PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Evan Better (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mason Marshall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Better might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Mother by Danzig. Evan Better is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Better
vs
Marshall

188 cm
30
181 lbs
18 - 16 - 0

177 cm
28
180 lbs
13 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evan Better!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mason Marshall!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Better has a takedown stuffed.
Marshall missing with a left hand there. Better was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Marshall misses with a straight right.
Better tries to counter by clinching up but Marshall breaks away and moves out of range.
Marshall throws a hook but Better blocks it.
Better misses the shot to the body.
Marshall stuffs the takedown attempt from Better. Better gets slowly back to his feet.
Better misses with a head kick.
Better throws a leg kick that misses.
Better throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Better walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Marshall checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Marshall swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Better misses with a low kick.
Marshall is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Better feints a jab promting Marshall to slip. Better then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Marshall slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Marshall swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Marshall throws a body shot but no joy.
A slow jab from Marshall misses its intended target.
Better slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Better uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marshall.
Better feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Marshall uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Better.
Better fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Better misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Marshall with the counter takedown but Better avoids it easily.
Marshall digs a good hook to Better's body.
Marshall swats away the attempt to clinch by Better.
Better misses with a looping left.
Better digs a good body shot into Marshall's ribs.
Better looks to score with a jab to the body but Marshall is just out of range.
Marshall ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Better moves away.
We've been informed that Marshall has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A slow jab from Marshall misses its intended target.
Marshall is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Marshall scores with a jab.
Better scores with the left hand. Marshall knows he should have avoided that one.
Better lands with a good body shot.
Marshall rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Better moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marshall throws a jab when Better was well out of range.
Better throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Better throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Marshall.
Better moves out of range of the strikes.
Better misses with an uppercut

and Marshall counters with a single leg into guard. Better didn't expect that.
Marshall throws a big elbow that misses.
Marshall working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Marshall in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marshall postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Marshall won't allow Better to sweep him here.

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

Marshall utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall is adopting a defensive guard.
Better landing with the ground and pound.
Better is working Marshall over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Better trying to control the position from guard on top but Marshall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Better is pushing down on Marshall's leg trying to pass to half guard. Marshall is fighting to maintain full guard but Better has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Marshall is trying to control but can't.
Marshall controlling the position for now.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Better is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Better looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Marshall trying to hold on to Better's head to control him but Better postures up.
Better trying to control from Marshall's half guard. Marshall has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Better won't allow Marshall to sweep him here.
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 Evan Better will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Marshall misses with a straight right.
Better wants to slow Marshall down by chopping away at his legs.
Marshall's jab looks to have found its range, popping Better under the eye.
Marshall connects with a jab.
Marshall waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Better.
Better slips a jab from Marshall.
Marshall swings for the body but Better moves out of range.
Marshall bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Marshall uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Better.
Better uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marshall.
Marshall's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Better connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Marshall scrambles back to his feet.
Better pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And Marshall tries to counter it with a takedown but Better pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marshall scores with a body shot.
Mason Marshall seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Better misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Marshall.
Better lunges at Marshall with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Marshall's hand.
Better looks for the body kick but Marshall saw that one coming.
Evan Better seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Better lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Better slips a straight right by Marshall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Better lands with an uppercut that bounces Marshall off the cage and back into range.
Marshall throws a hook but Better avoids it easily.
Marshall slips a straight right by Better.
Marshall misses the shot to the body.
Marshall ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Better moves away.
Marshall stuns Better with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Better looks for a takedown but Marshall sprawls well.
Better with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Better misses the shot to the body.
Better fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Marshall feints the counter takedown.
Marshall connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Marshall takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Better defending well as Marshall loads up on a big left hand.
Better throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marshall throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Better just misses with a punch to the body.
Better fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Better slips a jab from Marshall.
Marshall throws a jab but it's blocked by Better.
Better is looking to counter the offense by Marshall and move into the clinch.
Marshall checks the leg kick nicely there.
Marshall tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Better was well out of range. Poor timing from Marshall.
Marshall lands a jab to Better's midsection.
Marshall takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Marshall staying out of range there.
Marshall takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Better keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Better throws a solid leg kick but Marshall takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Better.
Marshall with a hook.
Marshall loads up on a big right hand but Better slips the punch.
A jab from Marshall misses.
Better wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Marshall slips a straight right by Better.
Marshall throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Marshall.
A swing and a miss from Marshall.
Better moves out of range of the strikes.
Better drops down looking for a counter takedown but Marshall sprawls and moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Marshall misses the target.
Marshall blocks a head kick by Better.
Better will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Better lands a really nice looking cross but Marshall seems unphased.
Better catches Marshall with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The fighters circling - Marshall throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Better throws a low kick but Marshall moves out of range easily.
Marshall avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Marshall lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Marshall moves forwards but Better connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Marshall throws a jab but it's blocked by Better.
Marshall throws a hook but Better avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Better pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That kick from Better tenderised Marshall's leg. Marshall is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Better misses the shot to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Better.
Marshall catches Better with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Better throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Better lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A good leg kick by Better.
A jab from Better finds it's way through Marshall's defenses.
Better feints and then cracks Marshall's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Marshall down.
Better ducks under a wild hook from Marshall.
Marshall throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Better is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Marshall swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Marshall bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Better's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Better lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Marshall circles away quickly and effectively.
Marshall throws a jab when Better was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Evan Better will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Better closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Marshall tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Better was well out of range. Poor timing from Marshall.
Marshall takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Marshall uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Better.
Better changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Marshall paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Marshall throws a big shot that misses.

Marshall closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Better is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Bi-Polar Asylum LV's #1 Public Training Center , so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Mason Marshall has got the better of the ground game so far.
Marshall missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Marshall is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Better wants to control but Marshall is keeping busy.
Marshall missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Marshall misses with a head shot. Better uses the momentum to regain guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marshall throws an elbow that misses. Better uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Marshall's guard. Nice move by Better!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Better pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marshall is keeping the position for now.
Better distracts Marshall with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Better trying to control but Marshall is working from the bottom.
Better throws a big right hand that misses.
Better throwing strikes from guard but Marshall blocks nicely.
Better will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Marshall looking for a sweep. Not yet Marshall, not yet.

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.
Better loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Better missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Better trying to control but Marshall is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mason Marshall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marshall is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Marshall misses with a body shot.
Better pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Better misses with the combination.
Marshall checks a leg kick.
Marshall scores with a body shot.
Marshall takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Marshall misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Better.
A looping hook to the body misses from Better. Marshall does a little dance to reset his feet.
Marshall drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Better defends it well.
Marshall fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The fighters circling - Better throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Marshall tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Better was well out of range. Poor timing from Marshall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Better connects with a nice looking jab.
Marshall throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Better sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Marshall moves forwards but Better connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marshall works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Evan Better is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Better bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Marshall misses with a straight right.
Marshall waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Better.
Better clobbers Marshall with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Marshall tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Better was well out of range. Poor timing from Marshall.
Better thumps Marshall with a low kick.
The crowd cheers as Better lands an impressive looking overhand right. Marshall doesn't seem phased though.
Marshall stuns Better with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Marshall throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Better throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Marshall rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Better moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mason Marshall.
I think Better has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Better!
A relieved looking Evan Better thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.