PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ferdinand Marquez (ranked 2438 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jianabule Ahezhuole (ranked 3218 p4p, 347 weight class). Ahezhuole has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Jianabule Ahezhuole will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Marquez
vs
Ahezhuole

185 cm
25
158 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
156 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ferdinand Marquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jianabule Ahezhuole!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Bruno Lombardi and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marquez throws a body punch but Ahezhuole moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Marquez.
Ahezhuole is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ahezhuole tries to clinch

and Marquez counters with a shoot takedown. Ahezhuole fights it but they end up in guard.
Marquez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Marquez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahezhuole looking to control but Marquez passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marquez looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marquez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Ahezhuole actively working from the bottom here.
Ahezhuole looks winded!
Marquez trying to control the pace.
Ahezhuole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Marquez.

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.

Marquez decides to stand and escape the position.
Marquez fails to land the takedown.
As Marquez backs off Ahezhuole throws a huge counter combo but Marquez manages to avoid it all.
Marquez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ahezhuole counters with a three punch combo that has Marquez backing up. Marquez nods at Ahezhuole to acknowledge the strikes.
Nice takedown defense from Ahezhuole. No joy for Marquez on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ferdinand Marquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Marquez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ahezhuole looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Marquez throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Marquez stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Marquez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ahezhuole's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahezhuole wants to get back to his feet but Marquez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Marquez passes Ahezhuole's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Marquez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Marquez is looking for a kimura but Ahezhuole is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Marquez to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Still in half guard, Marquez seems content to control.

Marquez seems to be looking for submissions.
Marquez is taking a breather. Ahezhuole 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Marquez.
Marquez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marquez working Ahezhuole over with strikes.
Marquez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinand Marquez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Marquez looking to score a takedown here. Ahezhuole is defending well but Marquez drives through and ends up in Ahezhuole's guard.
Marquez lands a couple of elbows.
Marquez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Marquez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Marquez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ahezhuole swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Marquez is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahezhuole being controlled here, momentarily.
Marquez advances position into side control!
Ahezhuole is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marquez is trying to get an arm triangle but Ahezhuole is defending well.
Marquez controls the position from side control.

Marquez tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Marquez has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

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.
Check out the look on Marquez's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Marquez is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Marquez advances nicely into full mount.
Marquez controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marquez lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Marquez tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Marquez raining down hammerfists from mount.
Marquez is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Ahezhuole can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marquez get's back to his feet.

Marquez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ahezhuole was covering up waiting for the punch and Marquez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ahezhuole is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Marquez dives into side control.

Marquez is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Ahezhuole's shoulder. That is not cool.
Marquez scores with a couple of short elbows.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marquez remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Marquez tries for a kimura but Ahezhuole is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinand Marquez dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Marquez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ahezhuole tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Marquez is in Ahezhuole's guard.
Ahezhuole is trying to keep Marquez in close.
Marquez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marquez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahezhuole takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marquez forces his way into half guard.
Marquez content to control rather than advance.
Marquez thows a huge punch but Ahezhuole dodges it nicely.

Marquez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ahezhuole is just riding it out for now. Marquez eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Marquez escapes and gets back to his feet.
Decent striking displayed by Marquez there.

Marquez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Marquez keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ahezhuole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Marquez.
Marquez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marquez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ahezhuole!
Marquez controlling the position easily from mount.
Marquez lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marquez has hold of Ahezhuole's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ahezhuole manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Marquez stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Marquez dives in and scores a takedown into Ahezhuole's guard.
Ahezhuole wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Marquez manages to pass to side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jianabule Ahezhuole comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Marquez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28

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