PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Aurellius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Tamad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aurellius comes to the cage accompanied by Ave Maria. Tamad is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Joker. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Aurellius
vs
Tamad

178 cm
35
203 lbs
21 - 11 - 1

184 cm
39
200 lbs
27 - 26 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marcus Aurellius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 26 - 1, fighting out of London, Juan Tamad!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Aurellius.
Aurellius throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aurellius connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tamad throws a poor cross that misses
and Aurellius counters with a nice low kick that buckles Tamad's knee momentarily.
Tamad misses with an uppercut. Aurellius saw that one coming.
Aurellius misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tamad has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tamad. Aurellius does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aurellius avoids a punch combination nicely.
Aurellius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tamad moves away.
Tamad lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Aurellius getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Aurellius takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tamad misses with a few strikes there.
Tamad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aurellius moves away.
Tamad buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tamad jabs Aurellius to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamad moves out of range of the strikes.
Tamad digs a good body shot into Aurellius's ribs.
Tamad lands with an uppercut that bounces Aurellius off the cage and back into range.
Tamad misses with a body punch
and Aurellius counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aurellius seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Aurellius throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tamad tries to clinch there but Aurellius circles away.
Aurellius tries to counter by clinching up but Tamad breaks away and moves out of range.
Tamad throws a shot from downtown. Aurellius moves away and avoids it.
Tamad displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aurellius throws out the jab.
Aurellius blocks the body kick.
Tamad misses with a series of wild punches.
Aurellius misses the jab.
Tamad is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Aurellius.
Aurellius throws a leg kick but Tamad sees it coming and moves out of range.
Aurellius dips to his left and cracks Tamad with an uppercut!
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!
Tamad throws a right and a left that Aurellius avoids nicely.
Some bone on bone action there as Aurellius checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Aurellius lands a lovely overhand right.
Tamad tries to clinch up.
Aurellius checks a leg kick nicely.
Aurellius was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A big right from Tamad misses.
Aurellius misses with a hook. Tamad ducked under it nicely.
Aurellius uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tamad.
Aurellius slips a jab from Tamad.
Aurellius misses with a left hand
and Tamad connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tamad avoids a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aurellius connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Tamad to the floor! Aurellius dives in looking for the finish!

It looks like Juan Tamad has been cut.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aurellius looks to land a strike but Tamad avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Tamad keeping moving, preventing Aurellius from controlling successfully.
Aurellius stopping the sweep attempt from Tamad.
Aurellius pushing down on Tamad's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Aurellius throwing shots but Tamad is blocking nicely.
Tamad has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Aurellius is working away from the top position though.
Aurellius thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Aurellius sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tamad defending well though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tamad is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tamad is looking for a sweep. Aurellius is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tamad is staying active underneath Aurellius, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tamad is controlling Aurellius's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Aurellius is controlling the pace.
Tamad works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aurellius lands a couple of digs.
Aurellius with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tamad bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aurellius's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Aurellius dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Juan Tamad's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tamad takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Aurellius scores with a push kick.
Tamad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Aurellius is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tamad can do to turn this around?
Aurellius fails with the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Tamad as Aurellius shoots in.
Good standup being displayed there by Tamad as he connects with a hook.
Juan Tamad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tamad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tamad uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aurellius.
Aurellius takes a jab right on the kisser.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aurellius misses with a body kick.
Tamad misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Aurellius counters with a head kick. That will keep Tamad thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Aurellius moves into range and clinches up with Tamad.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tamad swings wildly with an uppercut but Aurellius uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aurellius tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurellius lands an uppercut.
Aurellius working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tamad can't find room to land a body shot as Aurellius controls the action.
Aurellius has Tamad pressed against the cage.

Aurellius breaks from the clinch.
Tamad cracks the inside of Aurellius's front leg.
Aurellius with a nice cross.
Aurellius throws a body shot but no joy.
Aurellius throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Aurellius checks the leg kick nicely there.
Aurellius connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tamad on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Aurellius shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Aurellius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tamad is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aurellius lands a head kick!
Aurellius takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tamad digs a good body shot into Aurellius's ribs.
Tamad cracks Aurellius with a right hand to the side of the head.
Marcus Aurellius is winning the standup battle so far.

