PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Opossum Minister (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marshall Charbonneau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Charbonneau has chosen Stromae - Formidable as his entrance music. Marshall Charbonneau has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Opossum Minister's chin.

Minister
vs
Charbonneau

176 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Opossum Minister!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marshall Charbonneau!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Charbonneau tries to move into range but Minister moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Minister misses with an uppercut. Charbonneau saw that one coming.
Charbonneau feints the counter takedown.
Charbonneau throws a body shot but no joy.
Charbonneau throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Minister.

Minister gets caught napping as Charbonneau dives in and scores a takedown. Minister manages to retain guard.
Charbonneau trying to move into half guard but instead Minister has managed to sweep!

Minister tries to free his leg and advance position but Charbonneau is retaining full guard.
Minister being controlled here momentarily.
Minister trying to control but Charbonneau is working from the bottom.
Minister trying to stand up but can't free himself from Charbonneau's guard.
Charbonneau is controlling Minister's posture.
Minister wants to control from the top but Charbonneau keeps moving.
Minister engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Charbonneau keeping moving, preventing Minister from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minister pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Charbonneau is keeping the position for now.
Charbonneau is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Charbonneau controlling the pace.
Charbonneau thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Minister's head.
Charbonneau trying to control from half guard but Minister is working away.
Minister looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Charbonneau seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charbonneau wants to control but Minister is keeping him busy.
Charbonneau is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Minister tries to roll over but Charbonneau keeps him under control.
Charbonneau tries to pass to full mount but Minister defends it.
Minister is not content to let Charbonneau control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minister looks to land a left hand but Charbonneau moved out of range nicely.
Minister fails with an attempt to clinch.
Charbonneau connects with a good right hand that stumbles Minister. Minister circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Charbonneau shoots in looking for a takedown but Minister manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Charbonneau's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Charbonneau misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Minister.
Charbonneau avoids a punch combination nicely.
Charbonneau fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Minister manages to avoid it.
Charbonneau throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Minister misses with a jab, cross combination.
Charbonneau throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Minister.
Charbonneau swings for the body but Minister moves out of range.
Charbonneau misses with a body shot.
A slow jab from Minister misses its intended target.
Charbonneau feints the counter takedown.
Minister throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Minister tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Charbonneau was well out of range. Poor timing from Minister.
Charbonneau looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Charbonneau is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Minister rather than just go for the knockout.
Charbonneau ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Minister moves away.
Minister is looking to counter the offense by Charbonneau and move into the clinch.
Charbonneau avoids a punch combination nicely.
Charbonneau is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nice defenses there by Minister.
Minister is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minister throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The fight stays on the outside here - Minister looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Minister swings and misses with a hook to the body.
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!
Charbonneau uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Minister.
Minister keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Charbonneau.
Opossum Minister is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Minister avoids the body shot from Charbonneau.
Minister tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Charbonneau manages to circle out of the way.
The fighters circling - Charbonneau throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Minister swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Minister turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Minister misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Charbonneau.
Charbonneau throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A swing and a miss from Charbonneau.
Charbonneau misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Charbonneau. Minister does a little dance to reset his feet.
Charbonneau throws a shot from downtown. Minister moves away and avoids it.
Minister connects with a solid leg kick.
Charbonneau slips a jab from Minister.
Minister moves away from the strike by Charbonneau.
It looked like Minister was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Marshall Charbonneau will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Charbonneau keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A big right from Charbonneau misses.

Charbonneau tries to keep at a distance but Minister has taken the fight into the clinch.

Minister pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Charbonneau throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Minister attempts a counter takedown but Charbonneau avoids it well and moves away.
Charbonneau tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Minister was well out of range. Poor timing from Charbonneau.
Charbonneau shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Charbonneau slips a jab and a cross from Minister.
Charbonneau throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Minister throws a lazy uppercut

and Charbonneau counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Minister!
Minister is being controlled here.
Charbonneau wants to lay and pray for a moment but Minister keeps working.
Charbonneau tries to advance to mount but can't.
Charbonneau in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Charbonneau blocks the strikes from Minister.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Minister tries to improve position but can't.
Minister struggling a bit here.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Charbonneau is continuing to stall.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Minister is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Minister sneaks back into half guard.

