PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Hughes (ranked 1933 p4p, 2244 weight class) and Chris Coryatt (ranked 259 p4p, 304 weight class). Coryatt has chosen Slim Thug - Welcome 2 Houston as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hughes
vs
Coryatt

190 cm
27
199
9 - 12 - 0

180 cm
29
185
14 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Fantasy Threads (Laundry 15%)

Conquer

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 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcus Hughes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Coryatt!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Daniel Bishop and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coryatt swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Hughes misses the target.
Hughes lands with a hook. Coryatt tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Coryatt connects with a leg kick.
Hughes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Coryatt looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hughes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Coryatt manages to avoid it.
A punch lands to the side of Coryatt 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A big right from Coryatt misses.
Hughes misses the shot to the body.
Coryatt is looking for the big counter here.

Hughes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Coryatt's half guard.
Hughes looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hughes working Coryatt over with strikes.
Hughes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hughes throwing shots but Coryatt is blocking nicely.
Coryatt is staying active underneath Hughes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes not doing much here.
Hughes is trying to control. Coryatt wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hughes controlling the action here.
Hughes is looking to take a break and control but Coryatt is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hughes drops an elbow to the side of Coryatt's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hughes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Coryatt can do anything to dispel that myth.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Coryatt controlling the position well.
Coryatt avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hughes.
Hughes thows a huge punch but Coryatt dodges it nicely.
Hughes throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hughes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hughes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hughes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Coryatt really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hughes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hughes takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Coryatt.
Hughes throws a looping overhand right but Coryatt ducks down to avoid it.
Coryatt misses with a left hand
and Hughes counters with a nice uppercut.
Chris Coryatt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hughes feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hughes engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hughes postures up and lands a big shot to Coryatt's brow.
Hughes prevents Coryatt from getting back to his feet.
Hughes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hughes controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hughes lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hughes postures up.
Hughes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Coryatt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hughes drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hughes jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hughes throwing strikes from guard but Coryatt blocks nicely.
Hughes with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Hughes 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.

An inside leg kick from Coryatt misses.
Coryatt's coach down at Blacksmith MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Coryatt's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Coryatt throws a combination that misses
and Hughes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hughes takes a swing at Coryatt's ribcage but misses.
Hughes takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hughes connects with a right hand. Coryatt shakes it off.
Coryatt doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Coryatt fails to land with a series of punches.
Hughes misses with a takedown
letting Coryatt counter with a right hand.
Coryatt throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hughes blocks a leg kick.
Hughes throwing a counter right hand but Coryatt manages to avoid it.
Hughes throws a big shot that misses.
Coryatt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Coryatt throws a big shot that misses.
Hughes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hughes there as he acknowledges the shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hughes thuds a left hand into Coryatt's body.
Coryatt misses the shot to the body.
Hughes throwing a counter right hand but Coryatt manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes dips to his left and cracks Coryatt with an uppercut!
Coryatt throws a leg kick
and Hughes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Coryatt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hughes.
A jab from Hughes finds it's way through Coryatt's defenses.
Hughes lands a really nice looking cross but Coryatt seems unphased.
Coryatt throws an off balance right hand
and Hughes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hughes, as that shot connected.

Hughes shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Coryatt's guard.
Hughes throws a strike but Coryatt rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hughes controlling the position.
Hughes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hughes tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Hughes looking for a guillotine here but Coryatt defends easily.

Hughes is looking for a triangle but Coryatt pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hughes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hughes wants to sweep but no luck.
Coryatt wants to stand and escape but instead Hughes has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Hughes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hughes throws a big right hand that misses.
Hughes trying to control the position from guard on top but Coryatt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hughes throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes connects with a couple of short punches.
Hughes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Coryatt can do to turn this around?
Hughes postures up in Coryatt's guard and throws a big left but Coryatt blocks it.
Coryatt keeping moving, preventing Hughes from controlling successfully.
Coryatt wants to stand but Hughes is controlling the position.
Hughes is looking to work some ground and pound but Coryatt has wrist control.
Marcus Hughes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hughes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four 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.
Hughes's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hughes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hughes cracks Coryatt with a solid left hand.
Coryatt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hughes postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hughes not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hughes wants to control from the top but Coryatt keeps moving.
Hughes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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

Marcus Hughes dominated that second 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Coryatt throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hughes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hughes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Coryatt pinned against the cage. Coryatt gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hughes defending well as Coryatt loads up on a big left hand.
Hughes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Coryatt throws out a loose jab but Hughes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Coryatt is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Hughes lands a really nice looking cross but Coryatt seems unphased.
Coryatt steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hughes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Coryatt.
Hughes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coryatt misses with an uppercut. Hughes saw that one coming.
Hughes throws a body punch but Coryatt moves out of range.
Hughes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Coryatt.
Coryatt is looking to clinch but Hughes is avoiding it.
Coryatt looks to throw the jab but Hughes is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Coryatt.
Coryatt lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hughes takes a step back to recover.
Nice shot lands for Coryatt.
Coryatt getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hughes is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A slow jab from Coryatt misses its intended target.
Hughes takes a swing at Coryatt's ribcage but misses.

Hughes throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Coryatt was covering up waiting for the punch and Hughes finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Coryatt controls Hughes momentarily but Hughes frees himself.
Coryatt is looking to stand up but Hughes isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes trying to control but Coryatt is working from the bottom.
Coryatt is adopting a defensive guard.
Hughes throws a big elbow that misses.
Hughes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hughes stands up over Coryatt, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hughes postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes prevents Coryatt from getting back to his feet.
Coryatt preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Coryatt being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Coryatt keeping moving, preventing Hughes from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hughes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Coryatt as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Hughes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Coryatt lands with a shot to the body.
Coryatt bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hughes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Coryatt.
A little feinted left hand from Hughes on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Coryatt throws a hook but Hughes blocks it.
An attempted straight right counter from Hughes misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coryatt throws a push kick but Hughes slaps the foot to one side.
Coryatt moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Coryatt misses with a double jab
and Hughes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Coryatt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hughes circles away quickly and effectively.
Coryatt lands a nice looking body shot.
Coryatt lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hughes missing with a left hand there. Coryatt was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Coryatt misses with a wild body shot.
Hughes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Chris Coryatt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hughes catches Coryatt with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Marcus Hughes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Coryatt lands with a straight right. Hughes didn't see that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Coryatt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hughes has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Hughes!