PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dennis Cunningham (ranked 2207 p4p, 2497 weight class) and Keanu Marlin (ranked 259 p4p, 293 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Keanu Marlin enters the cage!

Cunningham
vs
Marlin

193 cm
22
277
6 - 4 - 0

194 cm
21
279
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Honest Apparel ($30 SPECIAL ALL Shorts!)

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Dennis Cunningham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Keanu Marlin!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cunningham drives through with a takedown into Marlin's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Cunningham stopping the sweep attempt from Marlin.
Cunningham landing with the ground and pound.
Marlin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Cunningham is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cunningham looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cunningham postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cunningham makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cunningham looking to pass the guard.
Cunningham 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cunningham content to stall in guard here.
Cunningham postures up in Marlin's guard and throws a big left but Marlin blocks it.
Cunningham trying to control but Marlin is working from the bottom.
Cunningham is working Marlin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Marlin wants to sweep here but Cunningham controlling him for the moment.
Cunningham landing some decent shots from guard.
Cunningham stopping the sweep attempt from Marlin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marlin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cunningham sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marlin can't keep his opponent in guard - Cunningham advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Marlin wants to control but Cunningham is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham not doing much here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Marlin just misses with a punch to the body.
Cunningham drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Cunningham throws an overhand right that lands on Marlin's shoulder, as Marlin tries to avoid the shot.
Cunningham uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marlin.
Cunningham changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Marlin misses with a wild body shot.
A jab from Marlin misses.
Cunningham swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cunningham was well out of range. Poor timing from Marlin.
Cunningham throws a body punch but Marlin moves out of range.
Nice shot lands for Cunningham.
Cunningham moves away from the strike by Marlin.
Cunningham half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Marlin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cunningham changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Marlin has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Marlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Cunningham is just out of range.
Cunningham misses with a wild body shot.
A nice side step and Marlin releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Cunningham misses the shot to the body.
Cunningham keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Marlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cunningham swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A nice side step and Marlin releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cunningham.
Marlin now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Cunningham takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Marlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Cunningham will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Marlin lands with a straight right. Cunningham didn't see that one coming.
Marlin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cunningham sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Marlin throws a right and a left that Cunningham avoids nicely.
Marlin scores with a jab to the body.

Marlin gets caught napping as Cunningham dives in and scores a takedown. Marlin manages to retain guard.

Marlin has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Cunningham is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marlin cracks Cunningham with a nice body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cunningham.
Marlin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Marlin.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Marlin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Marlin breaks from the clinch.
Cunningham smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Good exchange - Cunningham coming out on top.
Marlin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cunningham dives in for a single leg takedown but Marlin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dennis Cunningham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cunningham wants to take the fight to the mat but Marlin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Marlin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cunningham is working for takedown but Marlin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Marlin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Cunningham is trying to maintain a safe position but Marlin gets an underhook and turns Cunningham into the cage.
Cunningham fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cunningham misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Marlin manages to break the clinch.
Cunningham with a lazy takedown attempt
and Marlin counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Marlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cunningham misses with a hook
and Marlin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Marlin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Marlin throws an overhand right that lands on Cunningham's shoulder, as Cunningham tries to avoid the shot.
Marlin lands a nice looking body shot.
Marlin throws a lazy body kick
and Cunningham counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Marlin scores with a jab to the body.
Marlin catches Cunningham with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Cunningham misses with an uppercut.
A little jabbing left from Marlin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Marlin connects with a crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cunningham slips a jab from Marlin.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Marlin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marlin throws a counter combo.
Marlin misses with a body shot.
Cunningham appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Cunningham walks into a straight right hand from Marlin.
Cunningham feints a jab promting Marlin to slip. Cunningham then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Marlin slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Cunningham throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Marlin! But no joy.

Cunningham scores with a takedown into Marlin's guard.

