PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Monty Fiske (ranked 3645 p4p, 381 weight class) and Marlin Scars (ranked 7022 p4p, 522 weight class). Marlin Scars is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Fiske
vs
Scars

176 cm
19
159 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
155 lbs
3 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Monty Fiske!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marlin Scars!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Chad Campbell and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fiske pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fiske throws a series of punches but Scars avoids them all with ease.
Scars shoots in looking for a takedown but Fiske manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Scars's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Scars changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fiske tries to avoid it but Scars manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fiske to the ground. Fiske escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice uppercut there from Fiske.
Scars tries for a takedown but Fiske sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Monty Fiske has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marlin Scars.
Scars shoots in for a takedown but Fiske shows good takedown defense.
Scars has a takedown stuffed.
Fiske ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scars blocks a head kick by Fiske.
Scars gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Fiske counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scars trying to stall but Fiske improves his position.
Fiske leaning his opponent against the cage.

Fiske breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Fiske closes the distance and clinches.

Fiske manages to pull guard.

Fiske had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Scars defends it easily.

Fiske is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Scars is aware though and is defending well.
Fiske seems keen to control Scars's posture.
Scars stands up over Fiske, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Scars prevents Fiske from getting back to his feet.
Scars wants to control from the top but Fiske keeps moving.
Fiske is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Scars wants to control from the top but Fiske keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scars might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Fiske haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Fiske has his hands on Scars's head, controlling the position.
Fiske keeping moving, preventing Scars from controlling successfully.
Scars looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Fiske 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.

Scars thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Scars wants to control from the top but Fiske keeps moving.
Fiske looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fiske holds on and takes a little breather.
Fiske looking to hit a scissor sweep but Scars is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fiske is controlling Scars's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Scars fails with a takedown attempt.
Scars fails with the takedown.
Scars shoots in looking for a takedown but Fiske manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Scars's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Fiske moves into the clinch.
Fiske changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Scars fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Scars is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fiske sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Fiske closes the distance and pushes Scars back into the cage.

Fiske jumps guard.

Scars drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Scars jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fiske looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Scars scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Scars lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fiske seems keen to control Scars's posture.
Scars preventing the sweep.
Scars wants to control from the top but Fiske keeps moving.
Fiske has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Fiske wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fiske pulls Scars in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Scars wants to clinch.
Fiske looks to score with a jab to the body but Scars is just out of range.
Monty Fiske is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fiske stuffs the takedown attempt from Scars. Scars gets slowly back to his feet.
Scars closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fiske circles away.
No joy there for Scars, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Fiske closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fiske goes for a takedown attempt but Scars pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Scars changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fiske tries to avoid it but Scars manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fiske to the ground. Fiske escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Monty Fiske has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marlin Scars.

Fiske drives through and clinches with Scars against the cage.
Scars changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fiske fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Scars shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fiske as he avoids it easily.
Fiske swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Scars fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Fiske to the ground. Scars is now in Fiske's guard.
Fiske pulls Scars in to control the position.
Fiske has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Fiske looking for a sweep. Not yet Fiske, not yet.
Scars trying to control but Fiske is working from the bottom.
Scars won't allow Fiske to sweep him here.
Scars throwing strikes from guard but Fiske blocks nicely.
Scars won't allow Fiske to sweep him here.
Fiske keeping moving, preventing Scars from controlling successfully.

Scars drops back looking for a leg! Fiske is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Fiske manages to kick Scars off! Scars jumps back into Fiske's guard.
Scars trying to control but Fiske is working from the bottom.
Fiske on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fiske tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fiske lands a decent punch to the body there.
We've been hearing good reports from Fiske's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Fiske pulls Scars in close to prevent any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fiske throws a big shot that misses.
Monty Fiske is winning the standup battle so far.

Fiske clinches up against the cage.
Fiske scores with a hook to the body.
Fiske prevents a takedown attempt there.

Fiske breaks the clinch.

Scars gets caught napping as Fiske dives in and scores a takedown. Scars manages to retain guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Scars being controlled here, momentarily.
Scars is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Scars working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fiske doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fiske manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fiske stays in close to Scars's body and controls the position.
Fiske wants to pass the guard but Scars is keeping the position.
Fiske lands a couple of digs.
Fiske is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Scars working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fiske.
Fiske with a flurry of punches that miss.
Scars trying to keep a closed guard but Fiske is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fiske engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Fiske is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Scars can do to turn this around?
Scars has control of Fiske's left arm, preventing Fiske from doing any damage.
Fiske is looking to work some ground and pound but Scars has wrist control.
Fiske slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Scars has his hands on Fiske's head, controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Fiske has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Scars jumps guard and drags Fiske to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Fiske is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Monty Fiske dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Scars throws a nice looking combination but Fiske bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Fiske pushes Scars up against the cage in a clinch.

Fiske's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Scars.
Scars shoots for a double leg takedown but Fiske sprawls well. He's pushed Scars's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Scars fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Monty Fiske has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marlin Scars.
Horrible takedown attempt by Scars or perhaps it was just good defense by Fiske, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Scars or perhaps it was just good defense by Fiske, which made it look bad.

Fiske darts in and clinches Scars up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fiske pulls guard.
Fiske is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Scars won't allow Fiske to sweep him here.
Fiske is pulling down on Scars's head. It's preventing any offense from Scars, at least for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Scars wants to control from the top but Fiske keeps moving.
Scars throwing strikes but missing.

Fiske working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Scars doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Scars manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Fiske had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Scars defends it easily.

Fiske is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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.
Scars trying to control the position from guard on top but Fiske is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fiske trying to control the position here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Scars accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Scars loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Scars being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Fiske pushes Scars up against the cage in a clinch.
Monty Fiske has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Scars wants to get back to striking at distance but Fiske won't allow it.
Fiske holding his opponent close, against the cage.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scars trying to control the position from guard on top but Fiske is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fiske seems keen to control Scars's posture.
Scars trying to control but Fiske is working from the bottom.
Fiske trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Scars won't allow Fiske to sweep him here.
Fiske might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Fiske is controlling Scars's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Fiske moves into range and clinches up with Scars.
Marlin Scars has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fiske prevents a takedown attempt there.
Scars is trying to pull guard but Fiske has him pressed against the cage.
Fiske is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Fiske jumps guard.

Scars is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Scars takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fiske seems keen to control Scars's posture.
Scars trying to control the position from guard on top but Fiske is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fiske is on top in guard.

Monty Fiske is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Scars keeping full guard, as Fiske tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
Monty Fiske showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fiske 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Monty Fiske!