That's two 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.
Minister wants to improve his position but Charbonneau is controlling well.
Minister is working hard here to advance position.
Charbonneau is just content to waste time from the top position. Minister takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Charbonneau preventing the sweep.
Charbonneau working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Charbonneau sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Minister throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charbonneau throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Minister wants to clinch.
Charbonneau avoids a punch combination nicely.
Charbonneau slips under a jab from Minister.
Charbonneau looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Charbonneau slips a jab from Minister.
Charbonneau feints the counter takedown.
Minister throws a shot from downtown. Charbonneau moves away and avoids it.
Charbonneau misses with a wild body shot.
Charbonneau avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Charbonneau bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Minister instigates a clinch.
Charbonneau stalling in the clinch but Minister improves position.
Charbonneau misses with a hook from the clinch.

Minister breaks from the clinch.
Charbonneau rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Minister moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Charbonneau gets the takedown into side control.
Charbonneau trying to control the position but Minister is working away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Charbonneau controlling the position.
Charbonneau tries to advance to mount but can't.
Minister tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Charbonneau scores with punches from side control.
Charbonneau wants to lay and pray for a moment but Minister keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marshall Charbonneau showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Minister is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Charbonneau.
Minister misses with a body shot.
Charbonneau fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Minister throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Minister is looking to score with low kicks.
Charbonneau is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A slow jab from Charbonneau misses its intended target.
Minister misses with a looping right.
Charbonneau throws a body shot but no joy.

Minister gets a clinch.
Minister pushes off an throws an elbow but Charbonneau leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Charbonneau wants a takedown.
Charbonneau tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Charbonneau struggles to land a body shot inside as Minister controls his hands.
Charbonneau is trying to force a seperation but Minister has the dominant position.
Charbonneau goes for a takedown in the clinch but Minister prevents it.
Opossum Minister has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marshall Charbonneau.
Charbonneau has a couple of punches blocked by Minister.

Minister's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minister lands a slapping body shot.
Minister throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Minister misses with a wild body shot.
Opossum Minister is winning the standup battle so far.
Minister tries to clinch but Charbonneau is having none of it.
Minister misses with a low kick.
Charbonneau changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Minister throws a jab when Charbonneau was well out of range.
Minister misses with a hook.
Charbonneau ducks under a wild hook from Minister.
Charbonneau moves away from the strike by Minister.
Minister keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Minister throws a combination that misses

and Charbonneau decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Minister's guard.
Charbonneau controlling from the top position.
Charbonneau pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Minister is keeping the position for now.
Minister tries to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charbonneau is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Minister trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Charbonneau controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Minister wants to sweep here but Charbonneau controlling him for the moment.
Charbonneau is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Charbonneau tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Minister was well out of range. Poor timing from Charbonneau.
Charbonneau moves away from the strike by Minister.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minister tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Charbonneau was well out of range. Poor timing from Minister.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Charbonneau.
Minister misses with a few strikes there.
Minister goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Charbonneau looks to score with a jab to the body but Minister is just out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Charbonneau is trying to stall.
Minister misses with a punch to the body.

Minister breaks from the clinch.
A jab lands there for Minister.
Minister pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Charbonneau feints the counter takedown.
Minister tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Charbonneau was well out of range. Poor timing from Minister.
Charbonneau ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Minister moves away.
Minister tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Charbonneau keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Minister.
Charbonneau changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Charbonneau misses with a takedown attempt - Minister sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minister misses with a body shot.
Minister throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Opossum Minister seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Charbonneau throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Charbonneau keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Charbonneau misses with an uppercut.
Charbonneau keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Minister keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Charbonneau checks a leg kick.
Charbonneau with the counter takedown but Minister avoids it easily.
Charbonneau looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Minister is fending him off so far but Charbonneau persists. Nope, Minister circles away and we're back to standing.
Minister swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Minister. Charbonneau does a little dance to reset his feet.
Charbonneau with the counter takedown but Minister avoids it easily.
Opossum Minister has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Minister misses with a looping right.
Minister avoids the body shot from Charbonneau.
Minister keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Charbonneau lands with a right hand.
Minister looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Minister avoids the body shot from Charbonneau.

And that's the end of the fight!
Opossum Minister showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Charbonneau 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Marshall Charbonneau!