PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between ar ab (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marko Ljubicic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

ab
vs
Ljubicic

150 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
24
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Self confident

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, ar ab!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marko Ljubicic!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Columbo Gatti and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
ab closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ljubicic circles away.
ab shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ljubicic defends it nicely.

ab gets in close and instigates a clinch.
ab is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ljubicic pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for ar ab. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ljubicic breaks from the clinch.

Ljubicic lands a big head kick that sends ab tumbling to the mat! Ljubicic takes a step backwards and waves ab back to his feet - he wants the finish!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ljubicic lands with a slapping head kick.

ab is rocked!
Ljubicic fails with the takedown.
Oh ab is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ljubicic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ljubicic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ljubicic looks winded!
Horrible takedown by ab or perhaps it was just good defense by Ljubicic which made him look bad.
Ljubicic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ljubicic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ljubicic throws a head kick but ab moves out of range.

ab moves into the clinch.
Ljubicic is trying to force a seperation but ab has the dominant position.

Ljubicic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
ab closes the distance and clinches up with Ljubicic, looking for a takedown. ab pushes Ljubicic against the cage but Ljubicic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
ab tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ljubicic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
ab seems to have got his legs back now.
ab shoots in but no luck this time.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for ab. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
ab shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ljubicic as he avoids it easily.
ab avoids the head kick by Ljubicic.

Ljubicic gets tackled into the cage by ab. ab maintains the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on ab's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ab has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
ab really is a fat lump.
ab lands with a light punch inside.
ab has Ljubicic pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ljubicic manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ljubicic can't break the clinch.
ab tries to pull guard but Ljubicic won't allow it.
ab wants a takedown but no success here.

ab manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
ab pulls Ljubicic in to control the position.
ab trying to keep a closed guard but Ljubicic is proving a slippery customer.
ab has Ljubicic pulled in close to control his posture.
ab might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

We're going to have a standup here because ar ab wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Ljubicic misses with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ab throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
ab throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ljubicic's waist but Ljubicic gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing ab off to one side.
Ljubicic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
ab shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ljubicic but Ljubicic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ljubicic circles away from the clinch attempt.

Ljubicic gets tackled into the cage by ab. ab maintains the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

ab ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. ab no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ljubicic looking to pass the guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as ab holds on and takes a little breather.
ab 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

ab looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
ab wants to sweep but no luck.
ab working a defensive guard here.
ab pulls Ljubicic in to control the position.
ab wants to sweep but no luck.
ab is trying to keep Ljubicic in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up because ar ab just wasn't active enough.
Ljubicic misses with a head kick.
Ljubicic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
ab shoots in looking for a takedown but Ljubicic manages to keep the fight standing, pushing ab's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

ab closes the distance and clinches.
Ljubicic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

ab manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ljubicic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
ab tries to land a sweep but no joy.

ab is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ljubicic is looking to stand up but ab won't let him.
ab avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ljubicic has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of ab is proving hard to escape from.
ab pulls Ljubicic in close to prevent any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
ab will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
ab wants to stand and escape but Ljubicic is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Marko Ljubicic will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

ab shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ljubicic as he jumps to the side.
Ljubicic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Ljubicic.
ab throws a head kick that misses.
ab misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ljubicic moves to clinch but ab breaks away
and ab counters with a one-two to the body.
Sloppy strikes from ab. Those never looked like landing.
Ljubicic throws a head kick but ab moves out of range.
ab misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
ab tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
ab blocks the body kick.
ab misses with a body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ljubicic leaves ab 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 ar ab. That's going to take a lot out of him.
ab closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ab takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
ab throws a head kick that misses.
Ljubicic throws a head kick that misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from ab lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ljubicic has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ljubicic and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ljubicic throws a head kick but ab moves out of range.
ab shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ljubicic as he avoids it easily.
ar ab is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
ab fails in his attempt to clinch.
ab lands with a nice combination. Ljubicic backs away looking to recover.
ab fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Marko Ljubicic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ljubicic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
ab looks for a takedown but Ljubicic sprawls well.
Ljubicic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ljubicic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
ab fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ljubicic avoids it really well and circles away.
ab fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ljubicic connects with a high kick.
ab blocks a head kick by Ljubicic.
Ljubicic leaves ab with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
ab avoids the head kick by Ljubicic.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ljubicic moves out of range of the body kick.
ab throws a low kick but Ljubicic avoids it.
ab misses with a takedown attempt - Ljubicic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Ljubicic.
ab tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ljubicic paws at him with a jab and circles away.