Marlin has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Cunningham is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Marlin tries a body shot but Cunningham blocks it.
Marlin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cunningham has him pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Marlin.
Cunningham is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Cunningham.
Marlin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Marlin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Marlin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Marlin breaks from the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Marlin misses the target.
Marlin misses with a wild body shot.
Marlin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cunningham moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Marlin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cunningham.
Marlin looks to land a combination but Cunningham avoids it well.
Marlin jabs at Cunningham's body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Marlin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cunningham throws a lazy right hand but Marlin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cunningham uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marlin.
Marlin misses the jab.
Nice shot by Marlin.
Marlin moves into range and connects with a jab.
Marlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cunningham was well out of range. Poor timing from Marlin.
Marlin is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cunningham rather than just go for the knockout.
Marlin scores with the left hand. Cunningham knows he should have avoided that one.
Keanu Marlin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Marlin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marlin lands with a shot to the body.
Marlin lands a nice hook to Cunningham's body. Cunningham takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cunningham throws a body shot but no joy.
Marlin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Marlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cunningham was well out of range. Poor timing from Marlin.
Cunningham drops down looking for a counter takedown but Marlin sprawls and moves away.
Keanu Marlin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marlin swings for the body but Cunningham moves out of range.
Cunningham takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Marlin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cunningham.
Marlin lands an overhand right.
Marlin cracks Cunningham with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Marlin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cunningham looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Marlin falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cunningham counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Cunningham shoots in and bounces Marlin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cunningham stops Marlin from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marlin is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Cunningham presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Marlin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Cunningham breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cunningham throws a lazy uppercut
and Marlin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cunningham avoids the body shot from Marlin.
Marlin takes a swing at Cunningham's ribcage but misses.
Marlin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cunningham manages to avoid it.
Cunningham drops down looking for a counter takedown but Marlin sprawls and moves away.
Cunningham moves out of range of the strikes.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cunningham.
Marlin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Cunningham working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cunningham is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Cunningham.
Marlin trying to control but Cunningham postures up.
Marlin is trying to stand up here but Cunningham is controlling him well.
Cunningham working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cunningham lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Marlin is looking to escape.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Marlin can do anything to dispel that myth.
Cunningham trying to advance position but Marlin counters by regaining guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham postures up and lands a big shot to Marlin's brow.
Cunningham with a nice head shot there.
Cunningham stops Marlin from standing up.
Marlin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cunningham won't allow Marlin to sweep him here.
Cunningham chips away with some ground and pound.
Marlin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Marlin takes a swing at Cunningham's ribcage but misses.
Marlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cunningham fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Marlin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cunningham has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Marlin connects with the punch.
Cunningham's jab looks to have found its range, popping Marlin under the eye.
Marlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Marlin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Marlin lands a nice looking body shot.
Cunningham throws a body shot but no joy.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Marlin throws a hook but Cunningham avoids it easily.
Cunningham is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Marlin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cunningham.
Marlin slaps away a takedown attempt from Cunningham, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cunningham avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cunningham throws a lazy right hand but Marlin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cunningham uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marlin.
Marlin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cunningham throws out the jab.
Cunningham avoids the body shot from Marlin.
Marlin with a nice cross.
Cunningham scores with a shot to the body.
Marlin leaves Cunningham with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Marlin lands a nice hook to Cunningham's body. Cunningham takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Marlin loads up on a big right hand but Cunningham slips the punch.
Marlin just misses with a punch to the body.
Cunningham throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice sprawl there from Marlin as Cunningham shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dennis Cunningham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marlin scores with a jab to the head.
Marlin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cunningham.
Marlin misses with a looping right.
Cunningham misses with a looping right.
Marlin sizes up Cunningham with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham loads up on a big right hand but Marlin slips the punch.
Cunningham shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Marlin as he avoids it easily.
Marlin misses with a body shot.
Marlin lands a nice looking body shot.
Marlin jabs at Cunningham's body.
Cunningham misses with a double jab.
A countering left hand to the body from Marlin misses.
Cunningham uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Marlin.
Cunningham takes a body punch but keeps moving.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marlin loads up on a big right hand but Cunningham slips the punch.
Marlin throws a right and a left that Cunningham avoids nicely.
Cunningham swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Marlin cracks Cunningham with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Marlin darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Cunningham pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cunningham looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Cunningham walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Cunningham takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A left lands for Marlin.
Nice straight punches there by Marlin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Marlin.

