PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Marsden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Kirkland kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is DJ Vadim - The Terrorist. Marsden has chosen Feiticeira by Deftones as his entrance music. Vladimir Van Kirkland had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Van Kirkland
vs
Marsden

180 cm
29
164 lbs
18 - 11 - 0

176 cm
29
170 lbs
16 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry
Bad Man Clothing

BeastMode

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 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Van Kirkland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brandon Marsden!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Kirkland thows a leg kick but Marsden checks it

and Marsden counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Van Kirkland's guard now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marsden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Van Kirkland works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Van Kirkland is pulling down on Marsden's head to control his posture.
Marsden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Marsden is looking to work some ground and pound but Van Kirkland has wrist control.
Van Kirkland tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Marsden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Marsden scoring with punches to the head and body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marsden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marsden postures up in Van Kirkland's guard and throws a big left but Van Kirkland blocks it.
Van Kirkland pulls Marsden in to control the position.
Marsden is working Van Kirkland over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Marsden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsden is looking to work some ground and pound but Van Kirkland has wrist control.
Marsden throwing strikes but missing.
Marsden working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Van Kirkland's head.
Van Kirkland working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Marsden.
Marsden throws a big right hand that misses.
Van Kirkland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Marsden throws a strike but Van Kirkland rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Van Kirkland won't allow Marsden to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marsden is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Van Kirkland engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Marsden looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Kirkland is one step ahead there.

Marsden looking for a guillotine here but Van Kirkland defends easily.
Marsden wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland pushing down on Marsden's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Marsden has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Van Kirkland works his way into side control.
Marsden is looking for a sweep.

Van Kirkland goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Marsden rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Van Kirkland's guard! Nice work there by Marsden!
Marsden in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marsden distracts Van Kirkland with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Marsden loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsden throwing strikes but missing.
Marsden chips away with some ground and pound.
Marsden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Van Kirkland looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Van Kirkland is trying to control the position but Marsden postures up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marsden stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Van Kirkland swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Van Kirkland looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Kirkland utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Marsden stopping the sweep attempt from Van Kirkland.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Marsden dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Van Kirkland tries to score with a low kick but Marsden moves his leg out of the way.
Van Kirkland connects with a leg kick. Marsden looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Marsden checks a leg kick.
Van Kirkland scores with a crisp jab that stopped Marsden in his tracks.
Marsden shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Van Kirkland as he jumps to the side.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Marsden moves out of range.
Van Kirkland misses with a low kick.
We've been told by Van Kirkland's head coaches at Evil Empire: †AWAKENING† that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Van Kirkland throws a lazy right hand but Marsden sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Van Kirkland tries to work over Marsden's front leg with a kick but Marsden checks it.
Vladimir Van Kirkland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland misses with a kick to the body.
Van Kirkland pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Van Kirkland misses with an attempted mid kick.
Vladimir Van Kirkland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Van Kirkland.
Marsden checks a leg kick.
Marsden moves out of range of the leg kick from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland stuffs the takedown.
Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick

and Marsden counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Van Kirkland's guard now.
Marsden postures up in Van Kirkland's guard and throws a big left but Van Kirkland blocks it.
Marsden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Marsden in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Van Kirkland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Van Kirkland preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Marsden postures up in Van Kirkland's guard and throws a big left but Van Kirkland blocks it.
Marsden advances to half guard.
Marsden wants to advance to full mount but Van Kirkland doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Van Kirkland controlling the position.
Marsden throwing strikes from guard but Van Kirkland blocks nicely.
Brandon Marsden has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland is trying to keep Marsden in close.
Van Kirkland working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Marsden.
Marsden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Marsden throwing strikes but missing.
Marsden tries to free his leg and advance position but Van Kirkland is retaining full guard.
Marsden is looking to work some ground and pound but Van Kirkland has wrist control.
Marsden connects with a couple of short punches.
Van Kirkland is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Marsden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Van Kirkland avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Van Kirkland controls Marsden momentarily but Marsden frees himself.
Marsden postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marsden wants to pass the guard but Van Kirkland is keeping the position.
Van Kirkland seems keen to control Marsden's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Brandon Marsden will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Van Kirkland throws a solid leg kick but Marsden takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Van Kirkland.
Marsden checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Van Kirkland slaps away a takedown attempt from Marsden, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Van Kirkland tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Van Kirkland throws a low kick but Marsden avoids it.
Van Kirkland lands with a slapping head kick.
A head kick from Van Kirkland lands but Marsden takes it in his stride.
Marsden misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Marsden avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Marsden misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland lands a nice looking body kick.
Van Kirkland ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marsden.
Vladimir Van Kirkland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Marsden.
Van Kirkland throws a chopping leg kick but Marsden manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Van Kirkland ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marsden moves away.
Marsden takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Marsden is trying hard to land a takedown here. Van Kirkland sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Van Kirkland is looking to slow Marsden down with leg kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Van Kirkland tenderised Marsden's leg. Marsden is trying to keep his angry face on.
Van Kirkland thuds a left hand into Marsden's body.
Marsden takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Van Kirkland fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marsden avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Marsden tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Marsden looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Van Kirkland thumps Marsden with a low kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Marsden checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Marsden tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsden shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Van Kirkland sprawls well. Van Kirkland wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Marsden gets slowly back to his feet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland is looking to wear down Marsden with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Marsden takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Marsden checks a leg kick.
Vladimir Van Kirkland is winning the standup battle so far.
Van Kirkland throws a nice outside leg kick.
Marsden swings widly with a right hand
and Van Kirkland counters with an inside leg kick.
That kick from Van Kirkland tenderised Marsden's leg. Marsden is trying to keep his angry face on.
Van Kirkland misses with a leg kick
and Marsden counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A low kick from Van Kirkland misses

and Marsden counters with a single leg into guard. Van Kirkland didn't expect that.
Vladimir Van Kirkland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Kirkland is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Marsden pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Kirkland is keeping the position for now.
Marsden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Van Kirkland not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Van Kirkland controlling the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Van Kirkland wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Vladimir Van Kirkland just wasn't active enough.
Marsden avoids the head kick by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland connects with a leg kick. Marsden looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Van Kirkland showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Marsden 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Marsden!
Brandon Marsden made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'A weakling like you doesn't deserve fists to fight with, now go fade to nothingness!'.