PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joey Marks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Salvador Rosario (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Marks
vs
Rosario

187 cm
21
160 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

182 cm
22
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joey Marks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Salvador Rosario!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Thiago Cunha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marks moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Marks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rosario.

Marks closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Marks tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Marks has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rosario really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Marks. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Marks is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rosario has escaped the position, nice work there.

Marks stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Marks moves out of range of the strikes.

Marks shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rosario wants to stand and escape but Marks is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rosario swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Marks passes Rosario's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Marks takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Marks is working for a submission of some sort.
Marks seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rosario does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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.
Marks not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Marks is working for a submission of some sort.

Marks is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Rosario still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Rosario has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Rosario wants to stand but Marks is controlling his arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marks sneaks back into half guard.
Marks gets back to full guard.
Rosario is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Marks wants to sweep here but Rosario controlling him for the moment.
Rosario must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Marks had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Rosario is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Marks Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Rosario's back instead.
Marks somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

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.
Rosario staying busy and making it hard for Marks to control.
Rosario covering up well under a series of strikes from Marks.
Rosario trying to get back to his feet but Marks is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Marks dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rosario jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Joey Marks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marks scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rosario tries to bum rush Marks with a series of wild strikes but Marks uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Marks misses with an uppercut.
Marks slips under a jab.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Marks.
The strikes coming from Marks are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Marks trying to control the action but Rosario is working from the bottom.

Marks is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rosario is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Marks advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marks is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Rosario can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Marks has hold of Rosario's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Rosario manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Marks wants to finish this one by submission but Rosario is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Marks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Marks jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Rosario manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Marks is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rosario knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rosario is trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marks content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Marks has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Rosario works the jab nicely.
Rosario throws a combination that misses

and Marks counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Marks wants to take a breather but Rosario is having none of it.
Marks with the ground and pound but Rosario uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Marks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rosario is keeping the position for now.
Marks sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marks trying to control the position from guard on top but Rosario is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rosario is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rosario can do anything to dispel that myth.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Marks shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rosario as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Marks dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Rosario throws a body punch but Marks moves out of range.
Rosario falls off balance throwing a combination
and Marks counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Marks really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rosario throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Marks fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rosario throws a series of punches but Marks avoids them all with ease.
Rosario throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rosario throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Marks.
Marks shoots in for a takedown but Rosario shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Marks moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Marks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rosario keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Marks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rosario throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marks dives in and grabs Rosario's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rosario pushes down on Marks's head and hops out.
Rosario will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rosario swinging wilding here.

Marks closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Marks lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rosario takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marks is pushing down on Rosario's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rosario is fighting to maintain full guard but Marks has managed to sneak the leg through.
Marks trying to mount his opponent but Rosario defends it.
Marks is controlling the pace.
Salvador Rosario has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Marks wants to control but Rosario is keeping him busy.
Marks is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Marks thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marks looking to ground and pound but Rosario is blocking nicely.

Marks goes for an armbar but Rosario turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Rosario.
Marks working a defensive guard here.

Marks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Marks trying to keep a closed guard but Rosario is proving a slippery customer.
Marks wants to stand but Rosario is controlling the position.

Rosario has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Marks to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Rosario is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Marks pulls down on the head and he's put Rosario to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Joey Marks!