Cunningham dives in and scores a takedown into Marlin's guard.

Marlin manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cunningham stalling the fight.
Marlin is trying to push Cunningham away but Cunningham has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cunningham tries a body shot but Marlin blocks it.
Cunningham drops down looking for an ankle pick but Marlin pulls his leg out and moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keanu Marlin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Cunningham's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Marlin throws a one two combo.
A swing and a miss from Cunningham.
Marlin takes a swing at Cunningham's ribcage but misses.
Cunningham shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Marlin as he avoids it easily.
Marlin looks to land a left hand but Cunningham moved out of range nicely.
Marlin takes a swing at Cunningham's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cunningham throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Marlin moves out of range of the strikes.
Marlin takes a swing at Cunningham's ribcage but misses.
Marlin throws a looping overhand right but Cunningham ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marlin takes a swing at Cunningham's ribcage but misses.

Marlin tries to sprawl but Cunningham drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Marlin trying to control here.
Cunningham lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cunningham seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Marlin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cunningham working over Marlin with some ground and pound. Marlin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cunningham is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Cunningham is keen to just control but Marlin is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marlin is looking to improve his position.
Marlin is trying to stand.
Marlin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cunningham lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Marlin tries to kick Cunningham off but Cunningham keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Marlin keeping hold of Cunningham's head, controlling as best he can.
Marlin is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marlin is trying to control but can't.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Marlin misses the jab.
Cunningham scores with a jab to the head.
Marlin jabs Cunningham to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cunningham staying out of range there.
Cunningham swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Cunningham looking to score a takedown here. Marlin is defending well but Cunningham drives through and ends up in Marlin's guard.
Marlin wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Cunningham manages to pass to side control.

Marlin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marlin is looking to escape.
Cunningham is nestled in close to Marlin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Cunningham trying to control from half guard but Marlin is working away.
Marlin wants to improve his position but Cunningham is controlling well.
Marlin is still trying to improve position.
Cunningham is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Marlin is looking to improve his position.
Cunningham seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Marlin has a hand on Cunningham's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Cunningham takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Marlin tries to lock up and control but Cunningham gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Cunningham raining down shots from the mount!
Cunningham controlling the position easily from mount.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Marlin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Marlin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Marlin regains half guard.
Marlin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cunningham is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Cunningham working the head and body with strikes.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham trying to control from half guard but Marlin is working away.
Cunningham working the head and body with strikes.
Marlin is trying to stand.
Marlin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cunningham.
Cunningham is controlling the pace.
Marlin won't allow Cunningham to pass to mount.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Marlin has one foot on Cunningham's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Marlin keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Marlin stuffs the takedown attempt from Cunningham. Cunningham gets slowly back to his feet.
Cunningham throws an overhand right that lands on Marlin's shoulder, as Marlin tries to avoid the shot.
Cunningham throws a shot from downtown. Marlin moves away and avoids it.
Marlin let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Marlin throws a series of punches but Cunningham avoids them all with ease.
Cunningham is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A big left from Cunningham misses.
Nice body punch from Cunningham.
Marlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Cunningham is just out of range.
A big left from Marlin misses.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Marlin leaves Cunningham with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dennis Cunningham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cunningham dodges the punch combination from Marlin.
Cunningham waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Marlin.
Cunningham cracks Marlin with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Marlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cunningham appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Marlin misses with a body shot.
Cunningham appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Cunningham ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cunningham misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Marlin misses with a looping right.
Cunningham went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Dennis Cunningham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Keanu Marlin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Marlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dennis Cunningham.
I think Marlin 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keanu Marlin!