PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Conner McFaber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonard Marucio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McFaber
vs
Marucio

160 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
132 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Conner McFaber!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leonard Marucio!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McFaber punishes Marucio's body with a nice straight punch.
Marucio will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Marucio misses with a jab, cross combination.
Marucio goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Marucio misses with a jab, cross combination.
McFaber tries to land a leg kick but Marucio saw it coming and moves away.
McFaber throws a right hand that Marucio ducks under and follows up with a left that Marucio also avoids with ease.
Leonard Marucio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McFaber dives in for a single leg takedown but Marucio sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Marucio gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McFaber.

McFaber pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McFaber lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Marucio circles away quickly and effectively.
McFaber throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McFaber is trying hard to land a takedown here. Marucio sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conner McFaber. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marucio misses with a wild combination.
McFaber keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Marucio throws the kick towards the body but McFaber avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marucio throws a head kick but McFaber moves out of range.
Marucio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McFaber throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Good shot there by Marucio.

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

McFaber pulls guard.

McFaber looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Marucio stands and steps away. McFaber gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
McFaber looks for a takedown but Marucio sprawls well.
McFaber is breathing heavily.
McFaber is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Marucio.
Marucio throws a right hand that McFaber ducks under and follows up with a left that McFaber also avoids with ease.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good exchange - McFaber coming out on top.
Marucio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McFaber showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Marucio.
Marucio tries to bum rush McFaber with a series of wild strikes but McFaber uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McFaber dodges the punch combination from Marucio.
Marucio swinging wildly here.
Marucio lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
McFaber tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Marucio swivels and escapes.
Marucio throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McFaber.
McFaber tries to score a power double leg takedown but Marucio sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McFaber somewhat.
Marucio throws a head kick but McFaber moves out of range.
McFaber slips a straight right by Marucio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McFaber has a takedown stuffed.
Marucio misses with a double jab.
McFaber circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marucio scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Marucio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McFaber counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McFaber misses with a two punch combination.
McFaber lunges at Marucio with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Marucio's hand.
Marucio looks to land a combination but McFaber avoids it well.
A head kick misses from McFaber.
McFaber misses with a leg kick.

McFaber moves into range and clinches up with Marucio.
The referee is keeping an eye on McFaber - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Marucio tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McFaber prevents Marucio from breaking the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Marucio's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Marucio wants to get back to striking at distance but McFaber won't allow it.

McFaber's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Leonard Marucio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marucio connects with a high kick.
Marucio misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McFaber lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Marucio backs up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marucio tries a head kick but it misses.

McFaber closes the distance and clinches.
Marucio can't break the clinch.
McFaber tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Marucio avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

McFaber escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

McFaber has Marucio up against the cage in a clinch.
McFaber keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Marucio's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Leonard Marucio will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Marucio misses with a few strikes there.
McFaber shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Marucio defends it nicely.
Marucio falls off balance throwing a combination
and McFaber counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Marucio thows a left - swing and a miss!
Conner McFaber is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A left and a right from Marucio both land. Nice combination.
McFaber looks to score with a jab to the body but Marucio is just out of range.
McFaber fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Marucio avoids it really well and circles away.
Marucio throws a right and a left that McFaber avoids nicely.
McFaber throws a head kick but Marucio moves out of range.
Marucio looks to land a combination but McFaber avoids it well.
Marucio looks to land a combination but McFaber avoids it well.
McFaber misses with an attempted mid kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marucio throws a head kick but McFaber moves out of range.

