PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brad Thicke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marrio Marselli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thicke comes to the cage accompanied by David Guetta and Snoop Dogg - Sweat . Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Thicke
vs
Marselli

184 cm
30
145 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

185 cm
26
145 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Alpha-Male Nutritional Supplements (q160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brad Thicke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marrio Marselli !
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thicke scores with a one two! Marselli had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Thicke throws a series of punches but Marselli avoids them all with ease.

Thicke shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Thicke lands a couple of digs.

Marselli has an active guard here but Thicke has managed to pass into half guard.
Marselli wants to get back to his feet.

Marselli actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Marselli is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thicke pulls his head out easily.

Marselli looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Thicke is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Marselli defends it well.
Thicke seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Marselli does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Thicke missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Marselli is not content to let Thicke control the position.
Thicke controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marselli looking for submissions off his back.
Thicke with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Thicke is trying to control the action in half guard but Marselli is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Marselli wants to get back to his feet.
Thicke content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Thicke is trying to control. Marselli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Brad Thicke.
Thicke moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Thicke looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marselli is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thicke pulls his head out easily.

Marselli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Marselli avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thicke.
Marselli blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thicke.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thicke missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thicke thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Marselli wants to get back to full guard.

Marselli is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thicke pulls his head out easily.

Thicke wants to work for an arm triangle but Marselli is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Thicke is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Marselli doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thicke.
Marselli is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thicke sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Marselli defending well though.
Marselli tries to get to full guard but Thicke has control of the leg.

Thicke is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Marselli actively working from the bottom here.
Thicke trying to control the action but Marselli is working from the bottom.

Marselli looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thicke really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Marselli looking for submissions off his back.
Thicke lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marselli is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thicke pulls his head out easily.
Thicke trying to control the action but Marselli is working from the bottom.

Thicke is working for a submission of some sort.
Thicke has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Thicke trying to control the action but Marselli is working from the bottom.

Marselli actively working from the bottom here.

Marselli looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Marselli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thicke moves into full mount! Marselli won't be happy about that!
Thicke lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brad Thicke dominated that round.
That's time! Thicke's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Marselli fails with an attempt to clinch.

Thicke drives through with a takedown into guard.
Marselli keeping moving, preventing Thicke from controlling successfully.

Marselli working for a triangle but Thicke defends it easily.
Marselli wants to stand but Thicke is controlling the position.
Thicke trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thicke throwing strikes but missing.

Marselli is looking for a triangle but Thicke pushes his legs off easily.
Marselli avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thicke trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thicke working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Marselli looking for a guillotine here but Thicke defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thicke is looking to work some ground and pound but Marselli has wrist control.

Marselli is looking for a triangle but Thicke pushes his legs off easily.
Marselli working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thicke.

Thicke got a little sloppy there for a moment and Marselli has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thicke has managed to get both his arms back between Marselli 's legs - danger averted.
Thicke stands up over Marselli , holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Marselli has his foot on Thicke's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thicke works his way back into a safe position though.
Brad Thicke overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Marselli utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Marselli looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Thicke passes into side control.
Marselli is breathing heavily.
Thicke throws a strike aimed at the side of Marselli 's head but Marselli avoids it well.

Thicke tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Thicke has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Marselli dodges the ground and pound from Thicke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thicke works to advance to full mount. Marselli defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Thicke trying to control but he's not successful this time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marselli is trying to escape the mount.
Marselli sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Marselli is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thicke pulls his head out easily.
Thicke missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Marselli looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Thicke pushes past his half guard into mount!
Thicke throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Thicke won't let Marselli get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Thicke trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Thicke is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Marselli can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Marselli holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Thicke tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Marselli is squirming around, avoiding Thicke's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marselli is trying to stand.
Thicke sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Thicke throws some wild stikes that Marselli manages to avoid easily.
Thicke sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Marselli avoids a series of strikes thrown by Thicke.

Thicke looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Thicke trying to control but Marselli is having none of it.
Thicke lands a couple of good shots and Marselli has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
I really don't envy Marselli right now.
Thicke throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Marselli tries to escape the position.

Marselli showing good submission defense here.

That's four 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!
Marselli is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Marselli is really stuck here.
Thicke struggling to land strikes to the head as Marselli covers up.

Marselli preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Thicke.

Thicke working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Marselli can't escape the position.
Even with his hooks in, Thicke manages to miss with strikes from the back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Marselli covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Marselli avoids the strikes from Thicke.
Thicke is trying to stick to Marselli 's back but Marselli is turning into Thicke. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Thicke's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Marselli .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brad Thicke dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Thicke feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Thicke passes Marselli 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Thicke throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Marselli is not content to let Thicke control the position.
Thicke not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Marselli wants to get back to his feet.

Marselli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thicke missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Marselli is looking to improve his position.
Thicke throwing shots but Marselli is blocking nicely.
Marselli is looking to improve his position.
Marselli is staying active underneath Thicke, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marselli avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thicke.
Thicke is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Thicke stops Marselli from getting back to his feet.

Marselli actively working from the bottom here.
Marselli takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thicke is trying to control the action in half guard but Marselli is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Marselli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thicke throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Thicke is working for a kimura but Marselli is defending it quite comfortably.

Thicke is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Marselli doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thicke.
Marselli wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thicke is trying to work for a kimura but Marselli is defending well.
Thicke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marselli can do to turn this around?
Marselli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Thicke stops Marselli from getting back to his feet.

Marselli looking for submissions off his back.

Marselli looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Thicke pushes past his half guard into mount!
Thicke thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thicke cracks Marselli with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Marselli keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Thicke lands a couple of good shots and Marselli has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thicke working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Marselli is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Marselli holding both Thicke 's hands and preventing any damage.
Marselli avoids the strikes from Thicke.
Marselli has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Thicke is punishing Marselli with some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marselli is trying to get back to his feet but Thicke has full control of the position and if anything, Marselli has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Marselli is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thicke has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Marselli has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Thicke throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Marselli turns into Thicke and is now in his guard.
Thicke is trying to keep Marselli in close.
Marselli loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thicke striking off his back but it's not causing Marselli any problems.
Marselli in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Marselli missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Marselli throws a big elbow that misses.
Marrio Marselli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brad Thicke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Marselli working some strikes from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brad Thicke showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thicke has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brad Thicke!
After the fight, Brad Thicke was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.