PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sam Marcus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Mason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Mason's choice of entrance music: Darude - Sandstorm. Sam Marcus could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Max Mason's chin.

Marcus
vs
Mason

176 cm
22
200 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

214 cm
26
220 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sam Marcus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Max Mason!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Francis DeMontford and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mason looks for the body kick but Marcus saw that one coming.
Mason looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Marcus takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mason is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Mason throws a sloppy head kick and Marcus moves out of range easily.
It looked like Marcus was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Mason drives through and clinches with Marcus against the cage.

Marcus's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mason stuffs the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Mason. No joy for Marcus on that attempt.
And Mason responds with a good body kick, but Marcus manages to step out the way in time.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Marcus breaks the clinch.
Mason throws a right and a left that both miss.
A leg kick checked by Marcus.
Mason scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mason shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Marcus eats them both and turns towards Mason to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mason has Marcus up against the cage in a clinch.
Marcus could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Mason lands a shoulder strike.
Mason looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Marcus landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Marcus.
Marcus misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mason.

Marcus breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mason smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mason throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Marcus shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Marcus. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mason clinches with his opponent.
Marcus tries to land knees in the clinch but Mason avoids the damage to the body.
Mason lands a body shot.
Marcus is breathing heavily.
Marcus wants to break the clinch but can't.

Marcus manages to break the clinch.
Mason lands with a good body shot.
Mason lands a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Decent striking displayed by Mason there.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Mason lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Marcus has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Marcus and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Mason rushes Marcus and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Marcus is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mason is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mason.
Mason digs a right hand underneath Marcus's ribcage. Marcus let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Mason landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Marcus avoiding damage as Mason throws knees to the body.
Mason prevents Marcus from breaking the clinch.
Mason lands a knee to the head.
Marcus blocks a body shot from Mason.
Mason throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mason lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Knees in the clinch landing for Mason.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mason creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Mason throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Marcus wants to break free but Mason has control.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Mason just misses with a elbow thrown towards Marcus's brow.
Mason makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mason lands a shoulder strike.
Marcus avoids a wild elbow strike from Mason.
Mason using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Marcus has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mason on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mason landing knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason digs a right hand into Marcus's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Marcus's gas tank.
Mason landing knees to the head.
Mason landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Mason working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mason lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mason with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mason struggles to land a body shot inside as Marcus controls his hands.
Marcus wants to get back to striking at distance but Mason won't allow it.
Mason blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mason tries a knee to the head but Marcus blocks it.
Mason lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mason misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mason tries to land knees in the clinch but Marcus avoids the damage to the body.
A short uppercut from Mason.
Mason is leaning against Marcus and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Mason lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Marcus avoiding damage as Mason throws knees to the body.
Mason misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marcus tries to circle away but Mason has him pinned against the cage.
Marcus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mason has him pressed against the cage.
Mason prevents Marcus from breaking the clinch.
Mason with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Marcus lands a nice shot to the body.
Marcus blocks the elbow strike.
Good body shot from Mason.
Mason lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Marcus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mason forces Marcus back against the cage and clinches.
Mason pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Marcus's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Marcus is trying to force a seperation but Mason has the dominant position.
Mason lands a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mason pushes Marcus back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Marcus takes an elbow to the temple.
Mason lands with a light punch inside.
Mason lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mason throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Mason dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mason swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Max Mason seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mason misses with an attempted mid kick.
As Mason looks to move away, Marcus throws a big counter combo bu Mason just gets out of the way.
Marcus fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mason avoids it really well and circles away.
Marcus shoots in for a double leg but Mason sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Marcus takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Marcus checks a leg kick.

Mason clinches.
Marcus crunches a lovely knee into Mason's ribcage.
Mason tries a knee to the head but Marcus blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marcus pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mason closes the distance and clinches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Mason just misses with a elbow thrown towards Marcus's brow.
Mason pushes Marcus back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Marcus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mason works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mason lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Marcus blocks a body shot from Mason.
Marcus wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Marcus avoiding damage as Mason throws knees to the body.
Mason with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Marcus tries to break free but Mason pushes him back against the cage.
Mason lands an uppercut.
Mason is leaning against Marcus and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Mason misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mason scores with a knee to the head.
Marcus has had enough of the clinch but Mason keeps him there for the moment.
Mason scores with a knee to the head.
Mason trying to land knees to the body.
Mason throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Marcuss head.
Marcus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Marcus prevents a body shot from Mason.
Mason utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mason missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Marcus is defending well for now.
Marcus has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mason missing with knees to the body.
Mason misses with a knee strike.