McFaber moves into the clinch successfully.
Marucio looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Marucio is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conner McFaber. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McFaber wants a takedown.
Marucio wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Marucio tries to pull guard but McFaber forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
McFaber stalling the fight.
Marucio is trying to break free.
Marucio wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Marucio's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Marucio is trying to pull guard but McFaber has him pressed against the cage.
McFaber pushes Marucio back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Marucio is trying to push McFaber away but McFaber has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

McFaber manages to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McFaber kicks Marucio off and gets to his feet.
Leonard Marucio seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McFaber looks to land a body kick but Marucio moved away.
Marucio misses with a two punch combination.
McFaber wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marucio throws a head kick but McFaber moves out of range.
Marucio keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McFaber takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Marucio throws a left and a right that both miss
and McFaber makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Marucio avoids the head kick by McFaber.
Marucio throws a right and a left that McFaber avoids nicely.
Marucio tries a head kick but it misses.
Marucio tries to bum rush McFaber with a series of wild strikes but McFaber uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Marucio misses with a combination

and McFaber counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marucio working hard to break the clinch.
McFaber keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Marucio's efforts to push away.
McFaber tries to score a body lock takedown but Marucio shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

McFaber breaks the clinch.
Marucio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McFaber tries to land a front kick but Marucio steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Marucio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McFaber misses the shot to the body.
McFaber fails to land with a series of punches.
McFaber is looking to wear down Marucio with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Marucio rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McFaber moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A head kick misses from Marucio.

Marucio gets tackled into the cage by McFaber. McFaber maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McFaber escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Marucio scores with a head kick.
McFaber misses with a low kick.

McFaber shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than McFaber was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Marucio is trying to buck McFaber off.
Marucio trying to remain calm as McFaber controls from the top position.
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!
Marucio wants to get back to his feet but McFaber is dominant here and he's now got Marucio's back!
Marucio takes a big shot to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A bit of a pause in the action here. McFaber controlling the positon.
Marucio has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conner McFaber dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

McFaber shoots in and drives through. Marucio sprawls well.
Marucio throws a right and a left that both miss.
McFaber throws a right and a left that Marucio avoids nicely.

McFaber clinches with his opponent.
McFaber keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Marucio's efforts to push away.
McFaber goes for a takedown attempt but Marucio pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A head kick from Marucio lands but McFaber takes it in his stride.
Marucio throws a right and a left that McFaber avoids nicely.
Marucio goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McFaber wants to clinch.
McFaber wants to clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marucio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McFaber shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Marucio but Marucio pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conner McFaber. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McFaber tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Marucio manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McFaber circles away from the clinch attempt.
McFaber lands a jab-cross combination.

McFaber moves into the clinch.
Marucio is looking to break free of the clinch but McFaber has double underhooks.

McFaber pulls Marucio into guard.
Marucio wants to stand but McFaber has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

McFaber has his feet on Marucio's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marucio lands a two punch combo.
Marucio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McFaber counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
McFaber looks for a takedown but Marucio sprawls well.
McFaber takes a kick to the side of the head.
Marucio lands a high kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
McFaber swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Marucio.
Marucio throws a series of punches but McFaber avoids them all with ease.
Marucio lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as McFaber backs up against the cage.
McFaber tries to close the distance and clinch up but Marucio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Some wild striking there from Marucio.
McFaber jabs Marucio to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marucio throws a head kick that misses.
Good shot there by McFaber.
McFaber shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McFaber avoids the body shot from Marucio.
McFaber throws a head kick but Marucio moves out of range.
Marucio lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McFaber circles away quickly and effectively.
McFaber throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Marucio's waist but Marucio gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McFaber off to one side.
Marucio throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McFaber lands a nice shot to the body.
Marucio fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Marucio throws a head kick that misses.
Marucio misses with a wild combination.
Marucio moves to clinch but McFaber breaks away

and McFaber holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Conner McFaber has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McFaber drags the fight down to the ground.

McFaber has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Marucio is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Marucio wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Marucio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McFaber has him pressed against the cage.
McFaber prevents Marucio from breaking the clinch.
McFaber can't get the takedown.
Marucio is trying to break the clinch but McFaber has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McFaber keeps control of Marucio as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Marucio is trying to force a seperation but McFaber has the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McFaber wants to take the fight to the mat but Marucio manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Marucio looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Marucio is trying to break the clinch but McFaber has him pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from McFaber.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Leonard Marucio.
I think Marucio 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Leonard Marucio!