PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Mars (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jericho Datu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Datu is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Ridin Dirty. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Mars
vs
Datu

175 cm
24
152 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

173 cm
27
150 lbs
22 - 9 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ethan Mars!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jericho Datu!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mars looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Datu circles away from the clinch attempt
and Datu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mars shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Datu counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mars misses with a punch on the inside.

Datu has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Mars is trying to keep an underhook but Datu manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Mars trying to control from the bottom.
Datu looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Datu is trying to control the action in half guard but Mars is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mars trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Datu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mars's head.
Mars trying to control but Datu postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ethan Mars just wasn't active enough.
Datu shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Mars eats them both and turns towards Datu to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Datu shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mars manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Datu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Datu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Datu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mars is keeping the position for now.
Datu postures up.
Datu trying to control the position from guard on top but Mars is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mars striking off his back but it's not causing Datu any problems.
Datu won't allow Mars to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Datu wants to control from the top but Mars keeps moving.
Mars working a defensive guard but Datu manages to pass into side control anyway.
Mars is looking for a sweep.
Datu misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Datu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Mars regains half guard there - taking advantage of Datu's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mars is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Datu jumps into side control!
Mars sneaks back into half guard.
Datu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Datu trying to control from half guard but Mars is working away.
Mars looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mars keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Mars looking for submissions off his back.

That's four 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.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mars manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mars looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Datu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Datu showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Datu wants to control from the top but Mars keeps moving.
Mars can't keep his opponent in guard - Datu advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Datu wants to advance to full mount but Mars doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jericho Datu dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Datu dives in and scores a takedown into Mars's guard.
Mars manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Datu is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mars landing strikes from the mount.
Mars working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Datu slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Datu is refusing to be controlled, as Mars sits in half guard.

Mars is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Datu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mars.
Datu tries to roll over but Mars keeps him under control.
Mars missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mars thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Datu's head.
Mars trying to control the action but Datu is working from the bottom.
Datu moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Datu is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mars throwing strikes but missing.
Datu controls Mars momentarily but Mars frees himself.
Mars trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Datu wants to sweep but no luck.
Datu throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Mars won't allow Datu to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mars trying to control the position from guard on top but Datu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mars pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Datu is keeping the position for now.
Mars won't allow Datu to sweep him here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Datu tries to clinch

and Mars counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Datu trying to control the position here.
Mars postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mars postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Datu throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Mars escapes and throws Datu's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Mars wants to control but Datu is keeping him busy.
Datu tries to improve position but can't.

Mars is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Datu is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Mars is trying to get an arm triangle but Datu is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Mars dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Mars swats away the attempt to clinch by Datu.
Datu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Datu tries to bum rush Mars with a series of wild strikes but Mars uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Mars gets caught flat footed, as Datu shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Datu forces his way into half guard.

Datu is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mars doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Datu.
Mars trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Datu manages to pass to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Datu trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mars can't escape the position.
Mars is bucking up trying to escape but Datu cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Mars really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mars is squirming around, avoiding Datu's attempts to control the action.
Mars is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mars slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Datu stalling away here and it's allowed Mars to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Mars manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mars controlling from the full mount.
Mars scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Datu?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mars looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Mars misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Datu tries to reverse the position but Mars maintains control.
Mars trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Datu tries to reverse the position but Mars maintains control.

Datu tries to improve his position but Mars has taken his back! Mars has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Datu tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Mars pushes Datu away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ethan Mars!