work there by Van Kirkland!
My spies in Bipolar Asylum inform me that Van Kirkland has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Van Kirkland looking to pass the guard.
Marsden 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.

Marsden had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Kirkland defends it easily.
Van Kirkland preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Kirkland drops back looking for a leg! Marsden is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Marsden manages to kick Van Kirkland off! Van Kirkland jumps back into Marsden's guard.
Van Kirkland forces his way into half guard.
Marsden is staying active underneath Van Kirkland, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Van Kirkland looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Marsden wants to improve his position but Van Kirkland is controlling well.
Marsden regains full guard. Nicely done.
Van Kirkland won't allow Marsden to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marsden working for submissions but it's allowed Van Kirkland to get to half guard.
Marsden is refusing to be controlled, as Van Kirkland sits in half guard.
Marsden makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Marsden.

Marsden had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Kirkland defends it easily.

Marsden working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Van Kirkland doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Van Kirkland manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Van Kirkland pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marsden is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Van Kirkland dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Van Kirkland throws a body kick that misses.
Van Kirkland throws a body kick that misses.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that misses.
Marsden walks into a stiff left hand from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Van Kirkland throws a nice outside leg kick.
Van Kirkland scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Marsden staying out of range there.
Van Kirkland fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marsden manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Van Kirkland misses the target.
Van Kirkland lands the left hand.
Nice straight punches there by Van Kirkland. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland is looking to score with low kicks.
Van Kirkland finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Van Kirkland misses with a body kick.
Van Kirkland lets loose with a powerful body kick. Marsden will feel that in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Marsden has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Vladimir Van Kirkland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sloppy strikes from Van Kirkland. Those never looked like landing.
Marsden takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Kirkland swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Van Kirkland swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Marsden.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that misses

and Marsden counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Marsden.
Marsden is looking to work some ground and pound but Van Kirkland has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Kirkland trying to control the position.
Marsden throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsden in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marsden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Marsden throwing strikes from guard but Van Kirkland blocks nicely.
Van Kirkland preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Marsden throws a big elbow that misses.
Marsden won't allow Van Kirkland to sweep him here.
Marsden forces his way into half guard.
Marsden throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Van Kirkland to regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Marsden is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Marsden postures up.
Van Kirkland controlling Marsden's posture.
Marsden works a leg free and moves into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marsden passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Van Kirkland!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marsden lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Van Kirkland hang on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vladimir Van Kirkland will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick and Marsden moves out of range easily.

It looks like Vladimir Van Kirkland has been cut.
Van Kirkland misses with a hook

and Marsden counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Van Kirkland is trying to control the position but Marsden postures up.
Van Kirkland keeping full guard, as Marsden tries to pass.
Marsden throws a big right hand that misses.
Marsden loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Van Kirkland trying to control the position.
Marsden stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Van Kirkland swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Marsden.
Marsden wants to pass the guard but Van Kirkland is keeping the position.
Van Kirkland looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Vladimir Van Kirkland.
Marsden takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Van Kirkland misses with a low kick as Marsden jumps back.
Van Kirkland cracks a nice hook into Marsden's ribs.
Van Kirkland throws a hook to the side of Marsden's head but Marsden sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Brandon Marsden has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland misses with an uppercut. Marsden saw that one coming.
Van Kirkland connects with a solid leg kick.
Van Kirkland lands a head kick!
Van Kirkland tries a head kick but it misses.
Van Kirkland lands a nice leg kick that just misses Marsden's sensitive parts.
Van Kirkland throws a lazy head kick

and Marsden counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Kirkland wants to improve his position but Marsden is controlling well.
Van Kirkland manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Kirkland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Marsden makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Marsden pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Kirkland is keeping the position for now.
Marsden is working hard here to advance position.
Van Kirkland trying to keep a closed guard but Marsden is proving a slippery customer.
Marsden throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Marsden!
Van Kirkland prevents Marsden from getting the reversal.
Vladimir Van Kirkland is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Marsden showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Van Kirkland has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Van Kirkland!
A very excited looking Vladimir Van Kirkland rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.