Marcus breaks from the clinch.

Mason closes the distance and clinches.
Mason tries to land a knee to the head but Marcus blocks with his arms.
Marcus can't break the clinch.
Marcus tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Marcus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mason tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Marcus's elbow.
Mason missing with knees to the body.
Mason unloads a knee to the mid-section. Marcus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mason misses with a knee strike.
Mason digs a right hand into Marcus's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Marcus's gas tank.
Mason misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mason has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mason tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mason lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason throws an elbow that misses.
Mason can't find room to land a body shot as Marcus controls the action.
Mason lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mason is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Marcus is defending well for now.

Marcus escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Max Mason seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mason lands a jab to Marcus's midsection.

Mason clinches.
Mason with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mason tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Marcus avoids it.
Marcus is trying to force a seperation but Mason has the dominant position.

Marcus breaks from the clinch.
Mason pivots, looking for a leg kick but Marcus is out of range and Mason settles back down.
Mason scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Mason lands with a nice body punch.
Mason throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Mason throws a nice looking combination but Marcus bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mason throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mason displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Marcus.
Mason misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Mason.
Mason's jab looks to have found its range, popping Marcus under the eye.
Mason throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mason misses with the combination.
Mason thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Marcus if he has to take too many more of those.

Mason has closed the distance and engaged Marcus in a clinch.
Mason tries a knee to the head but Marcus blocks it.
Marcus fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Mason 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! This is the final round!

Mason misses with a head kick.
Good exchange - Mason coming out on top.
Mason misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Mason has managed to clinch.

Marcus's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mason leaves Marcus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mason looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Marcus with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mason to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice straight punches there by Mason. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mason.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marcus fails to land with a series of punches.
Mason lands a two punch combo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Mason darts in and clinches Marcus up against the cage.
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!
Mason pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Marcus breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Marcus at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mason trying to land knees to the body.
Marcus dodges an elbow strike from Mason.
Marcus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Marcus digs a right hand underneath Mason's ribcage. Mason let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Mason - that landed with a thud.
Marcus takes a shot to the head.
Marcus is looking to break free of the clinch but Mason has double underhooks.
Marcus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mason has him pressed against the cage.
Mason cracks Marcus with a nice body shot.
Mason using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Mason doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Marcus is trying to force a seperation but Mason has the dominant position.
Marcus blocks an elbow strike.
Marcus dodges an elbow strike from Mason.
A left hand lands to the body for Mason.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason tries a knee to the head but Marcus blocks it.
Mason tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mason tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Marcus's elbow.
Mason putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Marcus in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Mason misses with a knee to the head.
Mason tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mason is leaning against Marcus and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Mason misses with an elbow strike.
Mason throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mason misses with a knee to the head.
Marcus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Marcus's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mason's corner calls for a 1-2. Mason obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sam Marcus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mason throws a sloppy head kick and Marcus moves out of range easily.
Marcus lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Marcus ducks right into an uppercut from Mason.
Marcus looks for a takedown but Mason sprawls well.
Mason tries to counter by closing the distance.
Max Mason is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marcus walks into a straight right hand from Mason.
Nice body punch from Mason.
Mason jabs Marcus right on the nose. Marcus blinks but takes it well.
Mason scores with the left hand. Marcus knows he should have avoided that one.
Mason throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Marcus loads up on a big right hand but Mason slips the punch.
Mason has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Mason lands a high kick!
Mason fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mason is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Mason misses with a body shot.
Mason connects with a body shot that sends Marcus's belly button to the back.
Mason lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Marcus at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice jab there from Mason.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Mason has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mason lands a right hand that snaps the head of Marcus backwards.
Marcus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mason tries to land knees in the clinch but Marcus avoids the damage to the body.
Marcus lands an elbow inside.
Marcus dodges an elbow strike from Mason.
Marcus is working Mason over against the cage.
Marcus crunches a lovely knee into Mason's ribcage.

Marcus breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Marcus avoids the head kick by Mason.
Marcus attempts a counter takedown but Mason avoids it well and moves away.
Marcus fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Marcus. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mason clinches up with Marcus and pushes him back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Mason comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mason has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 26:30
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 26:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Mason!
Max Mason thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Sam Marcus was interviewed post fight and said 'Next time'.