PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frank Marciano 3rd (ranked 1037 p4p, 140 weight class) and Khaba Dagestanskiy (ranked 1211 p4p, 160 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Marciano 3rd
vs
Dagestanskiy

182 cm
27
180 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
175 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Marciano 3rd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Khaba Dagestanskiy!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dagestanskiy avoids the body shot from Marciano 3rd.

Dagestanskiy moves into the clinch.
Dagestanskiy working aggressively here.
Marciano 3rd misses with the head strike.
Marciano 3rd misses with some punches.
Marciano 3rd misses with a hook from the clinch.
Marciano 3rd's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dagestanskiy working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Marciano 3rd.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Dagestanskiy.
Dagestanskiy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marciano 3rd tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Marciano 3rd softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Dagestanskiy leaning against his opponent.
Dagestanskiy lands a right hand.
Marciano 3rd has had enough of the clinch but Dagestanskiy keeps him there for the moment.
Dagestanskiy tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Marciano 3rd smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Marciano 3rd, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Dagestanskiy moves into the clinch.
Marciano 3rd tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dagestanskiy's elbow.
A frustrated look appears on Marciano 3rd's face as he tries to break the clinch.
I was talking to Marciano 3rd's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Dagestanskiy misses with a punch to the body.
Marciano 3rd blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Marciano 3rd breaks the clinch.
Marciano 3rd lands a jab to Dagestanskiy's midsection.
Sloppy strikes from Marciano 3rd. Those never looked like landing.
Dagestanskiy misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Dagestanskiy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Marciano 3rd throws a low kick but Dagestanskiy moves out of range easily.
Dagestanskiy ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marciano 3rd shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Dagestanskiy scores with a punch to the head.
A shot to the liver by Dagestanskiy. Beautiful body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Marciano 3rd gets caught napping as Dagestanskiy dives in and scores a takedown. Marciano 3rd manages to retain guard.

Marciano 3rd working for a triangle but Dagestanskiy defends it easily.
Dagestanskiy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Dagestanskiy working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Marciano 3rd working a defensive guard here.
Dagestanskiy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marciano 3rd is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Dagestanskiy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Dagestanskiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Marciano 3rd is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marciano 3rd working a defensive guard but Dagestanskiy passes into half guard.
Dagestanskiy is taking a breather. Marciano 3rd 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.
Marciano 3rd controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Marciano 3rd is looking to control Dagestanskiy's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Marciano 3rd avoid being mounted?

That's four 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.

Marciano 3rd looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dagestanskiy is just content to waste time from the top position. Marciano 3rd takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Marciano 3rd is pulling down on Dagestanskiy's head to control his posture.

