PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Marshall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sebastian Bordoada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Marshall
vs
Bordoada

192 cm
23
270 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

210 cm
21
270 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Marshall!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sebastian Bordoada!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Ian Loll and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Marshall got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bordoada has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Marshall has managed to get both his arms back between Bordoada's legs - danger averted.
Marshall looking to pass the guard.

Bordoada has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Marshall can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Bordoada escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Marshall gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bordoada looks gassed!
Bordoada has momentary wrist control but Marshall slips an elbow through the middle.
Marshall might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Marshall advances to half guard.
Marshall content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bordoada is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bordoada actively working from the bottom here.
Marshall lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Marshall looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bordoada with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Marshall performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Marshall seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ground and pound from Marshall.

Bordoada looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bordoada has hold of Marshall's hands but Marshall slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall controlling the action here.
Marshall working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ground and pound from Marshall.
Marshall drops an elbow to the side of Bordoada's head.
Marshall working over Bordoada with some ground and pound. Bordoada looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Marshall connects with a nice short shot to Bordoada's temple.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Marshall with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Marshall drops an elbow to the side of Bordoada's head.
Marshall sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Marshall.

Marshall shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Marshall showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Marshall lands a nice short elbow.
Bordoada taking some punishment here, with Marshall in his half guard.
Marshall drops an elbow to the side of Bordoada's head.
Marshall lands with a punch from half guard.
Ground and pound from Marshall.
Marshall is controlling the pace.
Marshall looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Marshall is trying to control. Bordoada wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Marshall.

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

Bordoada throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Marshall escapes and throws Bordoada's legs to the side, diving into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Marshall darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Marshall is taking a breather. Bordoada 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.
Marshall looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Marshall keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Marshall looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Marshall slows the pace down in half guard.
Marshall looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bordoada with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Bordoada is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bordoada works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bordoada is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Bordoada is looking for a triangle but Marshall pushes his legs off easily.
John Marshall overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Marshall slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Bordoada looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Marshall working some strikes from top position.
Marshall working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bordoada's head.
Marshall scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Marshall lands a couple of elbows.
Marshall is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall postures up and lands a big shot to Bordoada's brow.
Marshall seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Marshall passes Bordoada's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Marshall looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Bordoada is looking to improve his position.
Marshall takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Marshall.

Marshall gets the takedown into side control.
Marshall lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall lands a decent elbow from side control.
Marshall scores with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Bordoada's face as Marshall controls the position.
Marshall lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Bordoada down.
Marshall working the head and body with strikes.
Bordoada being controlled for a moment.
Marshall wants to control but Bordoada is keeping him busy.
Bordoada is trying to escape the position but Marshall is controlling the position.
Marshall works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall is staying tight to Bordoada's torso, preventing him from escaping.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Marshall.

Marshall changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bordoada looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bordoada tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Marshall presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Marshall lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marshall with the ground and pound from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marshall landing strikes, looking to finish!
Bordoada tries to reverse the position but Marshall maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Marshall shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bordoada manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Marshall avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Marshall controlling from the top position.
Bordoada has momentary wrist control but Marshall slips an elbow through the middle.
Marshall sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bordoada's guard.
Marshall is taking a breather. Bordoada 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.
Marshall's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Marshall working the head and body with strikes.
Bordoada takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bordoada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Marshall wants to control but Bordoada is keeping him busy.
Bordoada on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Marshall is taking a breather. Bordoada 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.
Marshall has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Marshall.

Marshall closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bordoada did well to prevent Marshall getting side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Marshall is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Marshall lands strikes from half guard.
Marshall perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Marshall slips a nice elbow through Bordoada's hands, connecting with Bordoada's forehead.

Bordoada looking for submissions off his back.
Marshall is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Marshall seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bordoada does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Marshall is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Marshall.

