PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Santiago Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khom Maruban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khom Maruban is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Armstrong
vs
Maruban

217 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
24
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Santiago Armstrong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Khom Maruban!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Skip Squint and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maruban slips a jab and a cross from Armstrong.

Maruban drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Maruban stopping the sweep attempt from Armstrong.
Armstrong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maruban manages to get himself to full guard.

Armstrong working some strikes from top position.
Maruban striking off his back.
Armstrong will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Armstrong lands a couple of digs.
Maruban controls Armstrong momentarily but Armstrong frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maruban wants to sweep here but Armstrong controlling him for the moment.
Maruban looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong scoring with some ground and pound.
Armstrong content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Armstrong postures up and lands a big shot to Maruban's brow.
Armstrong stands up over Maruban, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Maruban controlling the position.
Armstrong landing some decent shots from guard.
Armstrong scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Maruban wants to stand but Armstrong is controlling the position.
Armstrong working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Armstrong throws a big right hand that misses.
Armstrong chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong working some strikes from top position.
Armstrong content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Armstrong scoring with punches to the head and body.
Armstrong working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maruban's head.
Armstrong makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Maruban looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Armstrong passes into side control.
Maruban looks winded!
Armstrong working the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Armstrong lands some shots froms side control.
Armstrong really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Armstrong tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Armstrong has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Armstrong working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Armstrong looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Armstrong tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Armstrong is working Maruban over with some ground and pound from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Armstrong grinds an elbow into Maruban's temple.
Armstrong landing strikes.
Armstrong lands an elbow.
Maruban takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Maruban is trying to control Armstrong's posture but Armstrong avoids it.
Armstrong controlling the position.
Maruban can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Armstrong lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Maruban down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santiago Armstrong dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Armstrong gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Maruban is standing up over Armstrong. Armstrong looks to escape but Maruban dives into side control.

Maruban stands up and beckons Armstrong to his feet.
Armstrong throws a series of strikes that have Maruban backpedaling.
Maruban tries to clinch there but Armstrong circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maruban tries to clinch but Armstrong is having none of it.
Armstrong blocks a head kick by Maruban.
Khom Maruban seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Maruban closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Armstrong's guard.

Armstrong is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Maruban is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Armstrong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Armstrong gets caught flat footed, as Maruban shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Armstrong trying to keep a closed guard but Maruban is proving a slippery customer.
Armstrong lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Armstrong distracts Maruban with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Armstrong is working Maruban over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Maruban bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Armstrong's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maruban is one step ahead there.
Armstrong wants to get back to his feet but Maruban is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Maruban trying to control the position from guard on top but Armstrong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Armstrong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maruban is one step ahead there.
Maruban trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maruban stopping the sweep attempt from Armstrong.
Armstrong keeping moving, preventing Maruban from controlling successfully.
Armstrong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Armstrong has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Armstrong is on top in guard.

Armstrong scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Armstrong makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Armstrong keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Maruban's head.
Armstrong lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Armstrong is in close to Maruban's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong cracks Maruban with a solid left hand.
Armstrong scoring with some ground and pound.
Armstrong lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Armstrong scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Maruban looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Armstrong scoring with punches to the head and body.
Armstrong working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Armstrong cracks Maruban with a solid left hand.
Armstrong stops Maruban from standing up.
Armstrong scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santiago Armstrong dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Armstrong fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maruban, pushing him back against the cage.
Armstrong tries to work over Maruban's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Maruban has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Armstrong uses from the top position.
Armstrong distracts Maruban with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Armstrong works over Maruban with some ground and pound from guard.
Armstrong lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Armstrong lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Armstrong scoring with punches to the head and body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maruban is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Armstrong is working Maruban over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Armstrong with a nice head shot there.
Maruban takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong scoring with some ground and pound.
Armstrong connects with a couple of short punches.

Armstrong stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Armstrong with a nice cross.

Armstrong moves into range and clinches up with Maruban.
Armstrong can't break the clinch.
Armstrong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Armstrong wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Armstrong breaks the clinch.
Armstrong circles away from the clinch attempt.

Armstrong tries to sprawl but Maruban drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Armstrong slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong looking to control.
Armstrong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Maruban prevents Armstrong from getting back to his feet.
Armstrong controls Maruban momentarily but Maruban frees himself.
Armstrong wants to sweep here but Maruban controlling him for the moment.
Armstrong lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maruban trying to control the position.
Maruban wants to stand and escape but Armstrong is having none of it.
Armstrong stands up over Maruban, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Armstrong working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maruban's head.
Armstrong distracts Maruban with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Maruban looking to control.
Armstrong scoring with punches to the head and body.
Maruban has momentary wrist control but Armstrong slips an elbow through the middle.
Maruban working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Armstrong's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Armstrong working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maruban's head.
Maruban has momentary wrist control but Armstrong slips an elbow through the middle.
Armstrong keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Maruban's head.
Santiago Armstrong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Armstrong lands a couple of digs.
Armstrong working some strikes from top position.
Armstrong with a nice head shot there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Armstrong is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Armstrong lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Khom Maruban has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santiago Armstrong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Armstrong is working Maruban over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santiago Armstrong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Armstrong 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 John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santiago Armstrong!