PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Bilkington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonard Marucio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bilkington
vs
Marucio

176 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
132 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bobby Bilkington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leonard Marucio!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bilkington tries to close the distance and clinch up but Marucio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Leonard Marucio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bilkington blocks a head kick by Marucio.
Marucio throws a head kick that misses.
Marucio swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bilkington dodges the punch combination from Marucio.

Marucio gets caught napping as Bilkington dives in and scores a takedown. Marucio manages to retain guard.
Bilkington connects with a couple of short punches.
Bilkington forces his way into half guard.
Bilkington perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Marucio wants to get back to his feet.
Bilkington controlling the action here.
Bilkington frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bilkington controlling from the full mount.
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!
Bilkington working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Bilkington controlling from the full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marucio tries to buck Bilkington off but he can't manage it.
Bilkington controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You get the feeling that Marucio really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Bilkington controlling from mount.
The referee warns Marucio that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Bilkington controlling the position easily from mount.
Marucio can't escape the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bilkington looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bilkington seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Marucio for as long as he can get away with.

Bilkington is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Marucio to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Marucio shrugs it off.
Bilkington content just to control the position here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marucio tries to lock up and control but Bilkington gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bilkington controlling the pace for now.
Marucio taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bilkington content just to control the position here.
Marucio wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Bilkington controlling the pace for now.
Bilkington scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Marucio is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Bilkington controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marucio tries to lock up and control but Bilkington gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bilkington trying to control but Marucio is having none of it.
Bilkington controlling the pace for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bobby Bilkington wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Bilkington takes a shot right to the bread basket.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marucio stalks Bilkington and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bilkington's face. Bilkington staggers backwards, shaken.
Marucio throws a nice looking combination but Bilkington bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bilkington tries to clinch up.
Marucio stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Marucio wants it to stay on the feet.
Leonard Marucio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marucio's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bilkington under the eye.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Marucio swinging wildly here.
Bilkington wants to clinch but Marucio slips to the side
and Marucio counters with a one-two to the body.

Bilkington is rocked!
Bilkington closes the distance and clinches up with Marucio, looking for a takedown. Bilkington pushes Marucio against the cage but Marucio circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Oh Bilkington is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Marucio throws a 1-2 combo that connects squarely on Bilkington's jaw, knocking him onto his back! Marucio dives in looking to finish as Bilkington flails his arms in a desperate attempt to block Marucio's strikes! Marucio is raining down hammerfists and the ref stops it! Bilkington's desperate flailing just didn't constitute intelligent defence. Some people will probably question the ref's decision but Bilkington was definitely hurt and the ref saved him from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's safety is paramount in this sport.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:16 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Leonard Marucio!
In defeat, Bobby Bilkington stepped up to the mic, saying 'You Can't win them all, the better man won tonight. Next fight i'm gonna come out twice as hungry'.