PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marin Averescu (ranked 7528 p4p, 545 weight class) and Jordan Dahl (ranked 4093 p4p, 390 weight class). Jordan Dahl acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Averescu
vs
Dahl

174 cm
22
162 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

173 cm
24
165 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marin Averescu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jordan Dahl!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Paul Gruel and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Averescu throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Dahl tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Averescu is in Dahl's guard.

Averescu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dahl has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Averescu has managed to get both his arms back between Dahl's legs - danger averted.
Averescu has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Dahl is proving hard to escape from.
Averescu's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Dahl controls Averescu momentarily but Averescu frees himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dahl is on top in guard.

Dahl stopping the sweep attempt from Averescu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Averescu seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Averescu keeping moving, preventing Dahl from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dahl pushing down on Averescu's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Dahl is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Averescu reverses the position - he's now on top in Dahl's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Averescu engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Dahl looking for a sweep. Not yet Dahl, not yet.
Dahl keeps trying to improve his position.

Dahl is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Averescu defends well.
Averescu controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Averescu gets to his feet - Dahl follows without any prompting.
Averescu darts in looking for a takedown but Dahl gets double underhooks and turns Averescu into the cage.

Averescu closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Averescu lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dahl can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Averescu controls the pace.

Dahl has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Averescu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Averescu preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dahl working a defensive guard but Averescu manages to pass into side control anyway.
Dahl is looking for a sweep.
Dahl looks to move to half guard but instead Averescu has passed into mount! Damn!
Averescu controlling his opponent.
Averescu prevents Dahl from getting the reversal.
Dahl sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Dahl is trying to control but Averescu manages to pass to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Averescu content just to control the position here.
Dahl is looking to get to half guard.
Averescu controlling the position easily from mount.
Averescu tries to control but Dahl wriggling away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dahl tries to hold on but Averescu postures up.
Averescu controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marin Averescu dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Averescu shoots for a double leg takedown but Dahl sprawls well. He's pushed Averescu's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Dahl enables Averescu to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Dahl manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Averescu is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Dahl has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Averescu is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Dahl.
Averescu in side control, just content to control the action for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Averescu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Averescu decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Averescu misses with a combination
and Dahl counters with a left and a right that stings Averescu.

Averescu shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Averescu was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Dahl tries to bench press Averescu off him but Averescu keeps the position.
Dahl is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Averescu is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Averescu prevents Dahl from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Averescu controlling from mount.
Averescu can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dahl is looking to escape.
Dahl tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dahl slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Dahl moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dahl is trying to control the position but Averescu postures up.
Dahl is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Averescu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Averescu not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Dahl is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Averescu defends well.

Dahl looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Marin Averescu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Averescu seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Dahl tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four 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.

Dahl is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Averescu is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Averescu drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Dahl is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Averescu is looking to take a break and control but Dahl is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dahl wants to control but Averescu postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marin Averescu dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Averescu dives in and scores a takedown into Dahl's guard.
Averescu controls from within his opponent's guard.
Averescu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dahl can do to turn this around?
Averescu trying to control the position from guard on top but Dahl is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Averescu passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Dahl is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Dahl's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Dahl is trying to escape the position but Averescu is controlling the position.
Dahl is looking for a sweep.
Dahl is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Averescu off and has taken his back!

Dahl looking to break Averescu's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Averescu remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Dahl will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
I really don't envy Averescu right now.
Averescu rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dahl trying to advance position but Averescu counters by regaining guard.
Dahl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Averescu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dahl wants to control from the top but Averescu keeps moving.
Averescu is trying to hold Dahl in close to prevent damage but Dahl has managed to pass into half guard.
Dahl is pressing down on Averescu's thigh, looking to free his foot. Averescu is holding on for now.

Dahl wants to work for an arm triangle but Averescu is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Averescu is trying to stand.
Dahl wants to lay and pray for a moment but Averescu keeps working.
Averescu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dahl is working away from the top position though.
Averescu tries to roll over but Dahl keeps him under control.
Dahl stops Averescu from getting back to his feet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dahl trying to control from Averescu's half guard. Averescu has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Dahl trying to control the position from guard on top but Averescu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Averescu is trying to control the position but Dahl postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jordan Dahl has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marin Averescu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Dahl gets caught flat footed, as Averescu shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Dahl is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Averescu defends well.
Averescu stays in close to Dahl's body and controls the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Marin Averescu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Averescu, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marin Averescu!