Marshall closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Marshall keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Marshall working Bordoada over with strikes.
Marshall trying to control from half guard but Bordoada is working away.
Still in half guard, Marshall seems content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall is nestled in close to Bordoada, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bordoada has hold of Marshall's hands but Marshall slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ground and pound from Marshall.
Marshall sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Bordoada looking for submissions off his back.
Marshall lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Marshall is taking a breather. Bordoada 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.

Bordoada is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Marshall pulls his head out easily.

Bordoada looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Marshall clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Marshall shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bordoada's guard.
Marshall stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bordoada swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bordoada trying to keep a closed guard but Marshall is proving a slippery customer.
Marshall sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Marshall has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Marshall chips away with some ground and pound.
Marshall works over Bordoada with some ground and pound from guard.
Marshall postures up and lands a big shot to Bordoada's brow.
Marshall trying to control the position from guard on top but Bordoada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bordoada is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Marshall lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall passes into half guard.
Bordoada has hold of Marshall's hands but Marshall slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bordoada is trying to get back to full guard.
Marshall trying to control from half guard but Bordoada is working away.
Bordoada has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Marshall is working away from the top position though.
Marshall keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bordoada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Marshall winds up and cracks Bordoada with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ground and pound from Marshall.
Marshall trying to control the action but Bordoada is working from the bottom.
Marshall drops an elbow to the side of Bordoada's head.
Marshall is keen to just control but Bordoada is a slippery customer.
Bordoada trying to control here.
Marshall stalling.
Marshall seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bordoada does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Marshall.

Marshall closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Marshall winds up and cracks Bordoada with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Marshall working over Bordoada with some ground and pound. Bordoada looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bordoada is looking to improve his position.

Bordoada is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Marshall pulls his head out easily.
Bordoada on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bordoada tries to get to full guard but Marshall has control of the leg.
Marshall seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bordoada with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Marshall is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Well, if Marshall is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Marshall working Bordoada over with strikes.
Marshall trying to control the pace.
Marshall prevents Bordoada from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Marshall had his way with Sebastian Bordoada in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Marshall closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bordoada did well to prevent Marshall getting side control.
Marshall is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Marshall lands strikes from half guard.

Bordoada actively working from the bottom here.
Marshall lands with a punch from half guard.
Bordoada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Marshall content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bordoada is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Bordoada wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall winds up and cracks Bordoada with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ground and pound from Marshall.
Well, if Marshall is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Bordoada actively working from the bottom here.
Bordoada is looking for a sweep. Marshall is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Marshall controlling the pace.
Marshall is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Bordoada is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Marshall pulls his head out easily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Marshall is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bordoada can do to turn this around?
Marshall takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall trying to control the action but Bordoada is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John Marshall.

Marshall shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Marshall slips a nice elbow through Bordoada's hands, connecting with Bordoada's forehead.
Bordoada on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bordoada trying to control from the bottom.
Bordoada on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Marshall seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Marshall performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Ground and pound from Marshall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Marshall there.
Marshall wants to take a breather but Bordoada is having none of it.
Marshall lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Marshall is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Marshall is trying to control. Bordoada wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Bordoada is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Marshall pulls his head out easily.
Marshall drops an elbow to the side of Bordoada's head.
Marshall working Bordoada over with strikes.
Marshall is taking a breather. Bordoada 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.
Bordoada wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bordoada taking some punishment here, with Marshall in his half guard.
Marshall is nestled in close to Bordoada, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Marshall working Bordoada over with strikes.
Marshall drops an elbow to the side of Bordoada's head.
Bordoada wants to get back to full guard.
Marshall drops an elbow to the side of Bordoada's head.
Marshall content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Bordoada is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Marshall pulls his head out easily.
Sebastian Bordoada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marshall perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
John Marshall is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Bordoada actively working from the bottom here.

Bordoada actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Marshall showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Marshall 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:40
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 50:42
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 50:40

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Marshall!
John Marshall is the new heavyweight champion!