PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Artie DeVanzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Marsden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marsden has chosen Feiticeira by Deftones as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

DeVanzo
vs
Marsden

182 cm
29
179 lbs
29 - 17 - 1

176 cm
39
170 lbs
37 - 27 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

MayheM sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Artie DeVanzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 27 - 1, fighting out of London, Brandon Marsden!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Decent striking displayed by DeVanzo there.
DeVanzo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Marsden.
Marsden jabs DeVanzo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
DeVanzo will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
We've been hearing reports that DeVanzo has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Marsden looks to score with a jab to the body but DeVanzo is just out of range.
DeVanzo misses with a looping left.
DeVanzo moves out of range of the strikes.
DeVanzo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Marsden's head backwards.
A big left from Marsden misses.
Marsden throws a leg kick but DeVanzo checks it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Marsden.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

DeVanzo drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
DeVanzo preventing the sweep.
DeVanzo lands a couple of elbows.
Marsden looking to hit a scissor sweep but DeVanzo is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marsden throws his legs up looking for a submission but DeVanzo uses it to pass to side control.
Marsden is working to avoid the ground and pound but DeVanzo connects with a decent elbow.
Marsden manages to work his way to half guard, despite DeVanzo's best efforts.
DeVanzo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Marsden is trying to get back to full guard.
Marsden is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
DeVanzo looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
DeVanzo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Marsden does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marsden looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Marsden is trying to defend against the ground and pound but DeVanzo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ground and pound from DeVanzo.
Marsden is looking for a sweep. DeVanzo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Marsden looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Marsden is looking to improve his position.
Marsden wants to get back to full guard but DeVanzo has passed into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsden gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Marsden wants to improve his position but DeVanzo is controlling well.
DeVanzo working Marsden over with strikes.
Marsden makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Marsden.
Marsden looking for a sweep. Not yet Marsden, not yet.
Marsden keeping moving, preventing DeVanzo from controlling successfully.

Marsden is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. DeVanzo is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Marsden is looking for a triangle here but DeVanzo uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Marsden tries to buck DeVanzo off but DeVanzo is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marsden takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Marsden tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artie DeVanzo dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Marsden fails with the takedown.
A little feinted left hand from DeVanzo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
DeVanzo throws a body kick that misses

so Marsden counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Marsden wants to pass the guard but DeVanzo is keeping the position.
Marsden stopping the sweep attempt from DeVanzo.
Marsden is looking to work some ground and pound but DeVanzo has wrist control.
Marsden loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
DeVanzo pulls Marsden in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marsden throws a strike but DeVanzo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeVanzo scoring with punches to the head and body.
DeVanzo landing some decent shots from guard.
DeVanzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Marsden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Marsden working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because DeVanzo has passed into half guard!
Marsden tries to get to full guard but DeVanzo has control of the leg.
DeVanzo controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo continues to stall.
Marsden slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Marsden looking for submissions from the bottom but instead DeVanzo passes into half guard.
Marsden wants to improve his position but DeVanzo is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marsden looking for subs from the bottom but DeVanzo mounts him!
DeVanzo landing strikes from the mount and Marsden is in trouble!
DeVanzo with the ground and pound from mount.
Marsden working to try and regain half guard.
Marsden taking shots to the head.
Marsden is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo trying to control but Marsden is having none of it.
Marsden regains half guard.
Marsden tries to regain full guard. Instead though, DeVanzo has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DeVanzo connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
DeVanzo prevents Marsden from getting the reversal.
Marsden has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
DeVanzo with the ground and pound from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artie DeVanzo dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Marsden will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
An attempted straight right counter from DeVanzo misses the target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Marsden.

Marsden gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Marsden manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. DeVanzo manages to get himself to full guard.

Marsden throws a strike but DeVanzo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Marsden looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but DeVanzo puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marsden tries to get to full guard but DeVanzo has control of the leg.
DeVanzo sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsden is looking for a sweep. DeVanzo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Marsden actively working from the bottom here.
DeVanzo works his foot free and advances to mount.
Marsden is squirming around, avoiding DeVanzo's attempts to control the action.
Marsden is desperately trying to improve his position but DeVanzo has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
DeVanzo is landing with some decent strikes but Marsden is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
DeVanzo lands a big shot there that rocks Marsden but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Marsden can't escape the position.
DeVanzo tries to control but Marsden wriggling away.
DeVanzo takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Marsden is looking to improve his position but DeVanzo isn't that keen on the idea.
DeVanzo looking to control but Marsden is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsden is wriggling around trying to escape.
DeVanzo cracks Marsden with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Marsden regains half guard.
DeVanzo trying to control the action but Marsden is working from the bottom.
Brandon Marsden has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Marsden actively working from the bottom here.
Marsden is not content to let DeVanzo control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsden manages to get to full guard.
Artie DeVanzo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Marsden has an active guard here but DeVanzo has managed to pass into half guard.

Marsden has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, DeVanzo escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by DeVanzo!
DeVanzo trying to control the action but Marsden is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artie DeVanzo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for DeVanzo, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artie DeVanzo!
Artie DeVanzo decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Brandon Marsden spoke after the fight, saying 'I didn't lose that fight in my mind. True victory is to give all of yourself, without regret. '.