PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ariel Schroder (ranked 6310 p4p, 378 weight class) and James Marshall (ranked 3736 p4p, 280 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Schroder
vs
Marshall

170 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ariel Schroder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James Marshall!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Micheangelo Fripello and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marshall tries for a takedown but Schroder sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
It looked like Schroder wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Schroder stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Schroder wants it to stay on the feet.
Marshall has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Schroder is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Schroder shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Marshall's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Marshall has his foot on Schroder's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Schroder works his way back into a safe position though.

Marshall working for a triangle but Schroder defends it easily.
Schroder tries to free his leg and advance position but Marshall is retaining full guard.

Marshall looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Marshall working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Schroder doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Schroder manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Schroder got a little sloppy there for a moment and Marshall has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Schroder has managed to get both his arms back between Marshall's legs - danger averted.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall keeping moving, preventing Schroder from controlling successfully.
Schroder trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Marshall working for a triangle but Schroder defends it easily.

Marshall working for a triangle but Schroder defends it easily.
Schroder wants to stand but Marshall has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Marshall utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Marshall looking for subs off his back but Schroder has passed one foot through into half guard.
Marshall is looking to improve his position.

Marshall looking for submissions off his back.
Marshall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Marshall with the active half guard here but Schroder passes nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schroder working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Marshall is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Schroder working the ground and pound but Marshall is defending the strikes.
Marshall looks to move to half guard but instead Schroder has passed into mount! Damn!
Marshall regains half guard.

Marshall actively working from the bottom here.

Marshall looking for submissions off his back.

Marshall is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Schroder pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marshall looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Schroder seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Marshall is looking to improve his position.

Marshall actively working from the bottom here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Marshall looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariel Schroder dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Schroder leaves Marshall with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Marshall fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Schroder looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Marshall looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Schroder prevents Marshall from improving his position.
Schroder not doing much here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marshall actively working from the bottom here.

Marshall is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Schroder pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schroder controlling the action here.
Schroder passes to side control.
Schroder looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Marshall is looking to regain half guard here but Schroder keeps moving and retains side control.
Marshall gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Schroder content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Marshall looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Marshall manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Schroder postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Marshall has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Schroder can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Marshall working for a triangle but Schroder defends it easily.
Marshall is breathing heavily.
Schroder is looking to work some ground and pound but Marshall has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marshall escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Schroder gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Marshall is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Schroder stays in close to Marshall's body and controls the position.
Schroder is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marshall can do to turn this around?
Schroder wants to pass the guard but Marshall is keeping the position.

Marshall had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Schroder defends it easily.

Marshall looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Schroder looking to pass the guard.

Marshall working for a triangle but Schroder defends it easily.

Marshall looking for a guillotine here but Schroder defends easily.
Schroder sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Marshall's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Marshall actively working from the bottom here.
Marshall won't allow Schroder to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariel Schroder dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Schroder closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Schroder is looking to take a break and control but Marshall is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Marshall manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Marshall is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Schroder pulls his head out easily.
Schroder seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Marshall has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Schroder escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Schroder!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marshall is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Schroder's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Marshall takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Schroder wants to take a breather but Marshall is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schroder is taking a breather. Marshall says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Marshall tries to get to full guard but Schroder has control of the leg.

Marshall looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Marshall keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Marshall keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Marshall with the active half guard here but Schroder passes nicely into side control.
Marshall is trying to get back to half 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.
Marshall looking for a sweep but Schroder has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Marshall is trying desperately to improve position.
Schroder unloads with some shots from mount but Marshall bucks and avoids them well.
Marshall tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Marshall tries to improve his position but instead Schroder has taken his back!
Marshall is really stuck here.

Schroder is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Marshall has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Schroder has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Marshall taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Schroder doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ariel Schroder!