PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Randy Marsh (ranked 4676 p4p, 4365 weight class) and Gregory Grouper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Marsh
vs
Grouper

183 cm
21
155
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
151
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Hates pizza

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Randy Marsh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gregory Grouper!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marsh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Grouper swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Marsh tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grouper sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marsh somewhat.
Grouper wants to counter with a clinch but Marsh pushes him away.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grouper as he avoids it easily.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown but Grouper shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Marsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marsh misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Grouper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marsh manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marsh tries to close the distance and clinch but Grouper swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A big right from Grouper misses.
Marsh dives in for a single leg takedown but Grouper sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grouper wants to take the fight to the mat but Marsh manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Marsh jumps into guard, dragging Grouper to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grouper stays in close to Marsh's body and controls the position.
Marsh trying to keep a closed guard but Grouper is proving a slippery customer.
Grouper showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Marsh has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

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.
Grouper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marsh trying to keep a closed guard but Grouper is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Grouper thows a left - swing and a miss!
Grouper stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Grouper wants it to stay on the feet.
Grouper let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Marsh has Grouper up against the cage in a clinch.
Marsh stops a takedown attempt from Grouper.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marsh jumps guard and drags Grouper to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Marsh has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Grouper can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Marsh trying to control the position here.
Marsh trying to keep a closed guard but Grouper is proving a slippery customer.
Grouper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Marsh swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Grouper wants to control from the top but Marsh keeps moving.
Grouper really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Marsh. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Marsh working for a triangle but Grouper defends it easily.
Grouper is stalling in the full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Grouper trying to control the position from guard on top but Marsh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gregory Grouper will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Marsh tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grouper sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marsh somewhat.
Grouper swings for the body but Marsh moves out of range.
Marsh throws a chopping leg kick but Grouper manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Grouper is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Randy Marsh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marsh blocks a jab.
Marsh shoots for a takedown but Grouper saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marsh dives in and grabs Grouper's left leg, looking for a takedown. Grouper pushes down on Marsh's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Marsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grouper misses with a wild body shot.
Marsh tries to clinch but Grouper moves out of range.
Grouper wants to counter the offense by Marsh and move into the clinch position.
Marsh tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Grouper defends well and Marsh ends up having to push Grouper into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Marsh sets himself, and Grouper steps forward looking for the clinch! Marsh avoids it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grouper can't get the takedown.
Grouper tries to break free but Marsh pushes him back against the cage.
Marsh throws a knee to the head but misses.
Grouper changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Marsh fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Grouper tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marsh was well out of range. Poor timing from Grouper.
Marsh is looking for a counter combo.
Marsh looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Grouper is fending him off so far but Marsh persists. Nope, Grouper circles away and we're back to standing.
Grouper swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grouper swats away the attempt to clinch by Marsh.
Grouper swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Grouper misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsh is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gregory Grouper is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown but Grouper shows good takedown defense.
Marsh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Randy Marsh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown but Grouper shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Grouper throws a body shot but no joy.
Marsh waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Grouper.
Nice sprawl there from Grouper as Marsh shoots in.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Grouper but Grouper pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsh has a takedown stuffed.
Grouper missing with a left hand there. Marsh was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Grouper misses with a looping left.
Gregory Grouper seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Marsh shoots in but Grouper avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Grouper tries to counter by closing the distance.
Grouper fails to land with a series of punches.
Grouper doesn't manage to clinch there - Marsh circles away.
Marsh tries to clinch up but Grouper circles away and keeps his distance.
Grouper wants to counter with a clinch but Marsh pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grouper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marsh manages to avoid it.
Grouper is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Marsh tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Grouper defends well and Marsh ends up having to push Grouper into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Grouper is looking for a takedown.
Grouper goes for a takedown attempt but Marsh pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Marsh tries for a takedown but Grouper sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Grouper with a nice cross.
Grouper keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Grouper 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Grouper showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Marsh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grouper.
Marsh tries to land a leg kick but Grouper saw it coming and moves away.
Grouper with the counter takedown but Marsh avoids it easily.
No luck for Marsh with that takedown attempt.
Marsh closes the distance and clinches up with Grouper, looking for a takedown. Marsh pushes Grouper against the cage but Grouper circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Grouper has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Marsh displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Grouper throws out the jab.
Sloppy strikes from Marsh. Those never looked like landing.
Grouper doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grouper just misses with a punch to the body.
Marsh attempts a counter takedown but Grouper avoids it well and moves away.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Grouper now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Marsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marsh tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grouper sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marsh somewhat.
Grouper appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Grouper as he jumps to the side.
Marsh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grouper.
Grouper waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Marsh.
Nice sprawl there from Grouper as Marsh shoots in.
Grouper is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Marsh.
Grouper swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grouper misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grouper misses the shot to the body.
Marsh tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Grouper manages to circle out of the way.
Marsh uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Grouper.
Marsh attempts a counter takedown but Grouper avoids it well and moves away.
Grouper takes a swing at Marsh's ribcage but misses.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown but Grouper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Grouper tries to close the distance and clinch up but Marsh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Marsh looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Grouper is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Marsh rather than just go for the knockout.
Marsh defending well as Grouper loads up on a big left hand.
Grouper is looking to clinch but Marsh is avoiding it.
A head kick misses from Marsh.
Grouper throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A quick step to the side and Marsh tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grouper is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jab by Grouper.
Grouper throws an overhand right that lands on Marsh's shoulder, as Marsh tries to avoid the shot.
A swing and a miss from Grouper.
Marsh shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Grouper but Grouper pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Marsh is looking to chop away at Grouper's legs.
Marsh sets himself, and Grouper steps forward looking for the clinch! Marsh avoids it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsh uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Grouper.
Marsh tries to counter by clinching up but Grouper breaks away and moves out of range.
Marsh tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Grouper manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Grouper is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Marsh tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Marsh fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Grouper avoids it really well and circles away.
It seemed like Grouper was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Grouper swinging wildly here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marsh closes this distance looking for a takedown but Grouper circles away.
Randy Marsh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gregory Grouper is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Grouper swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Marsh appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gregory Grouper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Grouper winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gregory Grouper!