PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jacques Marquez (ranked 24337 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francisco Ascencao (ranked 6725 p4p, 0 weight class). Francisco Ascencao has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Marquez
vs
Ascencao

154 cm
22
177 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jacques Marquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Francisco Ascencao!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marquez dives in for a single leg takedown but Ascencao sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Ascencao closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Marquez quickly recovers to half guard.

Marquez manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Ascencao keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Marquez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Marquez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ascencao to the mat! Ascencao manages to get full guard.
Ascencao wants to get back to his feet but Marquez passes into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Marquez gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Marquez slips a jab and a cross from Ascencao.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ascencao.
Ascencao looks winded!
Ascencao plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marquez takes the fight into the clinch.

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

Marquez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Marquez lands a damaging elbow.
Marquez looking to throw knees to the head but Ascencao is blocking nicely.
Marquez throws an elbow but it misses.

Marquez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ascencao throws a leg kick

and Marquez moves into the clinch.

Marquez breaks the clinch.

Marquez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ascencao looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ascencao is looking to get back to his feet here but Marquez is keeping cool and he's managed to take Ascencao's back.
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!

Marquez is looking for the choke from the back position but Ascencao is controlling his hands well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ascencao fending off the submission attempt from Marquez.
Marquez controlling from the back.
Marquez's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
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.

Marquez is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Ascencao is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's four 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.

Ascencao fending off the submission attempt from Marquez.
Marquez keeps control of the position easily here as Ascencao tries to buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Marquez dominated that round.
That's time! Marquez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ascencao throws a head kick but Marquez moves out of range.
Ascencao fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Marquez avoids it really well and circles away.
Marquez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Ascencao misses with a takedown

and Marquez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Marquez.

Marquez manages to break the clinch.
Ascencao stuffs the takedown attempt from Marquez. Marquez gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ascencao looks to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ascencao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Marquez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ascencao as he avoids it easily.

Marquez moves into the clinch successfully.
Ascencao is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Ascencao's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Marquez breaks the clinch.

Ascencao shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Marquez could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Marquez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ascencao's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ascencao's back!
Good control from Marquez.
Marquez seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ascencao for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marquez gets his hands free as Ascencao looks to control.
You can see the frustration on Ascencao's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marquez slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

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.
Further stalling from Marquez.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ascencao is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Marquez dominated that second round.
That's time! Marquez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ascencao closes the distance and pushes Marquez back into the cage.
Marquez creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ascencao's defenses.

Ascencao breaks the clinch.
Ascencao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Ascencao.
Marquez tries for a takedown but Ascencao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ascencao takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ascencao misses with a wild combination.
Marquez keeps the fight on the outside.
Marquez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ascencao can do to turn this around?

Marquez closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ascencao prevents the takedown attempt.
Ascencao has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Marquez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Marquez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jacques Marquez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Marquez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Marquez continues to stall.
More hug and hope from Marquez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ascencao throws his legs up looking for a submission but Marquez uses it to pass to side control.
Ascencao takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Marquez controlling the position from side mount.
Marquez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marquez stands up and beckons Ascencao to his feet.
Francisco Ascencao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
No luck for Marquez with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacques Marquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ascencao swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Marquez counters with a series of strikes. Ascencao will be more careful next time no doubt.

Marquez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ascencao sprawls well initially but Marquez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Well, if Marquez is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacques Marquez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Marquez 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacques Marquez!