PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Antetokounmpo (ranked 4216 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reynold March (ranked 7269 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Antetokounmpo
vs
March

183 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

177 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Antetokounmpo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Reynold March!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Antetokounmpo wants to clinch up but March keeps it at a distance.
No joy there for Antetokounmpo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Antetokounmpo shoots in but no luck this time.
Antetokounmpo throws a left and a right that both miss

and March holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Antetokounmpo is looking to control March's arms but March gets an underhook and turns him. Now Antetokounmpo has his back to the cage.
Antetokounmpo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Antetokounmpo drags the fight down to the ground.
March not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Antetokounmpo working for a triangle but March defends it easily.
March won't allow Antetokounmpo to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as March accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
March must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Antetokounmpo looking to hit a scissor sweep but March is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antetokounmpo trying to control the position.
Antetokounmpo throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Antetokounmpo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
March 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.
Antetokounmpo wants to stand and escape but March is having none of it.
March tries to stand but Antetokounmpo is controlling from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Antetokounmpo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and March holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Antetokounmpo wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Antetokounmpo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.

March manages to pull guard.
Antetokounmpo is fighting to break March's control of his arms but March is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
March throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
March is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
March preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
March keeping full guard, as Antetokounmpo tries to pass.
Antetokounmpo throws a big right hand that misses.

March had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Antetokounmpo defends it easily.
March wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
March preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
March has control of Antetokounmpo's left arm, preventing Antetokounmpo from doing any damage.
Antetokounmpo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. March is keeping the position for now.
Antetokounmpo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of March's head.
Antetokounmpo wants to pass the guard but March is keeping the position.
March is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Antetokounmpo wants to pass the guard but March is keeping the position.
Antetokounmpo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Antetokounmpo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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.
Antetokounmpo postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Antetokounmpo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Antetokounmpo is breathing heavily.

March takes the fight into the clinch.

March has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Antetokounmpo is trying to keep an underhook but March manages to get the takedown into half guard.
March looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
March content to control rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Antetokounmpo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. March is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Antetokounmpo goes for a double leg but March avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as March continues to drive forward.
A punch lands to the side of March 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Antetokounmpo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Antetokounmpo trying to advance position but March counters by regaining guard.
Antetokounmpo won't allow March to sweep him here.
March avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Antetokounmpo is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! March is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! March has escaped and now he's on top!

March won't allow Antetokounmpo to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Antetokounmpo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as March controls the pace.
March slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
March is nestled in close to Antetokounmpo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
March is taking a breather. Antetokounmpo 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.
March tries to pass to full mount but Antetokounmpo defends it.
Antetokounmpo is looking for a sweep. March is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
March is nestled in close to Antetokounmpo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Reynold March has got the better of the ground game so far.

Antetokounmpo actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Antetokounmpo wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
March tries to stand and escape but Antetokounmpo is controlling the position.

Antetokounmpo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
March not doing much here.
Antetokounmpo taking some punishment here, with March in his half guard.
March prevents Antetokounmpo from improving his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. March connects with a nice short shot to Antetokounmpo's temple.
March controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Antetokounmpo is trying to get back to full guard.
March controlling the action here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Antetokounmpo punching from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Antetokounmpo tries to score a power double leg takedown but March sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Antetokounmpo somewhat.
Ryan Antetokounmpo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Antetokounmpo goes for a double leg but March avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as March continues to drive forward.
March is looking for the big counter here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Antetokounmpo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Antetokounmpo misses with a takedown attempt

and March counters by clinching up.
Antetokounmpo blocks an elbow strike from March.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
March displaying some good clinch control by pressing Antetokounmpo up against the cage.

March manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Antetokounmpo with a flurry of punches that miss.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now March is on top in guard.

Antetokounmpo has an active guard here but March has managed to pass into half guard.
March tries to stand and escape but Antetokounmpo is controlling the position.
March has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ground and pound from March.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reynold March showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Antetokounmpo gets tackled into the cage by March. March maintains the clinch.

March manages to break the clinch.
Antetokounmpo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

March rushes Antetokounmpo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
March taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

March ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. March no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Antetokounmpo wants to get up but he can't break March's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now March is on top in guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
March won't allow Antetokounmpo to sweep him here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Antetokounmpo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. March doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. March manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
March pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Antetokounmpo is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
March's corner is telling him to maintain position.
March looking to pass the guard.
March scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
March is in close to Antetokounmpo's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two 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.
Antetokounmpo looking to hit a scissor sweep but March is one step ahead there.
March is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
March 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.

Antetokounmpo throws his legs up looking for a submission but March uses it to pass to side control.
March really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Antetokounmpo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Antetokounmpo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Antetokounmpo is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
March is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Antetokounmpo will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

March tries for a kimura but Antetokounmpo is defending well.
March controls the position.

Antetokounmpo throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

March closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Antetokounmpo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

March successfully pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Antetokounmpo won't allow March to sweep him here.
Antetokounmpo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
March has control of Antetokounmpo's left arm, preventing Antetokounmpo from doing any damage.
Ryan Antetokounmpo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
March's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Antetokounmpo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Antetokounmpo gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reynold March comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well March has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reynold March!