PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ash Williams (ranked 6743 p4p, 7702 weight class) and Marcus Darwin (ranked 663 p4p, 709 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Williams
vs
Darwin

175 cm
21
170
0 - 4 - 0

180 cm
18
176
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ash Williams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marcus Darwin!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Darwin missing with a left hand there. Williams was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Williams looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Darwin connects with a nice looking jab.
Williams looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A slow jab from Darwin misses its intended target.
Williams throws a low kick, looking for Darwin's leg but Darwin calmly moves out of range.
We've been hearing reports that Williams has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Williams moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Williams swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Darwin now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Decent striking displayed by Darwin there.
Williams slips under a jab.
Darwin misses the shot to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Darwin.
Williams moves away from the strike by Darwin.
Darwin throws a jab when Williams was well out of range.
Darwin throws a series of punches but Williams avoids them all with ease.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Darwin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Williams. Williams circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Darwin misses with an uppercut. Williams saw that one coming.
Williams appears to be looking for a big counter.
Ash Williams seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Williams takes one on the button.
Williams dodges the punch combination from Darwin.
Darwin with a jab.
Williams looks to land a combination but Darwin avoids it well.
Williams swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Williams misses with a jab, cross combination.
Darwin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Darwin throws a big shot that misses.
Darwin connects with a looping right hand.
A cross from Darwin lands.
Williams ducks under a wild hook from Darwin.
Darwin is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Williams had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Williams throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Darwin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Williams gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Darwin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darwin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Williams stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Darwin scores with a decent looking hook.
Darwin scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Darwin lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Williams looks to land a combination but Darwin avoids it well.
Darwin lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Darwin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Darwin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Williamss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Darwin might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Darwin with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Darwin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Darwin throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Williams takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Decent striking displayed by Darwin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darwin jabs Williams right on the nose. Williams blinks but takes it well.
Williams avoids a punch combination nicely.
Williams lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Darwin circles away quickly and effectively.
Darwin with a jab.
Darwin scores with a nice right hand.
Jab from Darwin.
Darwin goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
We've been informed that Darwin has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
A punch combination from Darwin misses.
Williams slips under a jab.
Darwin throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Williams on the side of the head.
Darwin cracks Williams with a right hand to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Williams takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Darwin scores with a jab. Williams acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nice defenses there by Williams.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darwin lands with a cross.
Darwin lands a nice hook to Williams's body. Williams takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Williams drops his hands momentarily and Darwin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Williams throws a lazy right hand but Darwin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Darwin looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Williams looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Williams throws a big shot that misses.
Some wild striking there from Williams.
Darwin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Williams at a distance.
Williams on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Darwin lands with a good body shot.
Williams ducks under a wild hook from Darwin.
Darwin swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Williams.
A looping hook to the body misses from Darwin. Williams does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Darwin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Darwin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Williams has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Darwin is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Williams.
Darwin thuds his right hand into Williams's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Marcus Darwin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Williams tries to bum rush Darwin with a series of wild strikes but Darwin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Darwin connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Darwin. That snapped Williams's head back.
Darwin tests Williams's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Williams slips a jab and a cross from Darwin.
Williams went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Williams tries to bum rush Darwin with a series of wild strikes but Darwin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Darwin unleashes a big counter combination but Williams bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Darwin lands with an overhand left.
Williams takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Darwin lands a two punch combo.
Darwin connects with a single shot there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Williams tries to move into range but Darwin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A jab from Darwin finds it's way through Williams's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darwin lands a glancing blow to the side of Williams's head.
Williams walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Darwin misses with a looping left.
Darwin misses with a looping left.
Williams gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Darwin.
Darwin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Williams defending well as Darwin loads up on a big left hand.
Darwin comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Williams displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Darwin throws out the jab.
Williams throws a body kick that misses
and Darwin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Darwin throws a hook to the side of Williams's head but Williams sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Williams takes a jab right on the kisser.
Williams throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Darwin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darwin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Darwin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Darwin keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Darwin darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Darwin moves out of range as Williams throws a body kick.
Darwin scores with a nice strike.
Darwin connects with the punch.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Williams might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Darwin lands a nice hook to Williams's body. Williams takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Darwin lands a head shot.
Darwin lands a nice looking body shot.
Darwin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Williams has time to react.
Darwin jabs Williams to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Darwin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Williams sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Darwin slips a jab and a cross from Williams.
Darwin doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Williams takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darwin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Williams takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Williams misses with a leg kick
and Williams takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Good standup being displayed there by Darwin as he connects with a hook.
Darwin lands with a nice combination. Williams backs away looking to recover.
Darwin throws a body punch but Williams moves out of range.
Williams takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Williams is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Darwin.
Williams walks into a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Donk. Darwin catches Williams right on the button with a cross.
Darwin misses with a straight left.
Nice defenses there by Williams.
Darwin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Williams's head.
Darwin lands the left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Williams throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Darwin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Williams's head.
Williams uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darwin.
Decent striking displayed by Darwin there.
Darwin misses with the combination.
Darwin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Williams misses with a lunging right hand
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Darwin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Williams with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Darwin to score with a decent uppercut.
Darwin throws out a loose jab but Williams uses good head movement to avoid it.
Darwin scores with a nice head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Darwin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Darwin lands with an overhand left.
Williams throws a combination that misses
and Darwin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Williams keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
No joy there for Williams, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Williams ducks under a wild hook from Darwin.
Williams looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Williams takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Darwin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Williams on the side of the head.
Williams takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Williams needs to keep his hands up - Darwin had a free shot at his head there.
Nice shot by Darwin.
Nice uppercut lands for Darwin. That snapped Williams's head back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Darwin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Good standup being displayed there by Darwin as he connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darwin lands a jab to Williams's midsection.
Williams takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Williams on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A head kick by Williams misses
and Darwin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab from Darwin finds it's way through Williams's defenses.
Darwin connects with a crisp jab.
A right-left combo lands from Darwin.
Williams will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Darwin listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The fighters circle momentarily. Darwin darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Williams takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Darwin lands a nice shot to the body.
Marcus Darwin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams takes one to the side of the head.
Williams is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Darwin.
Darwin misses with the combination.
Darwin just misses with a punch to the body.
Williams appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nice body punch from Darwin.
A combination from Williams does no damage.
Darwin connects with a nice looking jab.
Darwin lands the left hand.
Williams takes a jab right on the kisser.
Darwin throws a hook but Williams blocks it.
Darwin connects with a single shot there.
Darwin shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Williams eats them both and turns towards Darwin to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darwin lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Williams backs up against the cage.
A lazy left from Darwin finds it's target.
Darwin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Darwin with a jab.
Ash Williams has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab, jab by Darwin - just one landing.
Darwin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Darwin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Williams takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Darwin lands with a right hand.
Darwin jabs Williams right on the nose. Williams blinks but takes it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Darwin connects with a crisp jab.
Darwin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Williams takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darwin digs a good hook to Williams's body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Darwin.
Darwin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Williams at a distance.
Williams takes one on the button.
Darwin lands a slapping body shot.
Darwin throws a good cross that connects.
A punch combination from Darwin misses.
Darwin lands a slapping body shot.
Darwin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Williams throws a left and a right that both miss
and Darwin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Darwin tests Williams's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Darwin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Darwin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Darwin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 26:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Darwin!