Aurellius tries to keep at a distance but Tamad has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tamad misses with a punch on the inside.
Tamad has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Aurellius is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tamad blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tamad letting Aurellius take a breather here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tamad goes for a takedown in the clinch but Aurellius prevents it.
Tamad blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurellius misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tamad tries to work over Aurellius's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Aurellius lands a shoulder strike.
Tamad blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Tamad.
Tamad tries to throw a body punch but Aurellius avoids it by throwing Tamad back against the cage.
Tamad is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Aurellius pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Aurellius lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aurellius.
A left hand lands to the body for Aurellius.
Tamad misses with a body punch.
Tamad doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Tamad fails to land.
Tamad is trying to break the clinch but Aurellius has him pressed against the cage.
Aurellius lands a left hand.
Aurellius tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Aurellius fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Aurellius.
Tamad misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Aurellius.
Aurellius doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Marcus Aurellius has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Aurellius lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tamad can't find room to land a body shot as Aurellius controls the action.
A short uppercut from Aurellius.
Tamad misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Aurellius.
Tamad is breathing heavily.
Aurellius misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tamad misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tamad's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tamad effectively controlling the action here.
Aurellius controlling the action here for a moment.
Aurellius lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Aurellius scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Aurellius.
Aurellius cracks Tamad with a nice body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Aurellius dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Juan Tamad's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A head kick misses from Aurellius.
Tamad cracks Aurellius with a right hand to the side of the head.
Aurellius tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aurellius avoids the body shot from Tamad.
Tamad tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aurellius was well out of range. Poor timing from Tamad.
Tamad avoids the head kick by Aurellius.
Tamad takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Aurellius throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aurellius throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tamad stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tamad works the jab nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aurellius ducks right into an uppercut from Tamad.
Tamad misses with an uppercut
and Aurellius counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tamad throws a body shot but no joy.
Aurellius scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tamad in his tracks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamad stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tamad wants it to stay on the feet.
Tamad looks to score with a jab to the body but Aurellius is just out of range.

Tamad clinches with his opponent.
Aurellius lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tamad.
Aurellius lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Aurellius lands a left hand.
Tamad is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Tamad.
Aurellius misses with the head strike.
Aurellius misses with a punch on the inside.
Aurellius throws a head punch that misses.
Tamad working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tamad is trying to maintain a safe position but Aurellius gets an underhook and turns Tamad into the cage.
Tamad gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aurellius.
Tamad lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tamad swings wildly with an uppercut but Aurellius uses good head movement to avoid it.
A hook to the body from Tamad.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tamad blocks an uppercut.
Tamad prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Aurellius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tamad tries for a takedown but Aurellius manages to get underhooks.
Tamad tries to throw a body punch but Aurellius avoids it by throwing Tamad back against the cage.
Tamad blocks an uppercut.
Tamad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tamad lands a shoulder strike.

Tamad breaks from the clinch.
Tamad looks for the body kick but Aurellius saw that one coming.
Tamad lands with a right hand.
A swing and a miss from Tamad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tamad smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tamad chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Aurellius can pounce on him.
Aurellius ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Aurellius moves out of range of the strikes.
Aurellius uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tamad.
Tamad moves out of range of the strikes.
Aurellius takes one on the button.
Tamad on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tamad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aurellius moves out of range as Tamad strikes.
Aurellius goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Aurellius checks a leg kick.
Tamad shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tamad pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Juan Tamad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tamad takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tamad throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Aurellius stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aurellius misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And Tamad tries to counter it with a takedown but Aurellius pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Aurellius cracks Tamad with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Tamad throws a hook but Aurellius avoids it easily.
Tamad walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Aurellius checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Aurellius doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Marcus Aurellius is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tamad throws a lazy uppercut
and Aurellius makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Aurellius gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tamad tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Aurellius's elbow.
Tamad blocks a body shot from Aurellius.
Tamad misses with the head strike.
Aurellius pushes Tamad back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aurellius prevents a body shot from Tamad.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Marcus Aurellius.
Well Aurellius 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Aurellius!
A less than humble Marcus Aurellius misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.