PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abu Al Zarqawi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackson Marks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Al Zarqawi
vs
Marks

180 cm
27
195 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

180 cm
26
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abu Al Zarqawi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jackson Marks !
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marks shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Al Zarqawi as he jumps to the side.
Al Zarqawi throws a hook but Marks blocks it.
Al Zarqawi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Marks tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Al Zarqawi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Marks looks to land a left hand but Al Zarqawi moved out of range nicely.
Al Zarqawi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marks moves away.
Al Zarqawi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice takedown defense from Al Zarqawi. No joy for Marks on that attempt.
Al Zarqawi keeps the fight on the outside.
Marks moves away from the strike by Al Zarqawi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Zarqawi throws a shot from downtown. Marks moves away and avoids it.
Marks is trying hard to land a takedown here. Al Zarqawi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Abu Al Zarqawi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jackson Marks .
Al Zarqawi avoids the body shot from Marks .
Marks tries to land a front kick but Al Zarqawi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Al Zarqawi rushes Marks and presses him up against the ropes.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Marks just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Al Zarqawi tries to score a body lock takedown but Marks shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Al Zarqawi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Al Zarqawi has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Marks regains guard immediately.
Marks is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Zarqawi is fighting to break Marks 's control of his arms but Marks is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Al Zarqawi tries to free his leg and advance position but Marks is retaining full guard.
Marks wants to stand but Al Zarqawi is controlling the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Jackson Marks has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Al Zarqawi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Al Zarqawi throws a jab when Marks was well out of range.
Marks takes one to the chin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al Zarqawi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Marks quickly recovers to half guard.
Al Zarqawi looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Marks gets back to full guard.
Al Zarqawi postures up.
Al Zarqawi tries to free his leg and advance position but Marks is retaining full guard.
Marks lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Al Zarqawi!
Al Zarqawi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Al Zarqawi is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marks avoids the attempt from Al Zarqawi to control.
Al Zarqawi is wriggling around trying to escape.
Al Zarqawi wants to control but Marks is having none of it.
Al Zarqawi is trying desperately to improve position.
Marks thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marks prevents Al Zarqawi from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abu Al Zarqawi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Marks tries to clinch up but Al Zarqawi circles away and keeps his distance.
Marks shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Al Zarqawi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Marks moves in looking to clinch but Al Zarqawi pushes him off.
Al Zarqawi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marks moves away.
Al Zarqawi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marks moves away.
A shot to the body from Marks misses
and Al Zarqawi counters with a left to the body.
Marks takes a swing at Al Zarqawi's ribcage but misses.

Al Zarqawi feints and as Marks raises his hands in defense, Al Zarqawi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Marks trying to keep a closed guard but Al Zarqawi is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marks controlling Al Zarqawi's posture.
Marks is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Marks is trying to keep Al Zarqawi in close.
Al Zarqawi advances to half guard.
Abu Al Zarqawi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Al Zarqawi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Marks keeps working.
Al Zarqawi stops Marks from getting back to his feet.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Al Zarqawi connects with a nice short shot to Marks 's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Al Zarqawi is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Marks is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Abu Al Zarqawi!