PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lance Marcy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robbie Hartford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Marcy
vs
Hartford

179 cm
21
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
31
165 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lance Marcy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robbie Hartford!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Dean Styles and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hartford tries to clinch but Marcy moves away

and Marcy counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Marcy.
Still in the clinch, Hartford scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hartford avoiding damage as Marcy throws knees to the body.
Hartford connects with a knee to the head.
Hartford looking to throw knees to the head but Marcy is blocking nicely.
Hartford throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hartford with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Marcy tries to score a body lock takedown but Hartford shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Marcy breaks the clinch.

Marcy shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Marcy showed some decent athleticism there.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Hartford looking for submissions off his back.
Marcy prevents Hartford from improving his position.
Marcy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marcy is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Hartford is refusing to be controlled, as Marcy sits in half guard.
Hartford wants to control but Marcy is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hartford tries to get to full guard but Marcy has control of the leg.

Hartford looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Marcy trying to control the action but Hartford is working from the bottom.
Hartford has hold of Marcy's hands but Marcy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Marcy wants to get back to his feet.

Hartford looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Hartford looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marcy wants to get back to his feet.

Marcy seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marcy tries to stand and escape but Hartford is controlling the position.
Marcy not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Marcy is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hartford doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Marcy.
Marcy 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.

Hartford actively working from the bottom here.
Hartford wants to control but Marcy passes into side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Marcy stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Hartford tries to close the distance and clinch up but Marcy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hartford wants to clinch but Marcy slips to the side

and Marcy counters with a shoot takedown. Hartford fights it but they end up in guard.
Hartford really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Marcy. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Marcy drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Marcy jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Hartford is looking for a triangle here but Marcy uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Hartford is looking to reverse the position.

Marcy looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Marcy is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hartford is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Marcy tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Marcy has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marcy is working Hartford over with some ground and pound from side control.
You can see the frustration on Hartford's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Marcy thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hartford is trying to control Marcy's posture but Marcy avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Marcy tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Marcy wants to control but Hartford is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Marcy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hartford avoids it really well and circles away.
Lance Marcy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hartford moves in looking to clinch but Marcy pushes him off.
Hartford looks to land a right hand but Marcy moved out of range.
Marcy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hartford is fending him off so far but Marcy persists. Nope, Hartford circles away and we're back to standing.

Hartford gets tackled into the cage by Marcy. Marcy maintains the clinch.
Marcy dodges an elbow strike from Hartford.
Hartford throws an elbow that misses.
Hartford misses with a knee strike.
Hartford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Marcy blocks it with crossed arms.
Marcy on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hartford throws an elbow that misses.
Hartford misses with an elbow strike.
Marcy has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hartford avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lance Marcy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marcy decides to pull guard.

Marcy is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Hartford avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Marcy is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hartford defends well.

Hartford drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Marcy manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hartford has Marcy in his guard.
Marcy trying to control but Hartford is working from the bottom.

Hartford throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartford keeping moving, preventing Marcy from controlling successfully.

Hartford is looking for a triangle here but Marcy uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hartford tries to improve position but can't.
Marcy trying to control the action but Hartford is working from the bottom.

Marcy wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hartford, who protects the arm well.

Marcy wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hartford, who protects the arm well.
Marcy trying to control the position but Hartford is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marcy decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Hartford is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Hartford. No joy for Marcy on that attempt.
Hartford throws a right hand that misses
and Marcy counters with a one-two to the body.
Hartford tries to clinch there but Marcy circles away.

Hartford clinches up against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hartford just misses with a elbow thrown towards Marcy's brow.
Hartford lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Marcy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hartford after a bit of a struggle.
Hartford misses with an elbow strike.
Hartford creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Marcy's defenses.
Hartford throws an elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marcy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marcy circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Marcy counter with a right hand.
Robbie Hartford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marcy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Marcy instigates a clinch.
Marcy pushes off an throws an elbow but Hartford leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hartford with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Marcy trying to control the position but instead, Hartford has worked for underhooks and has pushed Marcy into the cage.
Hartford tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marcy is working for takedown but Hartford is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hartford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Marcy blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Marcy dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hartford closes the distance looking to clinch
and Marcy counters with an inside leg kick.
Hartford is looking to clinch but Marcy is avoiding it.
Hartford tries to close the distance and clinch up but Marcy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hartford tries to clinch up.
Hartford tries to clinch there but Marcy circles away.

Marcy has taken the fight to the clinch.
Marcy avoids the elbow strike from Hartford, against the cage.
Hartford lands a knee to the body.

Marcy decides to pull guard.

Marcy is looking for a triangle here but Hartford uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Marcy is not content to let Hartford control the position.
Marcy is looking to regain half guard here but Hartford keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hartford looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Hartford wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Marcy, who protects the arm well.
Marcy is not content to let Hartford control the position.
Marcy manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Hartford is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Marcy pulls his head out easily.

