PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Marmalade (ranked 6740 p4p, 6910 weight class) and Jett Gardner (ranked 162 p4p, 163 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Marmalade
vs
Gardner

183 cm
20
280
1 - 1 - 0

205 cm
25
300
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Marmalade!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jett Gardner !
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marmalade has closed the distance and engaged Gardner in a clinch.

Gardner manages to pull guard.
Gardner trying to keep a closed guard but Marmalade is proving a slippery customer.
Marmalade might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Marmalade stopping the sweep attempt from Gardner .
Gardner is trying to control the position but Marmalade postures up.
Marmalade wants to control from the top but Gardner keeps moving.
Marmalade wants to pass the guard but Gardner is keeping the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gardner can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gardner manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Marmalade manages to get himself to full guard.

Gardner is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marmalade throws his legs up looking for a submission but Gardner uses it to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner wants to stand but Marmalade has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
Gardner advances to half guard.
Marmalade moves into full guard.
Gardner trying to control the position from guard on top but Marmalade is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gardner wants to pass the guard but Marmalade is keeping the position.
Gardner engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Marmalade wants to stand but Gardner is controlling the position.
Gardner wanted to stand there but Marmalade had control of the position.
Marmalade is trying to control the position but Gardner postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner tries to free his leg and advance position but Marmalade is retaining full guard.
Gardner trying to control but Marmalade is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gardner keeps the fight on the outside.
Gardner throws a head kick that misses.

Marmalade clinches up with Gardner and pushes him back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Marmalade.
Gardner looks winded!

Marmalade manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Marmalade controlling Gardner 's posture.
Marmalade looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gardner is one step ahead there.

Marmalade is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner won't allow Marmalade to sweep him here.
Gardner throws an elbow that misses. Marmalade uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gardner 's guard. Nice move by Marmalade!

Marmalade wants to control from the top but Gardner keeps moving.
Gardner not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marmalade trying to control but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Marmalade is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
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 Josh Marmalade will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gardner goes for a double leg but Marmalade avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Marmalade continues to drive forward.
Marmalade feinted with a counter takedown.
A big right from Marmalade misses.
Marmalade throws a series of punches but Gardner avoids them all with ease.

Gardner has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gardner is trying to pull guard but Marmalade has him pressed against the cage.
Marmalade scores with a shoulder strike.
Gardner blocks a body shot from Marmalade.
Marmalade lands a nice shot to the body.
Marmalade has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gardner after a bit of a struggle.
Gardner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gardner tries to pull guard but Marmalade forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Josh Marmalade has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jett Gardner .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marmalade fails to pull guard.

Marmalade has clasped his hands together around Gardner 's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Jett Gardner has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gardner is breathing heavily.
Marmalade trying to control the action but Gardner is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marmalade sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Gardner is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Marmalade wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gardner keeps working.
Gardner prevents Marmalade from moving into mount.

Marmalade wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gardner , who protects the arm well.

Marmalade working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Marmalade taking a breather here.
Gardner felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gardner tries to improve position but can't.
Marmalade remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Marmalade is looking to take a break and control but Gardner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Marmalade throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marmalade working away.
Marmalade wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gardner keeps working.
Gardner tries to improve position but can't.
Gardner wants to get back to his feet but Marmalade drags him back down.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Marmalade works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Josh Marmalade seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marmalade keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Marmalade is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gardner can do to turn this around?

Marmalade gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gardner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gardner trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marmalade has Gardner pressed against the cage.
Marmalade tries a body shot but Gardner blocks it.
Marmalade tries to work over Gardner 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Marmalade misses with a hook to the ribs.
Marmalade changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gardner fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Marmalade circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marmalade throws a predictable looking body shot

and Gardner counters by moving into the clinch.
Marmalade tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gardner is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Marmalade pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gardner is looking for a takedown.
Marmalade stops a takedown attempt from Gardner .
Gardner tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Marmalade jumps guard and drags Gardner to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Marmalade dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Gardner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Marmalade.
Marmalade tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gardner manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Marmalade goes for a double leg but Gardner avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gardner continues to drive forward.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gardner !
Marmalade looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Marmalade misses.
Gardner keeps the fight on the outside.
Marmalade checks the leg kick nicely there.
Gardner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Marmalade tries to avoid it but Gardner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Marmalade to the ground. Marmalade escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardner tries to clinch but Marmalade moves out of range.
Marmalade throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Gardner moves into the clinch.

Marmalade has Gardner pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Marmalade pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Gardner tumbling to the mat - Marmalade dives into Gardner 's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gardner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Marmalade doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Marmalade manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gardner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gardner wants to stand up but Marmalade is controlling him.
Marmalade throws a big right hand that misses.
Marmalade postures up and lands a big shot to Gardner 's brow.
Marmalade is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Marmalade preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Marmalade wants to control from the top but Gardner keeps moving.
Gardner has control of Marmalade's left arm, preventing Marmalade from doing any damage.
Marmalade wants to control from the top but Gardner keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Marmalade fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Marmalade rushes Gardner and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Marmalade is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Marmalade. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gardner 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marmalade drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gardner takes a shot to the head.

Gardner has clasped his hands together around Marmalade's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Marmalade is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Gardner is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Marmalade is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Marmalade tries to buck Gardner off but Gardner is having none of it.
Josh Marmalade is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Gardner working away.
Marmalade is not content to let Gardner control the position.
Marmalade sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gardner is looking to take a break and control but Marmalade is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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 Josh Marmalade.
Well Marmalade has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Marmalade!