PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eliah Marshal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marshal comes to the cage accompanied by "Straight Outta Compton" by NWA. Stark has chosen Sledgehammer! as his entrance music. Eliah Marshal could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Steven Stark's chin.

Marshal
vs
Stark

179 cm
35
155 lbs
37 - 16 - 0

172 cm
34
156 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Vikai Gear

Anarchy Clothing & Laundry

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 37 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eliah Marshal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steven Stark!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Chris Saunders and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crunch! Stark slams his shin into Marshal's torso.
Stark avoids the head kick by Marshal.
A punch lands to the side of Stark 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stark tries to bum rush Marshal with a series of wild strikes but Marshal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stark misses the shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Stark.
A big right from Stark misses.
Stark pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stark keeps the fight on the outside.
Stark scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Marshal has taken the fight to the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Marshal fails to land.
Nice body punch from Stark.
Marshal tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Our sources have told us that Marshal has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Stark tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stark wants to take the fight to the mat but Marshal manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Stark goes for a takedown in the clinch but Marshal prevents it.
Marshal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
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!
A shot in the inside from Marshal.
Stark throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Marshals head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Marshal.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Marshal creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Marshal is looking to control Stark's arms but Stark gets an underhook and turns him. Now Marshal has his back to the cage.
Stark taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Marshal blocks a body shot from Stark.
Marshal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stark lands an elbow inside that Marshal shrugs off.

It looks like Eliah Marshal has been cut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stark.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Marshal obliges.
Marshal softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Stark takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Steven Stark has been cut.
Marshal pushes Stark back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Stark scores with a nice short uppercut.
Marshal blocking some punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stark wants a takedown.
Eliah Marshal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Stark.
Stark tries to throw a body punch but Marshal avoids it by throwing Stark back against the cage.
Stark goes for a takedown attempt but Marshal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Stark lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Stark 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Marshal cracks Stark with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Stark drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Eliah Marshal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marshal misses with a hook.
Stark loads up on a big right hand but Marshal slips the punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Marshal looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Marshal throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stark looks to score with a jab to the body but Marshal is just out of range.
Stark misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Marshal appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Marshal lands a body shot.
Stark looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Marshal is fending him off so far but Stark persists. Nope, Marshal circles away and we're back to standing.
Marshal moves out of range of the strikes.
Stark misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Good standup being displayed there by Marshal as he connects with a hook.
A head kick misses from Marshal.

Stark looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Marshal!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark wants to control but Marshal is keeping him busy.
Stark might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Marshal haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Stark throwing strikes but Marshal manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Stark has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Marshal moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Marshal has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Stark tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Marshal working away.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eliah Marshal dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stark jabs Marshal right on the nose. Marshal blinks but takes it well.
Marshal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nice defenses there by Stark.
Marshal cracks Stark with a good jab.

