PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chris Marsland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alan Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chris Marsland could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Alan Smith's chin.

Marsland
vs
Smith

184 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Marsland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Alan Smith!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Atkins and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marsland has Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Smith prevents a takedown attempt there.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Marsland wants the takedown. Smith is fighting it off but Marsland persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Smith's guard against the cage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Marsland trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marsland won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
Smith keeping full guard, as Marsland tries to pass.
Marsland not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Marsland trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marsland thows a big elbow that misses.
Marsland lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsland is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Marsland trying to move into half guard but instead Smith has managed to sweep!
Marsland bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.
Marsland looking to pass the guard.
Marsland lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Marsland tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
Marsland would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Marsland trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith wants to stand up but Marsland is controlling him.
Marsland not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsland looking to pass the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Marsland lands a two punch combo.

Marsland looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Marsland has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Marsland is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Marsland slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Smith wants to stand up but Marsland is controlling him.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsland works over Smith with some ground and pound from guard.
Smith utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Smith working a defensive guard here.

Smith manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Marsland shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smith cracks the inside of Marsland's front leg.
Marsland is looking to clinch.
Marsland rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smith stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Marsland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Marsland throws a hook but Smith avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Marsland leaning against his opponent.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Marsland is blocking nicely.
Marsland has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smith is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smith scores with a knee to the head.
Marsland gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Marsland tries for a takedown. No joy.
A bit of stalling here from Smith.
Smith misses with a knee to the head.
Smith with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Marsland jumps into guard, dragging Smith to the mat.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Marsland.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Marsland dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Marsland fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Marsland tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt

and Smith moves into the clinch.
Marsland tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the cage and eventually Marsland drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Marsland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marsland gets underhooks to prevent Smith's takedown attempt.

Marsland manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marsland shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Smith is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Marsland scores with a couple of nice shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is refusing to be controlled, as Marsland sits in half guard.
Marsland works his foot free and advances to mount.

Marsland goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Smith turns into him and now he's in Marsland's guard.
Smith wanted to stand there but Marsland had control of the position.

Smith gets to his feet - Marsland follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsland looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Marsland has his takedown stuffed

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
Smith landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Marsland swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Marsland tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Marsland changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Marsland doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Smith counters with a three punch combo that has Marsland backing up. Marsland nods at Smith to acknowledge the strikes.

Marsland darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Marsland is trying to break free.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Marsland misses with a takedown

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Marsland pushes Smith off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsland shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Marsland has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smith finds it's way round the side to connect with Marsland's head.
Marsland gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Smith counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Marsland shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Marsland walks into a left hand.
Chris Marsland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marsland tries to work over Smith's front leg with a kick but Smith checks it.
Marsland with a lazy takedown attempt

and Smith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Marsland's guard.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marsland has a closed guard, preventing Smith from standing up.
Smith is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marsland working a defensive guard but Smith passes into half guard.
Marsland trying to hold on to Smith's head to control him but Smith postures up.
Alan Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
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. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Marsland's temple.
Marsland is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Marsland flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Smith gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Marsland shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Marsland's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Marsland shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Marsland showed some decent athleticism there.
Marsland trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith tries to roll over but Marsland keeps him under control.
Marsland uses his free foot to push down on Smith's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Smith.
Marsland trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Marsland cracks Smith with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Marsland connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsland dominating with strikes here.
Marsland looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Marsland is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Marsland keeps the fight on the outside.
Marsland looks to land a combination. Smith sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Marsland throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Marsland pinned against the cage. Marsland gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smith wants to clinch

and Marsland counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Smith!
Smith tries to improve his position but instead Marsland has taken his back!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Marsland's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Smith defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Marsland's arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Marsland.

Marsland working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet but Marsland has full control of the position and if anything, Smith has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Smith is keeping busy.
Smith is covering up but some of the strikes from Marsland are getting through and doing damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsland controls the position.

Marsland patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Marsland throwing damaging strikes from the back! Smith could be in trouble here!
Smith trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Marsland missing with punches from the back.
Smith is trying to break free.

Marsland looking for the RNC.
Marsland wants to control but Smith is keeping busy.

That's four 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.
Marsland throwing damaging strikes from the back! Smith could be in trouble here!
Smith takes a big shot to the side of the head.

Marsland is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Smith defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Smith breaks Marsland's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Marsland 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.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marsland is keeping the position for now.
Marsland 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Marsland showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Marsland has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Marsland!