PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Best French (ranked 23597 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatak Marines (ranked 23590 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

French
vs
Marines

183 cm
21
192 lbs
5 - 11 - 0

183 cm
21
200 lbs
5 - 9 - 3

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 5 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Best French!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 9 - 3, fighting out of New York, Tatak Marines!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, David Schapiro and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Marines shoots for a double leg takedown but French sprawls well. He's pushed Marines's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Marines shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
French fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marines shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
French looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Marines wants to get up but he can't break French's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Marines trying to control but French is working from the bottom.
Marines won't allow French to sweep him here.
Marines is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

French is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Marines presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Marines escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
French fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
French closes the distance and clinches up with Marines, looking for a takedown. French pushes Marines against the cage but Marines circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Best French. That's going to take a lot out of him.
French looks for a takedown but Marines sprawls well.
Marines let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Marines fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

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.
Marines swings and misses with a hook to the body.
French is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Marines forces French back against the cage and clinches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marines goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatak Marines dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Marines closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. French quickly recovers to half guard.
Marines is taking a breather. French says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
French keeping control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marines is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
French wants to get back to his feet.

Marines decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Marines closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Marines lands in his opponent's guard.

French has his feet on Marines's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from French enables Marines to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. French manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
French wants to stand and escape but Marines is having none of it.
French wants to improve his position but instead Marines has moved into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marines throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
French wants to get back to his feet.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
French is looking to escape.
Marines thows a huge punch but French dodges it nicely.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
French stuffs the takedown attempt from Marines. Marines gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four 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.
French closes the distance and clinches up with Marines, looking for a takedown. French pushes Marines against the cage but Marines circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Marines appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
French stuffs the takedown attempt from Marines. Marines gets slowly back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marines shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has French pinned against the cage. French gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tatak Marines will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

French shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Marines napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Marines trying to remain calm as French controls from the top position.
Tatak Marines has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marines can't do much from the bottom here.
Marines trying to remain calm as French controls from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marines throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

French closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Marines quickly recovers to half guard.
Marines is trying to stand back up but French is controlling him
French perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Marines is trying to stand up here but French is controlling him well.
Marines is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marines looks like he's trying to stand up.
Marines is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of French's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take French's back!
Marines biding his time, looking for the opening.
French wants to get back to his feet.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

French is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
French stuffs the takedown attempt from Marines. Marines gets slowly back to his feet.
French was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
French shoots in for a takedown but Marines shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Marines looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
French defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Marines.
A counter left hand to the body from French misses its target.
Marines shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with French but French pushes him off and we're back to square one.
French is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Best French has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tatak Marines is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Best French has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatak Marines.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
French tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Marines swivels and escapes.
Marines let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Marines tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but French defends well and Marines ends up having to push French into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A quick step to the side and French tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

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 Best French.
I think Marines 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tatak Marines!