Marcy is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hartford defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marcy works his way into side control.

Marcy working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hartford is not content to let Marcy control the position.
Lance Marcy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Marcy decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hartford to his feet.

Marcy gets a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marcy passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marcy connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Hartford wants to control but Marcy is having none of it.
Hartford is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Marcy lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Hartford is looking to get to half guard.
Hartford sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Hartford takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hartford is refusing to be controlled, as Marcy sits in half guard.

Hartford looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marcy is looking to take a break and control but Hartford is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marcy is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hartford has managed to free his arm - good work.
Marcy is trying to control the action in half guard but Hartford is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Marcy uses his free foot to push down on Hartford's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hartford.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marcy controlling his opponent.
Marcy fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hartford is wriggling around trying to escape.
Marcy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hartford sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Marcy clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice sprawl there from Hartford as Marcy shoots in.

Hartford has managed to clinch.
Hartford tries to land knees in the clinch but Marcy avoids the damage to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Hartford fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hartford.
Hartford tries to land a knee to the head but Marcy blocks with his arms.
Hartford throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hartford misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Marcy.
Hartford lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hartford creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Marcy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Marcy successfully pulls guard.
Marcy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hartford trying to control the position from guard on top but Marcy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hartford might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Marcy haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marcy has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Hartford avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Marcy has Hartford pulled in close to control his posture.

Marcy has his foot on Hartford's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hartford works his way back into a safe position though.
Marcy keeping moving, preventing Hartford from controlling successfully.
Marcy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hartford's guard.
Marcy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hartford swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hartford had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Marcy defends it easily.
Hartford is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Marcy is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marcy's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Marcy trying to control but Hartford is working from the bottom.

Marcy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Marcy trying to control the position from guard on top but Hartford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lance Marcy.
Hartford wants to clinch up but Marcy keeps it at a distance.
Robbie Hartford is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hartford closes the distance and clinches.
Hartford throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hartford tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Marcy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hartford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Marcy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Marcy fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hartford to the ground. Marcy is now in Hartford's guard.
Marcy passes Hartford's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Hartford actively working from the bottom here.
Marcy is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marcy with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Marcy get's back to his feet.
Marcy shoots for a double leg takedown but Hartford sprawls well. He's pushed Marcy's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Marcy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hartford closes the distance but Marcy moves to the side
and Marcy counters with a three punch combo that has Hartford backing up. Hartford nods at Marcy to acknowledge the strikes.
Marcy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hartford's waist but Hartford gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Marcy off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lance Marcy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hartford wants to clinch
and Marcy counters with a head kick.

Hartford gets caught napping as Marcy dives in and scores a takedown. Hartford manages to retain guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marcy tries to free his leg and advance position but Hartford is retaining full guard.
Marcy sitting in guard here, content to control.

Hartford escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Marcy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Marcy had his way with Robbie Hartford in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Marcy circles away from the clinch attempt

and Marcy decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hartford's guard.
Marcy trying to control the position from guard on top but Hartford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marcy pushes down on Hartford's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Marcy is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hartford defends it well.

Marcy is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hartford is just riding it out for now. Marcy eventually gives up the hold.

Marcy is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hartford sees it coming and defends easily.
Marcy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hartford can do to turn this around?
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartford is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hartford is looking to escape.
Marcy trying to control the pace.
Hartford is trying to get back to full guard.
Marcy looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Marcy slips a nice elbow through Hartford's hands, connecting with Hartford's forehead.
Hartford is trying to get back to full guard.
Hartford works his way to full guard. Good work.
Marcy lands a couple of digs.
Marcy postures up and lands a big shot to Hartford's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hartford has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Marcy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Marcy slips nicely into half guard.
Hartford taking some punishment here, with Marcy in his half guard.
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!

Marcy is trying to work for a kimura but Hartford is defending well.

Marcy looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Marcy wants to work for an arm triangle but Hartford is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartford is in trouble now - Marcy has advanced to mount!
Marcy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Marcy cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hartford in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hartford can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hartford tries to hold on but Marcy postures up.
Marcy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hartford looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Marcy is hanging on to Hartford's back as he tries to escape.

Marcy looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marcy has the hooks in. Hartford is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Marcy is trying to stick to Hartford's back but Hartford is turning into Marcy. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Marcy's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Hartford.

Hartford drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Marcy dives on top into guard.
Marcy pushing down on Hartford's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Marcy is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hartford sees it coming and defends easily.
Marcy trying to control the action but Hartford is working from the bottom.

Hartford actively working from the bottom here.
Marcy is looking to take a break and control but Hartford is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Marcy passes to full mount!
Marcy looking to control but Hartford is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lance Marcy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Marcy, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 50:45
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 50:45
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lance Marcy!
Lance Marcy is the new lightweight champion!
After winning the bout, Lance Marcy thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.