ab rushes Ljubicic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ljubicic wants to get back to striking at distance but ab won't allow it.
Ljubicic is trying to push ab away but ab has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ljubicic blocks an elbow strike.
ab is trying to drag Ljubicic to the mat but Ljubicic just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
ab is looking for a takedown.
ab is trying to push Ljubicic away but Ljubicic has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ljubicic tries to break the clinch but ab is controlling the position.
ab is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ljubicic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ab is trying to force a seperation but Ljubicic has the dominant position.
ab tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
ab is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ljubicic landing knees to the head.
ab drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ljubicic tries to pull guard but ab holds him up against the cage and eventually Ljubicic drops back down to his feet.
ab tries for a takedown. No joy.
ab tries to pull guard but Ljubicic holds him up against the cage and eventually ab drops back down to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
ab is trying to push Ljubicic away but Ljubicic has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Ljubicic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that ar ab will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Ljubicic throws a sloppy head kick and ab moves out of range easily.

Ljubicic clinches with his opponent.

Ljubicic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
ab shoots in looking for a takedown. Ljubicic tries to sprawl out of it but ab keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ljubicic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ljubicic throws a head kick that half lands.
ab fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ljubicic avoids it really well and circles away.
ab fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for ar ab. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ljubicic walks into a jab.
ab changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ljubicic tries to avoid it but ab manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ljubicic to the ground. Ljubicic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ljubicic throws a head kick that misses.
Ljubicic throws a half hearted mid kick.
ab closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ljubicic circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ab swats away the attempt to clinch by Ljubicic.
ab moves in looking to clinch but Ljubicic pushes him off.
Ljubicic stuffs the takedown.
Ljubicic thuds his shin into the meat of ab's side.
ab is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ljubicic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ljubicic tries to clinch up.
Horrible takedown by Ljubicic or perhaps it was just good defense by ab which made him look bad.
Ljubicic scoring well with a low kick there.
ab shoots for a double leg takedown but Ljubicic sprawls well. He's pushed ab's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
ab avoids the head kick by Ljubicic.
ab throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ljubicic stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
ab shoots in but Ljubicic avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ljubicic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
ab moves out of range as Ljubicic throws a body kick.
ab shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ljubicic as he jumps to the side.
Horrible takedown by ab or perhaps it was just good defense by Ljubicic which made him look bad.
ab fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ljubicic lands a head kick. ab smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Ljubicic closes the distance and pushes ab back into the cage.
ab is trying to force a seperation but Ljubicic has the dominant position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

ab pulls guard.
Ljubicic would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ljubicic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ljubicic stopping the sweep attempt from ab.
Ljubicic trying to control the position from guard on top but ab is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
ab working a defensive guard here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ljubicic misses with a kick to the body.
Marko Ljubicic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ljubicic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ab is looking to clinch but Ljubicic is avoiding it.
Ljubicic dodges the punch combination from ab.
ab bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from ab is defended easily by Ljubicic.
Ljubicic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

ab clinches with his opponent.
ab keeps control of Ljubicic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
ab tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ljubicic smiles and moves away.
ab shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ljubicic sprawls well. Ljubicic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. ab gets slowly back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marko Ljubicic.
I think Ljubicic 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Marko Ljubicic!