PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Gardens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Albert Fish (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gardens comes to the cage accompanied by Not Tonight - Slaughterhouse. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gardens
vs
Fish

176 cm
19
192 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

175 cm
23
196 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Pandora
Slaughterhouse Nutrition

Fortitude Apparel

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcus Gardens!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Albert Fish!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Edson Gomes and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardens shoots in but no luck this time.
Fish throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gardens.
Nice sprawl there from Fish as Gardens shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Gardens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gardens will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fish tries to clinch but Gardens moves out of range.
Fish doesn't manage to clinch there - Gardens circles away.
Gardens steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fish.
Albert Fish seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gardens moves away from the strike by Fish.

Gardens bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Gardens looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Gardens thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fish prevents Gardens from moving into mount.

Gardens is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Fish has escaped the position, nice work there.

Gardens wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Fish, who protects the arm well.
Fish tries to improve position but can't.

Gardens is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fish is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Gardens goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Fish has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gardens but great work by Fish.
Gardens is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gardens is letting Fish control him for a moment.
Gardens tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gardens being controlled for a moment.
Gardens is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardens gets back to half guard.

Gardens actively working from the bottom here.
Fish with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Gardens looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fish performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Gardens looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gardens looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marcus Gardens will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gardens closes the distance and clinches up with Fish, looking for a takedown. Gardens pushes Fish against the cage but Fish circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fish wants to clinch.
Fish fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Fish swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Gardens looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Gardens is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Fish is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Fish has escaped and now he's on top!
Fish looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gardens is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gardens looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fish controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Gardens isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Fish stacks Gardens on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Fish!
Fish really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gardens. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gardens tries to bench press Fish off him but Fish keeps the position.
Gardens regains half guard.
Fish controlling the action here.

Gardens actively working from the bottom here.

Gardens is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Fish pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fish with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Gardens looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gardens gets back to full guard.
Gardens keeping full guard, as Fish tries to pass.
Fish not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Gardens escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fish gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gardens looking for a sweep. Not yet Gardens, not yet.
Gardens is looking to sweep but instead, Fish has passed into half guard.

Gardens looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fish passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Gardens!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Fish showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fish fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fish misses with the combination.

Gardens scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Gardens is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Fish has escaped the position, nice work there.
You can see the frustration on Fish's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Fish wants to get back to his feet but Gardens drags him back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gardens tries for a kimura but Fish is defending well.

Gardens thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gardens is working hard here to advance position.
Fish gets to mount! Gardens was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Gardens is trying to escape the mount.
Fish content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardens is looking to improve his position but Fish isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Fish controlling from mount.
Gardens bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Gardens has gone for a leg lock! Fish slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gardens's guard.

Gardens escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fish gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fish stays in close to Gardens's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Marcus Gardens did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gardens takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fish throws a looping overhand right but Gardens ducks down to avoid it.
A big right from Fish misses.
Fish is looking to clinch.
Gardens fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gardens slips a straight right by Fish.
Gardens moves out of range as Fish strikes.
Gardens throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fish's waist but Fish gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gardens off to one side.
Gardens throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fish's waist but Fish gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gardens off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Gardens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fish with a nice cross.
Fish throws a lazy right hand but Gardens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardens ducks under a wild hook from Fish.
Gardens ducks under a wild hook from Fish.
Fish looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fish doesn't manage to clinch there - Gardens circles away.
Fish throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gardens sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Gardens shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gardens showed some decent athleticism there.

Gardens is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Fish is just riding it out for now. Gardens eventually gives up the hold.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fish wants to improve his position but Gardens is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gardens is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fish doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gardens.

Gardens looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Gardens is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gardens is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Gardens is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Gardens is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gardens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fish.
Albert Fish is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gardens shoots in but no luck this time.
Gardens slips a jab from Fish.
Gardens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fish.
Gardens takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Gardens tries for a takedown but Fish sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fish misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Fish dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Fish tries to bum rush Gardens with a series of wild strikes but Gardens uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gardens staying out of range there.
Fish takes a swing at Gardens's ribcage but misses.
Fish throws a jab but it's blocked by Gardens.
Fish tries to close the distance and clinch but Gardens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fish scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fish stuffs the takedown attempt from Gardens. Gardens gets slowly back to his feet.
Fish tries to clinch up but Gardens circles away and keeps his distance.
Fish misses with a head kick.
Gardens looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Fish is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Gardens.
Fish throws a series of punches but Gardens avoids them all with ease.
Fish throws a big shot that misses.
Gardens slips a straight right by Fish.
Fish just misses with a punch to the body.

Fish closes the distance and clinches.
Fish misses with a punch on the inside.
Gardens blocks an uppercut.
Fish digs a right hand into Gardens's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gardens's gas tank.
Fish prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Gardens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gardens goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fish prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fish scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Fish swings wildly with an uppercut but Gardens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fish lands a shot to the body.
Fish lands with a light punch inside.
Fish lands a body punch in the clinch.
Fish misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fish creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fish swings wildly with an uppercut but Gardens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gardens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fish gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Fish lands an elbow just above Gardens 's eye.
A short right from Fish on the inside.
Fish fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fish softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fish lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gardens backwards.
Gardens is trying to drag Fish to the mat but Fish just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fish lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gardens backwards.
A short right from Fish on the inside.
A short right from Fish.
Fish misses with the head strike.
Fish lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fish lands a damaging elbow.
A right hook to the body lands for Fish.
Fish lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Fish lands a left hand.
A short right from Fish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fish gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gardens.
Fish gets through Gardens's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fish trying to land knees to the body.
Fish lands with a light punch inside.
Fish lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fish misses with the head strike.
Fish misses with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fish.
Gardens has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Fish is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Fish digs a right hand into Gardens's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gardens's gas tank.
Fish lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gardens's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fish lands a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Albert Fish comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fish 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 46:48
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Albert Fish!
Albert Fish is the new middleweight champion!