PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Theodore Marks (ranked 25178 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Solomon (ranked 5465 p4p, 0 weight class). Danny Solomon looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Marks
vs
Solomon

192 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
176 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Theodore Marks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Danny Solomon!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Aafke Stam and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Solomon fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Marks sprawls well initially but Solomon persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Marks wants to get back to full guard.
Marks is working hard here to advance position.

Marks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Marks lands with a few short shots to the body.
Marks wants to get back to full guard.

Marks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Solomon pulls his head out easily.
Marks is trying to get back to full guard.
Marks moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marks has his foot on Solomon's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Solomon works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marks trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solomon wants to control from the top but Marks keeps moving.

Marks working for a triangle but Solomon defends it easily.

Marks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Solomon won't allow Marks to sweep him here.
Marks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Solomon working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Solomon trying to stand up but can't free himself from Marks's guard.

Marks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Solomon looks winded!

Marks throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Solomon postures up.
Marks looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Solomon postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Marks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Solomon is aware though and is defending well.
Marks doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Solomon's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Marks is trying to keep Solomon in close.

Marks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Solomon lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Solomon landing some decent shots from guard.
Solomon landing some decent shots from guard.
Marks thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Marks trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Solomon stands up and waves to Marks to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solomon darts in trying to clinch

so Marks counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Solomon is looking to stand back up but Marks counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Solomon.

Solomon wants to get back to full guard but Marks has passed into side control.
Solomon struggling a bit here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Marks decides to stand back up. Marks steps back and let's Solomon get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Theodore Marks will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Solomon gets a takedown into half guard.

Marks manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Marks closes the distance and pushes Solomon back into the cage.

Marks manages to break the clinch.
Solomon doesn't manage to clinch there - Marks circles away.
Marks thinks about countering with a head kick.
Marks misses with a takedown attempt
and Solomon counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Danny Solomon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Marks closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Solomon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Marks successfully pulls guard.

Marks has his foot on Solomon's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Solomon works his way back into a safe position though.
Marks is looking to stand up but Solomon isn't so interested in that idea.
Solomon is breathing heavily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Solomon accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Solomon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Marks keeping moving, preventing Solomon from controlling successfully.

Marks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Solomon postures up in Marks's guard and throws a big left but Marks blocks it.
Solomon wants to get up but he can't break Marks's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Marks tries to strike from the bottom.

Marks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Solomon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Solomon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Marks is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Solomon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Marks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Marks working for a triangle but Solomon defends it easily.
Marks wants to sweep but no luck.
Solomon throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Theodore Marks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Marks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Solomon is one step ahead there.

Marks is looking for a triangle here but Solomon uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Solomon tries to move into full mount but can't pass Marks's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marks is trying to improve his position.
Marks is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Solomon is controlling him well.
Marks is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Marks tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Solomon wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Solomon scores with a couple of short elbows.
Solomon trying to control the action but Marks is working from the bottom.
Solomon wants to stand but Marks is controlling his arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Solomon wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Marks, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marks can't do much from the bottom here.
Marks throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Marks manages to work his way to half guard, despite Solomon's best efforts.

Marks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Marks wants to control but Solomon is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marks is pressing down on Solomon's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theodore Marks dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Marks fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Solomon to the ground. Marks is now in Solomon's guard.
Solomon wants to sweep but no luck.
Solomon looking to control.
Marks has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Solomon is proving hard to escape from.

Marks stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Marks shoots in for a takedown but Solomon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Solomon is looking for the big counter here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marks shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Solomon wants to stand back up but Marks manages to pass into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solomon is looking for a sweep.

Marks decides to stand back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Marks.
Solomon throws a head kick that misses

and Marks counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Marks with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Marks wants to stand but Solomon has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Marks preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Solomon is working an open guard so Marks takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Marks lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Marks moves into the clinch.

Marks has clasped his hands together around Solomon's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Solomon is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Marks is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Solomon tries to hold on but Marks pushes him away.

Marks gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
A swing and a miss from Marks.

Marks shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Solomon scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Marks manages to mount him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solomon wants to hold on but Marks pushes him away.

Marks is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Solomon can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Marks takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solomon tries to lock up and control but Marks gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Marks stands up from mount. Strange move.

Marks shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Marks was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Marks is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Solomon can do to turn this around?
Solomon wants to control but Marks postures up.
Danny Solomon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Theodore Marks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Marks decides to stand back up. Marks steps back and let's Solomon get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Theodore Marks showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Marks, 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Theodore Marks!