PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrew West (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Marcus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). West comes to the cage accompanied by Roy Jones - Can't be touched. Simon Marcus has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

West
vs
Marcus

180 cm
27
179 lbs
19 - 15 - 0

180 cm
26
180 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

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 19 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrew West!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Simon Marcus!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marcus shoots in looking for a takedown but West manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Marcus's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Marcus tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but West defends well and Marcus ends up having to push West into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Marcus tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Marcus looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
West stuffs the takedown.
West throws a big counter combination but Marcus scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Andrew West has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simon Marcus.
Danga de danga de dang - West scores with a four punch combination!
Marcus wants to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from West misses the target.
West throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Marcus.
Marcus changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Sloppy strikes from West. Those never looked like landing.
West throws a right and a left that Marcus avoids nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
West throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Marcus.
A combination from West does no damage.
A big right from West misses.
Marcus feints the counter takedown.
Andrew West seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
West takes a swing at Marcus's ribcage but misses.
Marcus shoots in and drives through. West sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marcus moves away.
Marcus changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Marcus dodges the punch combination from West.
Andrew West is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
West moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
West stuffs the takedown.
Good shot there by West.
West's jab looks to have found its range, popping Marcus under the eye.
Marcus shoots in for a double leg but West sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
West lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by West.
Marcus shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
West swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Marcus closes this distance looking for a takedown but West circles away.
Marcus swings for the body but West moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A combination from West does no damage.
Marcus feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marcus.
West misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Marcus looks like he wants to counter punch here.
West takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
West throws a right hand that Marcus ducks under and follows up with a left that Marcus also avoids with ease.
West lands a nice shot that snaps Marcus's head back.
West stuffs the takedown attempt from Marcus. Marcus gets slowly back to his feet.
West fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Marcus.
West cracks Marcus with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Marcus tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but West swivels and escapes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marcus.
Marcus takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West misses with a jab, cross combination.
West fails to land with a series of punches.
West with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Marcus tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but West defends well and Marcus ends up having to push West into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
West misses with a jab, cross combination.
Marcus uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from West.
West throws a right and a left that both miss.
Marcus slips a jab and a cross from West.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Marcus.

Marcus goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, West has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Marcus but great work by West.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marcus is not content to let West control the position.
Marcus is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West working Marcus over with strikes.
West knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Marcus on the ground.
West missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Marcus gets full guard.
Marcus manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. West manages to get himself to full guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now West is on top in guard.

Marcus looking to hit a scissor sweep but West is one step ahead there.
We've been hearing good reports from West's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
West throws a big elbow that misses.
West wants to control from the top but Marcus keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew West dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

West rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Marcus moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
West scores with a jab.
West displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Marcus.
West fails to land with a series of punches.
Marcus with the counter takedown but West avoids it easily.
Marcus shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with West but West pushes him off and we're back to square one.
West leaves Marcus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Andrew West has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simon Marcus.
West will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
West sets himself, and Marcus steps forward looking for the clinch! West avoids it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
West throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Marcus connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
West is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marcus can do to turn this around?
Marcus dives in and grabs West's left leg, looking for a takedown. West pushes down on Marcus's head and hops out.
West throws a one two combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West misses with a few strikes there.
West thumps Marcus with a low kick.
West throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Marcus.
Marcus avoids the body shot from West.
Marcus dives in and grabs West's left leg, looking for a takedown. West pushes down on Marcus's head and hops out.
Marcus tries to clinch but West is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
West goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Good leg kick by West there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
West throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Marcus counter with a right hand.

It looks like Andrew West has been cut.
Horrible takedown attempt by Marcus or perhaps it was just good defense by West, which made it look bad.
West throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
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!
West missing with a left hand there. Marcus was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
West sets himself, and Marcus steps forward looking for the clinch! West avoids it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West misses with a wild combination.
Marcus steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from West.
West scores with a nice strike.
West misses with a double jab.

Marcus shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Marcus showed some decent athleticism there.

West manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Marcus keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Marcus has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by West after a bit of a struggle.
Marcus goes for a takedown attempt but West pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
West swinging wildly here.
Andrew West is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from West.
No joy there for West, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Good leg kick by West there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
West scores with a three punch combo!
West dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Marcus as he connects with a hook.
West misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
West scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
West throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch combination from West misses.
Marcus tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but West was well out of range. Poor timing from Marcus.
West blocks a jab.
It looked like West wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marcus dodges the punch combination from West.
Marcus dives in for a single leg takedown but West sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
West swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
West falls off balance throwing a combination

and Marcus counters with a shoot takedown. West fights it but they end up in guard.

West has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Marcus has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Marcus drops down looking for an ankle pick but West pulls his leg out and moves away.
West misses with a wild combination.
Some wild striking there from West.
West moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew West dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Andrew West's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

West catches Marcus with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
West throws a nice looking combination but Marcus bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Marcus with the counter takedown but West avoids it easily.
Marcus looks for a takedown but West sprawls well.
Decent striking displayed by West there.
West lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
West throws a big shot that misses.
West connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marcus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as West throws out the jab.
Marcus changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
West moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
West lands with an uppercut that bounces Marcus off the cage and back into range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marcus shoots in looking for a takedown but West manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Marcus's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As Marcus looks to move away, West throws a big counter combo but Marcus just gets out of the way.
West looks to land a combination but Marcus avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice sprawl there from West as Marcus shoots in.
Andrew West has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simon Marcus.
Marcus jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Marcus has his takedown stuffed
and West counters with a left and a right that stings Marcus.
Marcus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
West connects with a leg kick. Marcus looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
West stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and West wants it to stay on the feet.
Marcus takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Marcus fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from West.
Marcus misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Marcus eats them both and turns towards West to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
West lands a two punch combo.
Some wild striking there from West.
West thows a left - swing and a miss!
West throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Marcus shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts West as he jumps to the side.
West scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Marcus shoots in but West avoids the takedown attempt easily.
West throws a big counter combination but Marcus scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marcus.
A combination from West does no damage.
Marcus has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
West throws a right and a left that both miss.
West misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A slapping leg kick lands for West.
West ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Andrew West is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
West will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Marcus slips a jab and a cross from West.
Marcus throws out a loose jab but West uses good head movement to avoid it.
West scores with a one two! Marcus had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
West looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Marcus's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marcus looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? West is fending him off so far but Marcus persists. Nope, West circles away and we're back to standing.
West scores with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Marcus gets a double leg takedown into West's guard.
Marcus chips away with some ground and pound.
West can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Marcus controls the pace.
West trying to control the position.
West tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Marcus wants to control from the top but West keeps moving.
West wants to stand and escape but Marcus is having none of it.
Simon Marcus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andrew West is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Marcus connects with a couple of short punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew West showed his dominance in that final round.
Well West 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew West!
In his post fight interview, Andrew West started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.