PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Darrell TheMarksmen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alistair Struve (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). TheMarksmen comes to the cage accompanied by Sage Francis - Sea Lion. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

TheMarksmen
vs
Struve

189 cm
23
270 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

225 cm
21
275 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Darrell TheMarksmen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alistair Struve!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
TheMarksmen is looking to clinch.
TheMarksmen is looking to clinch.
TheMarksmen tries to clinch up.
Struve shoots for a double leg takedown but TheMarksmen sprawls well. He's pushed Struve's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
TheMarksmen is looking to clinch but Struve is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - TheMarksmen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Struve misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from TheMarksmen.
TheMarksmen tries to clinch up.
TheMarksmen tries to clinch there but Struve circles away.

TheMarksmen clinches up with Struve and pushes him back against the cage.
TheMarksmen working Struve over with knees to the body.
TheMarksmen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
TheMarksmen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Struve blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees in the clinch landing for TheMarksmen.
Struve looks gassed!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
TheMarksmen lands a knee to the body.
Struve being controlled against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
TheMarksmen crunches a lovely knee into Struve's ribcage.
TheMarksmen with a knee to the head.
TheMarksmen manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
TheMarksmen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
TheMarksmen scores with a knee to the head.
TheMarksmen landing knees to the head.
TheMarksmen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Struve has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
TheMarksmen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Struve's efforts to push away.
TheMarksmen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Struve's efforts to push away.
Struve takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struve fails to pull guard.
TheMarksmen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
TheMarksmen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
TheMarksmen landing knees to the body.
TheMarksmen lands a knee to the head.
TheMarksmen landing knees to the head.
TheMarksmen lands a knee to the head.
TheMarksmen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A knee to the head by TheMarksmen.
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!
Struve drops to a knee looking for a takedown but TheMarksmen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Darrell TheMarksmen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alistair Struve.
TheMarksmen lands a nice knee to the body.
TheMarksmen looking to throw knees to the head but Struve is blocking nicely.
TheMarksmen is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Struve is working for takedown but TheMarksmen is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TheMarksmen misses with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from TheMarksmen.
TheMarksmen scores with a knee to the head.
Struve has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. TheMarksmen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
TheMarksmen lands a knee to the body.
TheMarksmen tries to land a knee to the head but Struve blocks with his arms.
TheMarksmen displaying some good clinch control by pressing Struve up against the cage.
TheMarksmen tries a knee to the head but Struve blocks it.
Struve tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. TheMarksmen smiles and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Struve is defended easily by TheMarksmen.
TheMarksmen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Struve paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
TheMarksmen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Struve lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
TheMarksmen tries to clinch up.
Struve avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Struve.
TheMarksmen tries to clinch there but Struve circles away.

TheMarksmen closes the distance and pushes Struve back into the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
TheMarksmen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Struve blocks it with crossed arms.
TheMarksmen with a knee to the head.
TheMarksmen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Struve's face.
TheMarksmen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Struve in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darrell TheMarksmen dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

TheMarksmen tries to clinch there but Struve circles away.
Struve keeps the fight on the outside.
Struve avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
TheMarksmen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
TheMarksmen is looking to clinch.
TheMarksmen is looking to clinch but Struve is avoiding it.
TheMarksmen throws a predictable looking body shot

and Struve counters with a nice double leg into side control. TheMarksmen won't be happy with that.
TheMarksmen tries to escape but Struve is in control.

Struve tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Struve working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
TheMarksmen manages to work his way to half guard, despite Struve's best efforts.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

TheMarksmen kicks off Struve and gets to his feet.
Darrell TheMarksmen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
TheMarksmen tries to clinch but Struve moves away
and Struve counters with a series of strikes. TheMarksmen will be more careful next time no doubt.
TheMarksmen wants to clinch but Struve slips to the side

and Struve counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
TheMarksmen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
TheMarksmen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Struve throwing strikes from guard but TheMarksmen blocks nicely.
TheMarksmen keeping moving, preventing Struve from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
TheMarksmen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Struve in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Struve trying to control the position from guard on top but TheMarksmen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
TheMarksmen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Struve shoots for a takedown but TheMarksmen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
TheMarksmen wants to clinch
letting Struve counter with a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Struve swats away the attempt to clinch by TheMarksmen.
Struve misses with a hook.
Struve circles away from the clinch attempt

and Struve decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in TheMarksmen's guard.
TheMarksmen pulls Struve in close to prevent any damage.
TheMarksmen looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
TheMarksmen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Struve has gone for a leg lock! TheMarksmen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Struve's guard.
Struve can't keep his opponent in guard - TheMarksmen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Struve wants to get back to full guard.

Struve has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, TheMarksmen escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by TheMarksmen!
Struve wants to control but TheMarksmen postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Struve is looking for a sweep.
Struve is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
TheMarksmen controlling from side mount.
Struve tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A lull in the action here.
Struve is looking to regain half guard here but TheMarksmen keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A lull in the action here as TheMarksmen stalls from top position.
Struve is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alistair Struve showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

TheMarksmen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - TheMarksmen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
TheMarksmen tries to clinch

and Struve counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
TheMarksmen is controlling Struve's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Struve trying to control the action but TheMarksmen is working from the bottom.

Struve is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so TheMarksmen is just riding it out for now. Struve eventually gives up the hold.
TheMarksmen is refusing to be controlled, as Struve sits in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
TheMarksmen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Struve trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Struve wants to control from the top but TheMarksmen keeps moving.
Struve postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
TheMarksmen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Struve's guard.
Struve has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
TheMarksmen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Struve has a closed guard, preventing TheMarksmen from standing up.
Struve trying to strike off his back.

Struve looking for a guillotine here but TheMarksmen defends easily.
TheMarksmen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two 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.
TheMarksmen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Struve swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Struve looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
TheMarksmen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
TheMarksmen closes the distance but Struve moves to the side
and Struve counters with a three punch combo that has TheMarksmen backing up. TheMarksmen nods at Struve to acknowledge the strikes.
TheMarksmen is looking to clinch but Struve is avoiding it.
Struve looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
TheMarksmen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and TheMarksmen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

TheMarksmen gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TheMarksmen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
TheMarksmen with a knee to the head.
Darrell TheMarksmen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
TheMarksmen landing knees to the body.
Struve wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but TheMarksmen has him pressed against the cage.
TheMarksmen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
TheMarksmen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
TheMarksmen connects with a knee to the head.
Struve managing to block the knees to the body from TheMarksmen.
Struve fails to pull guard.
TheMarksmen misses with a knee strike.
TheMarksmen keeps control of Struve as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
TheMarksmen throws a knee to the head but misses.
TheMarksmen tries to land knees in the clinch but Struve avoids the damage to the body.
Struve is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
TheMarksmen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Struve's efforts to push away.
TheMarksmen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Struve.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
TheMarksmen stops a takedown attempt from Struve.
Darrell TheMarksmen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alistair Struve.
TheMarksmen tries to land a knee to the head but Struve blocks with his arms.
Struve can't break the clinch.
TheMarksmen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Struve has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Struve wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Struve wants a takedown but no success here.
TheMarksmen lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Struve avoiding damage as TheMarksmen throws knees to the body.
Struve is looking to break free of the clinch but TheMarksmen has double underhooks.
TheMarksmen tries to land a knee to the head but Struve blocks with his arms.
Struve has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Struve is stalling here.
TheMarksmen has Struve pressed against the cage, preventing Struve from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Struve wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alistair Struve comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Struve has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!