Marciano 3rd is working an open guard so Dagestanskiy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Marciano 3rd paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Marciano 3rd loads up on a big right hand but Dagestanskiy slips the punch.
Frank Marciano 3rd is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dagestanskiy swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Marciano 3rd to counter with a crisp jab.
Marciano 3rd avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dagestanskiy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marciano 3rd moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khaba Dagestanskiy dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Marciano 3rd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dagestanskiy manages to avoid it.
Dagestanskiy tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Khaba Dagestanskiy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marciano 3rd throws a leg kick that misses.
Marciano 3rd lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dagestanskiy's sensitive parts.
Marciano 3rd misses the shot to the body.
Marciano 3rd throws a hook but Dagestanskiy blocks it.
Dagestanskiy takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The fighters circling - Dagestanskiy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Marciano 3rd takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Marciano 3rd misses with a low kick as Dagestanskiy jumps back.
Marciano 3rd lands with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dagestanskiy fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Dagestanskiy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Dagestanskiy misses with a body shot.
Dagestanskiy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dagestanskiy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Marciano 3rds jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Marciano 3rd ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dagestanskiy moves away.
Marciano 3rd listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Frank Marciano 3rd is winning the standup battle so far.
Dagestanskiy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Marciano 3rd.
Dagestanskiy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dagestanskiy looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Marciano 3rd motions for Dagestanskiy to come forward. Marciano 3rd throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Marciano 3rd connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Dagestanskiy misses with a body shot.
Marciano 3rd blocks a jab.
Dagestanskiy slips under a jab from Marciano 3rd.
Dagestanskiy rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Marciano 3rd counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dagestanskiy misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy tests Marciano 3rd's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Frank Marciano 3rd has been cut.
Dagestanskiy throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Marciano 3rd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dagestanskiy connects with a jab.
Marciano 3rd lands the left hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Dagestanskiy darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Dagestanskiy ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Dagestanskiy lands a jab.
Marciano 3rd misses the shot to the body.
Dagestanskiy misses with a double jab
and Marciano 3rd counters with a low kick, right behind Dagestanskiy 's knee.
Dagestanskiy scores with a nice head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Marciano 3rd.
Marciano 3rd steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dagestanskiy.
Marciano 3rd motions for Dagestanskiy to come forward. Marciano 3rd throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Dagestanskiy lunges at Marciano 3rd with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Marciano 3rd's hand.
Dagestanskiy throws a combination that misses
and Marciano 3rd counters with a nice body shot.
Dagestanskiy swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Marciano 3rd makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Marciano 3rd lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Dagestanskiy scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Marciano 3rd gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dagestanskiy fails to land with a series of punches.
Marciano 3rd shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A punch lands to the side of Marciano 3rd 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Marciano 3rd lands with a thumping leg kick.
Marciano 3rd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marciano 3rd misses the shot to the body.
Marciano 3rd is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Dagestanskiy has a takedown stuffed.
Marciano 3rd throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Dagestanskiy counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Dagestanskiy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Marciano 3rd is looking to slow Dagestanskiy down with leg kicks.
Dagestanskiy tries to bum rush Marciano 3rd with a series of wild strikes but Marciano 3rd uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A chopping leg kick lands by Marciano 3rd.
No joy there for Dagestanskiy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Marciano 3rd defending well as Dagestanskiy loads up on a big left hand.
Sloppy strikes from Dagestanskiy. Those never looked like landing.
Marciano 3rd connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Khaba Dagestanskiy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Frank Marciano 3rd's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Marciano 3rd ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dagestanskiy moves away.
Marciano 3rd buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Dagestanskiy closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Dagestanskiy tries to clinch but Marciano 3rd moves away
and Marciano 3rd connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Marciano 3rd misses with a body punch
and Dagestanskiy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Marciano 3rd avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Marciano 3rd swings away with a body shot that misses
and Dagestanskiy counters with a right hand to the body.
Marciano 3rd feints and then cracks Dagestanskiy's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dagestanskiy down.
The fighters circling - Marciano 3rd throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marciano 3rd takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Marciano 3rd slips a jab and a cross from Dagestanskiy.
Marciano 3rd throws a leg kick but Dagestanskiy sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Marciano 3rd digs a good hook to Dagestanskiy's body.
Dagestanskiy's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marciano 3rd throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Dagestanskiy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy misses the shot to the body.
Dagestanskiy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Marciano 3rd moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Marciano 3rd throws a lazy uppercut
and Dagestanskiy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dagestanskiy misses with an uppercut.
Marciano 3rd darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Dagestanskiy throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Marciano 3rd stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Marciano 3rd motions for Dagestanskiy to come forward. Marciano 3rd throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Marciano 3rd showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dagestanskiy.
It looked like Marciano 3rd was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Dagestanskiy.
Dagestanskiy throws a lazy right hand but Marciano 3rd sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Marciano 3rd changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Dagestanskiy throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Marciano 3rd counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Marciano 3rd backs up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marciano 3rd misses the jab.
Marciano 3rd throws a body shot but no joy.

Dagestanskiy shoots in and gets a takedown into Marciano 3rd's guard.
Dagestanskiy engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Dagestanskiy preventing the sweep.
Dagestanskiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Marciano 3rd is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dagestanskiy with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Frank Marciano 3rd has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marciano 3rd wants to sweep here but Dagestanskiy controlling him for the moment.
Dagestanskiy stands up over Marciano 3rd, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Dagestanskiy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dagestanskiy throws a big right hand that misses.
Marciano 3rd trying to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Dagestanskiy trying to control but Marciano 3rd is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jab by Marciano 3rd.
Marciano 3rd throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dagestanskiy stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dagestanskiy swings for the body but Marciano 3rd moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marciano 3rd throws a right hand that misses
and Dagestanskiy counters with a left and a right that stings Marciano 3rd.
Dagestanskiy jabs at Marciano 3rd's body.
Khaba Dagestanskiy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Marciano 3rd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dagestanskiy looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Dagestanskiy swinging wildly here.
Marciano 3rd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dagestanskiy tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Marciano 3rd on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Marciano 3rd misses with a lunging right hand
and Dagestanskiy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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!
Marciano 3rd throws a body shot but no joy.
Dagestanskiy lands with a shot to the body.
Dagestanskiy connects with a body shot.
Dagestanskiy lands a head shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khaba Dagestanskiy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Dagestanskiy 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khaba Dagestanskiy!
After the fight, Khaba Dagestanskiy was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.