PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Toby Marsh (ranked 4249 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yandar Bataev (ranked 4259 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Marsh
vs
Bataev

172 cm
24
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

183 cm
23
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Tends to cut

Taps On The Island

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Toby Marsh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yandar Bataev!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marsh doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bataev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Marsh tries to pull guard but Bataev holds him up against the cage and eventually Marsh drops back down to his feet.
Marsh could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Marsh stalling in the clinch.
Marsh blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bataev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Marsh is trying to drag Bataev to the mat but Bataev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Toby Marsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Marsh gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Bataev regains guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marsh trying to control but Bataev is working from the bottom.
Bataev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsh throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Bataev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bataev keeping moving, preventing Marsh from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bataev wants to sweep but no luck.
Bataev is still trying to improve position.
Marsh is in close to Bataev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Marsh lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Marsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Bataev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marsh being controlled here momentarily.
Bataev keeping moving, preventing Marsh from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Marsh passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The strikes coming from Marsh are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bataev is trying to control Marsh's posture but Marsh avoids it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bataev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bataev is looking for a sweep.
Marsh working away.
Marsh is looking to take a break and control but Bataev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown but Bataev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bataev misses with a two punch combination.
Bataev dives in and grabs Marsh's left leg, looking for a takedown. Marsh pushes down on Bataev's head and hops out.
Bataev swats away the attempt to clinch by Marsh.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bataev moves into the clinch.

Marsh has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Bataev uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marsh is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Bataev rolls with it to try and escape but Marsh cranks on the arm and Bataev is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Toby Marsh!