PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Damian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gilles StPaul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). StPaul has chosen Kashmir as his entrance music. Marcus Damian has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Damian
vs
StPaul

180 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

SCP Fight Gear
Combat Pro Design

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marcus Damian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gilles StPaul!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Damian fails with a takedown attempt.
Damian avoids a kick to the body.

StPaul scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
An elbow from StPaul crashes against the mat.
StPaul has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
StPaul with the ground and pound but Damian regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
StPaul not doing much here.
Damian is trying to maintain the position but StPaul is very close to passing his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
StPaul lands strikes from half guard.
Damian is trying to maintain the position but StPaul is very close to passing his half guard.
Damian moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Damian avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Damian keeping moving, preventing StPaul from controlling successfully.
Damian working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from StPaul.
Damian controls StPaul momentarily but StPaul frees himself.
Damian utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
StPaul preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Damian shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and StPaul counters with a stiff right hand.
Damian has his takedown stuffed

and StPaul counters with a single leg into guard. Damian didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Damian. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
StPaul trying to control the position from guard on top but Damian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Damian tries to land a sweep but no joy.
StPaul works over Damian with some ground and pound from guard.
Damian might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Damian working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. StPaul doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. StPaul manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Damian is breathing heavily.
StPaul missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
StPaul postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Damian looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
StPaul loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
StPaul postures up in Damian's guard and throws a big left but Damian blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
StPaul trying to control but Damian is working from the bottom.
StPaul throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Damian works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Damian has his takedown stuffed

and StPaul holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Damian stops a takedown attempt from StPaul.
Damian on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

StPaul successfully pulls guard.
StPaul looking for a sweep. Not yet StPaul, not yet.
StPaul not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Damian controls from within his opponent's guard.
StPaul thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
StPaul is striking off his back. Damian thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Damian is tying to control. StPaul wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Damian shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and StPaul counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Damian has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes StPaul off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Damian drives through and clinches with StPaul against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gilles StPaul dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Damian stuffs the takedown attempt from StPaul. StPaul gets slowly back to his feet.
Marcus Damian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Damian slips a straight right by StPaul.
Damian misses with a head kick.
Damian with a lazy takedown attempt
and StPaul counters with a one-two to the body.
Damian finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
StPaul showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Damian.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Damian.

StPaul scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Damian taking some punishment here, with StPaul in his half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Damian controlling the position for now.
Damian on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Damian tries to get out of the position.
StPaul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
StPaul thows a huge punch but Damian dodges it nicely.
Damian is staying active underneath StPaul, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
StPaul scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
StPaul seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Damian is refusing to be controlled, as StPaul sits in half guard.
StPaul looks to land a strike but Damian avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Damian is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
StPaul preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
StPaul trying to control but Damian is working from the bottom.
StPaul looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
StPaul thows a big elbow that misses.
StPaul connects with a couple of short punches.
Damian 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.
Damian is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Damian with a poor takedown
and StPaul counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
StPaul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Damian was well out of range. Poor timing from StPaul.
Damian avoids a kick to the body.
Damian with a lazy takedown attempt

and StPaul counters with a nice double leg into guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Damian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
StPaul missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
StPaul with a nice head shot there.
StPaul wants to control from the top but Damian keeps moving.
StPaul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
StPaul in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
StPaul trying to control the position from guard on top but Damian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
StPaul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
StPaul looking to sit in guard and control but Damian gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
StPaul striking off his back but it's not causing Damian any problems.
StPaul being controlled here, momentarily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Damian gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and StPaul connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Damian looks to clinch

and StPaul counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by StPaul.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
StPaul looking to sit in guard and control but Damian gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Damian wants to control from the top but StPaul keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gilles StPaul 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! This is the final round!

StPaul closes this distance looking for a takedown but Damian circles away.
StPaul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Damian doesn't succeed with the takedown

and StPaul holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
StPaul tries to pull guard but Damian holds him up against the cage and eventually StPaul drops back down to his feet.
Damian wants a takedown but no success here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Damian as StPaul tries to tie him up.
Damian stalling in the clinch but StPaul improves position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Damian is trying to break free.
Damian trying to control the position but instead, StPaul has worked for underhooks and has pushed Damian into the cage.
A short left from StPaul.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Damian fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Damian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
StPaul is working for takedown but Damian is calmly controlling the position for now.
A looping hook to the body misses from StPaul. Damian does a little dance to reset his feet.
Damian clinches but StPaul breaks the clinch
and StPaul counters with a stiff right hand.
StPaul throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Damian doesn't succeed with the takedown
and StPaul counters with a flying knee. Nice.
StPaul fails with the takedown.

Damian closes the distance and pushes StPaul back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Damian is trying to drag StPaul to the mat but StPaul just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Damian prevents the takedown attempt.
Damian prevents a takedown attempt there.
Damian looking to slow down the pace here.

Damian ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Damian no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
StPaul with a flurry of punches that miss.

Damian is looking for a triangle but StPaul pushes his legs off easily.
StPaul wants to control from the top but Damian keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Damian has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
StPaul with a flurry of punches that miss.
Damian wants to stand up but StPaul is controlling him.

StPaul drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Damian manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now StPaul has Damian in his guard.
Gilles StPaul has got the better of the ground game so far.
StPaul tries to strike from the bottom.

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.
StPaul controls Damian momentarily but Damian frees himself.
Damian keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of StPaul's head.
StPaul has momentary wrist control but Damian slips an elbow through the middle.
Damian sitting in guard, not really doing much.
StPaul striking off his back but it's not causing Damian any problems.
Gilles StPaul is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
StPaul working a defensive guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marcus Damian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
StPaul fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Marcus Damian.
I think StPaul 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 William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gilles StPaul!