PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tom Sherk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and dMarcus Carlton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Tom Sherk has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Sherk
vs
Carlton

179 cm
20
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
172 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Amber Swan*$15 Rec Supp*

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Sherk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, dMarcus Carlton!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Donald Grub and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carlton defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sherk.
Sherk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Carlton swivels and escapes.
Sherk is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tom Sherk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Carlton.
Sherk tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Carlton controls the position from side control.
Sherk manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Carlton is working for a kimura but Sherk is defending it quite comfortably.
Carlton wants to pass the guard but Sherk is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carlton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sherk is just riding it out for now. Carlton eventually gives up the hold.
Carlton looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Carlton controlling the pace.
Carlton trying to control from half guard but Sherk is working away.
Sherk wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Carlton looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Carlton wants to take a breather but Sherk is having none of it.

Sherk actively working from the bottom here.
Carlton wants to free his trapped foot but Sherk is holding on for dear life with his legs.

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

and Sherk counters with a shoot takedown. Carlton fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sherk drops back, looking for a kneebar! Carlton looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Carlton looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Carlton!
Sherk knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Carlton on the ground.
Sherk is breathing heavily.

Carlton is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sherk has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sherk prevents Carlton from moving into mount.

Carlton tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sherk sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carlton prevents Sherk from improving his position.
Sherk is trying to control but can't.
Sherk is trying to stand up here but Carlton is controlling him well.
Carlton is trying to control the action in half guard but Sherk is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Carlton wants to pass to mount but Sherk is defending the position.

Carlton is looking for a kimura but Sherk is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Carlton to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but dMarcus Carlton will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sherk looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sherk with a lazy takedown attempt

so Carlton counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Carlton thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sherk is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Carlton advances position into side control!

Carlton swings around for an armbar but Sherk sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Carlton's guard.
Sherk has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sherk wants to control from the top but Carlton keeps moving.

Carlton is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sherk defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sherk slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sherk tries to stand but Carlton is controlling from the bottom.

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.
Carlton looking to control.
Sherk wants to pass the guard but Carlton is keeping the position.

Carlton pushes a forearm under Sherk's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Sherk is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). dMarcus Carlton!
dMarcus Carlton is the new middleweight champion!