PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Emil Marinov (ranked 1437 p4p, 3895 weight class) and Furio Spartan (ranked 192 p4p, 468 weight class). Spartan is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: This is Sparta. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Marinov
vs
Spartan

192 cm
36
195
30 - 19 - 1

187 cm
40
194
22 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

MKFC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 19 - 1, fighting out of New York, Emil Marinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Furio Spartan!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marinov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Spartan closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Marinov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spartan wants to take a breather but Marinov is having none of it.
Spartan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Spartan's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan is trying to control. Marinov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Marinov dips to his left and cracks Spartan with an uppercut!
Marinov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Marinov wants it to stay on the feet.
Spartan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Marinov lands a leg kick that knocks Spartan off balance momentarily.
Marinov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Spartan shoots in for a takedown but Marinov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Spartan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Spartan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Spartan misses with a takedown attempt
and Marinov counters with a nice uppercut.
Emil Marinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Furio Spartan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marinov lands a really nice looking cross but Spartan seems unphased.
Spartan lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marinov swings for the body but Spartan moves out of range.
Marinov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Spartan ducks right into an uppercut from Marinov.
Marinov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Marinov avoids the head kick by Spartan.
Marinov thows a body kick. Spartan tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Spartan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Spartan shoots in for a double leg but Marinov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Spartan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Spartan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Marinov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Marinov quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Spartan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Marinov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marinov clobbers Spartan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Marinov lands a slapping body shot.
Spartan scores with a jab to the jaw.
Spartan takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Marinov lands a head shot.
Spartan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Spartan goes for a double leg but Marinov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Marinov continues to drive forward.
Emil Marinov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marinov stuffs the takedown attempt from Spartan. Spartan gets slowly back to his feet.
Marinov lands with a kick to the ribs.
Marinov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Marinov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Emil Marinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Marinov - that will leave a mark!
Marinov works the jab nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marinov throws an overhand right that lands on Spartan's shoulder, as Spartan tries to avoid the shot.
Marinov leaves Spartan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Marinov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Spartan on the side of the head.
Marinov throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Spartan counters with a nice double leg into side control. Marinov won't be happy with that.
Spartan trying to control the position but Marinov is working away.
Marinov being controlled for a moment.
Spartan tries to move into full mount but can't pass Marinov's legs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Emil Marinov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Marinov connects with a right hand. Spartan shakes it off.
Spartan swings for the body but Marinov moves out of range.
Spartan moves out of range as Marinov strikes.
Spartan fails with a takedown attempt.
Marinov throws the left hand but Spartan avoids the punch easily.
Marinov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Marinov lands a front kick.
Spartan sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marinov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Spartan. Those never looked like landing.
Marinov connects with a body shot.
Marinov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Marinov scores with the left hand. Spartan knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Marinov slips a jab and a cross from Spartan.
It appears Marinov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Spartan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice uppercut lands for Marinov. That snapped Spartan's head back.
A swing and a miss from Marinov.

Marinov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Marinov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marinov stops a takedown attempt from Spartan.
A left hand lands to the body for Marinov.
Spartan is breathing heavily.
Marinov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Spartan blocking some punches.
Spartan looking for a takedown.
Emil Marinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Furio Spartan.
Marinov lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marinov lands a right hand.
Marinov lands a shoulder strike.
Marinov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Spartan backwards.
Marinov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Spartan backwards.
Marinov lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Marinov breaks the clinch.
Marinov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Spartan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Marinov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Marinov scores with a kick to the midsection.
Spartan throws a half hearted mid kick.
Marinov works Spartan's body with a nice hook.
Marinov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Spartan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Marinov scores with a head kick. Spartan tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Marinov misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Marinov cracks Spartan with a right hand to the side of the head.
Marinov scores with a hook to the body. Spartan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Marinov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Marinov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Marinov throws a head kick but Spartan moves out of range.
Marinov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spartan can do to turn this around?
Marinov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Spartan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Spartan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Marinov throws a quick counter kick to the body but Spartan avoids it.
Marinov lands a head kick!
Marinov with a jab.
Spartan throws a hook to the side of Marinov's head but Marinov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Marinov fakes the leg kick and cracks Spartan in the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Spartan with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Marinov to score with a decent uppercut.
Spartan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marinov.
Marinov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Marinov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Marinov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Spartan tries for a takedown but Marinov circles away easily
and Marinov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Marinov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Marinov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Marinov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Spartan takes a step back to recover.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spartan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Spartan misses with a takedown attempt - Marinov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Emil Marinov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Marinov misses with a looping left.
Spartan shoots in but no luck this time.
Marinov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Spartan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Marinov tests Spartan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Marinov avoids a kick to the body.
Marinov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Despite the aggression on Spartan's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Jab by Marinov.
Marinov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Marinov lands an overhand right.
Marinov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Spartan.
Marinov jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spartan takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Marinov scores with a nice body kick.
Spartan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marinov connects with a body shot.
Marinov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Marinov swats away the attempt to clinch by Spartan.
Marinov misses with a head kick.
Furio Spartan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spartan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marinov.
Marinov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Marinov tries to sprawl but Spartan drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Spartan is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Spartan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Spartan looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marinov gets back to full guard.
Spartan wants to pass the guard but Marinov is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marinov keeping moving, preventing Spartan from controlling successfully.
Spartan tries to free his leg and advance position but Marinov is retaining full guard.
Spartan wants to control from the top but Marinov keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Spartan is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marinov slaps away a takedown attempt from Spartan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
It looked like Marinov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Emil Marinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Furio Spartan.
Marinov lands with a nice body kick.
A head kick misses from Marinov.
Marinov misses with a straight left.
Marinov lands with a slapping head kick.
Spartan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Marinov avoids it really well and circles away.
Marinov scores with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spartan drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Spartan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Spartan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It appears Marinov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Marinov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Spartan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Spartan clinches.
Furio Spartan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spartan is working for takedown but Marinov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Spartan tries to throw a body punch but Marinov avoids it by throwing Spartan back against the cage.
Spartan tries for a takedown but Marinov manages to get underhooks.
Spartan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Marinov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Spartan goes for a takedown attempt but Marinov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Marinov punishes Spartan's body with a nice straight punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emil Marinov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Marinov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emil Marinov!
Emil Marinov spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.