PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Clay (ranked 2236 p4p, 3328 weight class) and Randy Mardov (ranked 296 p4p, 426 weight class). Randy Mardov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Clay
vs
Mardov

181 cm
23
211
9 - 2 - 0

199 cm
29
209
2 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Andrew Clay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Randy Mardov!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Stewart Dunkirk and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mardov throws a jab but it's blocked by Clay.
Nice straight punches there by Clay. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Clay.
Clay takes a swing at Mardov's ribcage but misses.
Mardov with the counter takedown but Clay avoids it easily.
Mardov moves out of range as Clay strikes.
Mardov throws a hook but Clay blocks it.
Clay just misses with a punch to the body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mardov.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Mardov slows the pace down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Mardov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
It looks like Mardov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Clay is looking for a sweep.
Mardov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Clay trying to remain calm as Mardov controls from the top position.

That's two 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.
Mardov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Clay can't do much from the bottom here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mardov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mardov fails with a takedown attempt.
Clay defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mardov.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Clay lands a left hand that snaps the head of Mardov backwards.
Clay working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Clay looking for a takedown.
A short right from Clay on the inside.
Clay scores with a nice hook to the head.
Clay is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mardov content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Clay.
Mardov wants to stall.

Clay breaks the clinch.
Clay throws a hook but Mardov avoids it easily.
Clay throws a nice looking combination but Mardov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Clay throws a body shot but no joy.
Mardov throws a good cross that connects.
Mardov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jab, jab by Clay - just one landing.

Mardov pushes Clay up against the cage in a clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Clay.
Clay misses with a punch on the inside.
Clay wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mardov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay leaning against his opponent.
Mardov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mardov misses with a hook from the clinch.
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!
Clay wants a takedown.
Clay gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mardov.
Andrew Clay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Mardov.
Mardov struggles to land a body shot inside as Clay controls his hands.
Clay avoiding damage as Mardov throws knees to the body.
Mardov blocks a body shot from Clay.
Clay misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mardov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Clay throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mardov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Andrew Clay will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mardov defending well as Clay loads up on a big left hand.
Mardov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Clay throws out the jab.
A countering left hand to the body from Mardov misses.

Clay closes the distance and clinches.
Andrew Clay has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mardov looking to stall.
Clay dodges an elbow strike from Mardov.
Clay misses with a punch on the inside.
Mardov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Clay throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mardov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Clay is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Clay tries to pull guard but Mardov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mardov is working for takedown but Clay is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mardov tries for a takedown but Clay manages to get underhooks.
Andrew Clay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Mardov.
Mardov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mardov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Clay breaks the clinch.
Clay looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Clay uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mardov.
Clay is looking to counter punch.
Nice uppercut there from Clay.
Clay moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Clay uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mardov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Clay throws out the jab.
Clay jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Clay is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mardov can do to turn this around?

Clay gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mardov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mardov trying to stall but Clay improves his position.

Mardov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mardov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Clay swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mardov trying to control but Clay is working from the bottom.
Clay might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mardov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Clay keeping moving, preventing Mardov from controlling successfully.
Clay has Mardov pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mardov trying to control the position from guard on top but Clay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Clay fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Clay takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Andrew Clay seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mardov lands a glancing blow to the side of Clay's head.
Clay wants to clinch up but Mardov keeps it at a distance.
The fighters circling - Clay throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And Mardov tries to counter it with a takedown but Clay pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mardov fails to land the takedown.
Clay swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mardov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Clay sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mardov somewhat.
Andrew Clay is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mardov misses the body punch
enabling Clay to counter with a crisp jab.
Andrew Clay is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mardov moves away from the strike by Clay.

Mardov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Clay dodges the ground and pound from Mardov.
Mardov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Clay keeps working.
Clay is trying to improve his position.
Clay trying to remain calm as Mardov controls from the top position.
Mardov trying to control the position but Clay is working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Andrew Clay will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Clay throws the left hand but Mardov avoids the punch easily.

Mardov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Clay tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mardov is looking to control Clay's arms but Clay gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mardov has his back to the cage.
Mardov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Clay's efforts to push away.
Mardov pushes off an throws an elbow but Clay leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Clay lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Come on Mardov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mardov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Clay is pressed up against the cage. Mardov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Clay down to the mat. Clay avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clay throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Clay lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Clay closes the distance and clinches.
Mardov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Clay breaks the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mardov or perhaps it was just good defense by Clay, which made it look bad.
Mardov swats away the attempt to clinch by Clay.
Nice defenses there by Mardov.
Mardov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Mardov slips a jab from Clay.

Mardov rushes Clay and presses him up against the cage.
Clay lands a nice uppercut.
Mardov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Clay.
Mardov throws a punch but it's blocked by Clay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Clay escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Clay gets cracked there but stands up to it.

It looks like Andrew Clay has been cut.
Mardov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Clay is fending him off so far but Mardov persists. Nope, Clay circles away and we're back to standing.
Andrew Clay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Mardov.
Clay lands with a straight right. Mardov didn't see that one coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mardov walks into a left hand.
Mardov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A big right from Mardov misses.
Clay looks to land a right hand but Mardov moved out of range.
Clay lands a jab to the head.
Clay waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mardov.
Clay throws a series of punches but Mardov avoids them all with ease.
Clay slips a jab from Mardov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mardov. Clay does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mardov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Clay tries to avoid it but Mardov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Clay to the ground. Clay escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mardov.
Mardov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Clay lands a really nice looking cross but Mardov seems unphased.
Andrew Clay is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mardov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Mardov shoots in for a takedown but Clay shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mardov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
An attempted straight right counter from Clay misses the target.
Clay is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Mardov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Clay sprawls well. Clay wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mardov gets slowly back to his feet.
Mardov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mardov works Clay's body with a nice hook.
Clay scores with a jab to the body.
Clay keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Mardov looks to move away, Clay throws a big counter combo but Mardov just gets out of the way.
Mardov walks into a jab.
Clay lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Clay moves into range and clinches up with Mardov.
With the fighters up against the cage, Clay throws an elbow but misses.
Mardov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Clay has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mardov gets underhooks to prevent Clay's takedown attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mardov tries for a takedown but Clay manages to get underhooks.
Clay gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mardov.
Randy Mardov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Clay lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew Clay showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Clay, 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew Clay!
An out of breath Andrew Clay thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.