PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Earle Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khom Maruban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gardner
vs
Maruban

189 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
24
195 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
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, Earle Gardner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Khom Maruban!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Topper Green and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maruban is looking to clinch.

Maruban scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Gardner has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Maruban is on him like a limpet, forcing Gardner back against the cage.

Gardner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gardner shoots in for a takedown but Maruban shows good takedown defense.
Gardner misses with a takedown attempt
and Maruban counters with a series of strikes. Gardner will be more careful next time no doubt.
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!
Gardner darts in looking for a takedown but Maruban gets double underhooks and turns Gardner into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Earle Gardner. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gardner shoots in and gets a takedown into Maruban's guard.
Maruban pulls Gardner in close to prevent any damage.

Maruban looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Maruban trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maruban with a nice head shot there.
Maruban sitting in guard here, content to control.
Maruban with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maruban trying to control but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Maruban slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gardner trying to control the position.
Maruban wants to control from the top but Gardner keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner has his hands on Maruban's head, controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Maruban shoots in and gets a takedown into Gardner's guard.
Gardner keeping moving, preventing Maruban from controlling successfully.

Gardner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maruban doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maruban manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maruban preventing the sweep.
Maruban throws a strike but Gardner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Maruban wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maruban is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Khom Maruban will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gardner swinging wildly here.

Gardner has managed to clinch.
Gardner is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Maruban is trying to break the clinch but Gardner has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardner can't get the takedown.
Maruban stops a takedown attempt from Gardner.
Gardner is looking to control Maruban's arms but Maruban gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gardner has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Marubans head.
Gardner is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Maruban gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Earle Gardner. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gardner breaks the clinch.
Gardner avoids the body shot from Maruban.
Maruban throws a series of punches but Gardner avoids them all with ease.
It looked like Gardner was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Gardner shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Maruban moves into range and clinches up with Gardner.

Maruban manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Maruban throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gardner drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Maruban dives on top into guard.

Khom Maruban has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maruban trying to control but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Maruban in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gardner looking to control.
Maruban with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maruban trying to control but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Maruban has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maruban throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maruban keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gardner's head.
Maruban is looking to work some ground and pound but Gardner has wrist control.
Maruban in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Maruban looking to sit in guard and control but Gardner gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gardner prevents Maruban from getting back to his feet.
Gardner throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maruban keeping moving, preventing Gardner from controlling successfully.
Gardner missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Maruban shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Maruban drops an elbow to the side of Gardner's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maruban is thwarting Gardner's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khom Maruban showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Gardner pushes Maruban away with a front kick.
Maruban wants to clinch.

Gardner gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maruban lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maruban connects with a couple of short punches.
Maruban tries to stand but Gardner is controlling from the bottom.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Maruban. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Gardner being controlled here, momentarily.
Gardner pulls Maruban in close to prevent any damage.
Gardner has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gardner being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
No luck for Gardner with that takedown attempt.
Maruban pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gardner lands a front kick.

Maruban gets caught napping as Gardner dives in and scores a takedown. Maruban manages to retain guard.
Maruban takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gardner trying to control the position from guard on top but Maruban is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maruban has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Maruban pulls Gardner in close to his closed guard and prevents Gardner from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maruban 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 has clasped his hands together around Gardner's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Gardner throws Maruban to one side and escapes!

Maruban closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Maruban lands in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maruban postures up in Gardner's guard and throws a big left but Gardner blocks it.
Maruban is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Maruban wants to stand but Gardner is controlling his posture from full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maruban trying to control the position from guard on top but Gardner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Khom Maruban.
I've got Maruban winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:30
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khom Maruban!