Marshal tries to sprawl but Stark drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Marshal kicks Stark off and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stark misses with a body shot.
Stark misses with a looping right.
Stark misses with a head kick.
Stark uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Marshal.
Stark swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Good leg kick by Marshal there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Stark walks into a jab.
Marshal ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Marshal feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stark's calf.
Stark will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Stark swings for the body but Marshal moves out of range.
Marshal tries to clinch but Stark moves out of range.
Stark getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshal moves in looking to clinch but Stark pushes him off.
Stark looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Eliah Marshal is winning the standup battle so far.
Marshal throws a body punch but Stark moves out of range.
Stark shapes to counter with a head kick.
Marshal lands a jab to the head.
Stark misses with a wild body shot.
Marshal ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Stark drives through with a takedown into guard.
Marshal keeping moving, preventing Stark from controlling successfully.
Marshal wants to get back to his feet but Stark is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
My spies in [LOD]Berlin Giants inform me that Stark has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stark missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshal keeping moving, preventing Stark from controlling successfully.
Stark stays in close to Marshal's body and controls the position.
Marshal not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stark preventing the sweep.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stark looks for a takedown but Marshal sprawls well.
A quick step to the side and Marshal tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Marshal lunges at Stark with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Stark's hand.
Nice shot lands for Stark.
Stark throws a head kick but Marshal moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stark uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Marshal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stark.
Marshal lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Marshal misses with a leg kick.
Stark tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Stark scores with a body shot.
Marshal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Marshal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Marshal closes the distance and clinches.
Stark wants a takedown.
Stark swings wildly with an uppercut but Marshal uses good head movement to avoid it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short right from Stark.
Marshal presses Stark against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Marshal slowing the pace effectively.
Stark tries to score a body lock takedown but Marshal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Eliah Marshal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Stark.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Marshal.
Stark creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Marshal's defenses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A right handed body shot lands from Stark.
Marshal lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Stark lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Stark lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Marshal lands an elbow inside that Stark shrugs off.
Stark throws a punch but it's blocked by Marshal.
Stark tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Marshal misses with an elbow over the top.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stark.
Marshal tries a body shot but Stark blocks it.
Stark swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short left from Marshal.
Marshal is pressed up against the cage. Stark has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Marshal down to the mat. Marshal avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Stark connects with the punch.
Stark pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stark avoids the head kick by Marshal.
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 Eliah Marshal will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Marshal. No joy for Stark on that attempt.
Marshal throwing a counter right hand but Stark manages to avoid it.
Stark swats away the attempt to clinch by Marshal.
Stark looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Stark misses the shot to the body.
Marshal defending well as Stark loads up on a big left hand.
Marshal tried to counter with a leg kick but Stark avoided it.
Stark is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Marshal.
Marshal ducks under a wild hook from Stark.
Marshal throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stark on the side of the head.
Stark swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stark moves out of range of the strikes.
Good exchange - Marshal coming out on top.
Stark uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marshal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marshal cracks Stark with an open hand slap.
Marshal moves in looking to clinch but Stark pushes him off.
Marshal avoids a punch combination nicely.
Marshal lands a lovely overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Marshal fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Stark shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Marshal as he jumps to the side.
No joy there for Marshal, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stark misses with an uppercut. Marshal saw that one coming.
A clash of legs there as Stark blocks the low kick.
Marshal takes a swing at Stark's ribcage but misses.
A head kick misses from Stark.
Marshal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stark closes this distance looking for a takedown but Marshal circles away.
Eliah Marshal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Stark.
Marshal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stark uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marshal.
Marshal throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stark stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Marshal fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Marshal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stark was well out of range. Poor timing from Marshal.
Marshal scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stark in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Stark looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Stark takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stark throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Marshal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Marshal looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stark is one step ahead there.
Stark tries to free his leg and advance position but Marshal is retaining full guard.
Marshal wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Marshal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Steven Stark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eliah Marshal is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Marshal working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stark.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Marshal connects with a looping right hand.
Marshal walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stark checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A head kick misses from Marshal.
A telegraphed right hand from Marshal misses the target.
Marshal moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromStark.
Stark dives in and grabs Marshal's left leg, looking for a takedown. Marshal pushes down on Stark's head and hops out.
Stark shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Marshal as he avoids it easily.
It looked like Marshal was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Stark.
Some bone on bone action there as Stark checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Marshal swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Marshal jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stark scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Marshal is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stark can do to turn this around?
Stark keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Marshal misses with a straight left.
A little jabbing left from Stark on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Marshal misses with an uppercut.
Stark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stark throws a head kick but Marshal moves out of range.
Marshal looks to land a right hand but Stark moved out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Stark misses the target.
Marshal takes a head kick and keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marshal throws a big shot that misses.
Nice body punch from Marshal.
Marshal throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Stark.
Marshal is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Marshal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Marshal tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Marshal comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Stark scores with the left hand. Marshal knows he should have avoided that one.
Marshal throws out a powerful jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eliah Marshal showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Marshal 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eliah Marshal!
Eliah Marshal decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.