PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kris Marsh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Uolevi Gepardi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Marsh
vs
Gepardi

163 cm
24
154 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

169 cm
27
152 lbs
16 - 7 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Kris Marsh!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Uolevi Gepardi!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters circling a little - Gepardi finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Gepardi shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gepardi showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Marsh is looking for a sweep. Gepardi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Marsh trying to hold on to Gepardi's head to control him but Gepardi postures up.
Marsh controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Gepardi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Gepardi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Marsh keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gepardi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Marsh has managed to free his arm - good work.

Gepardi is working for a kimura but Marsh is defending it quite comfortably.
Marsh has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gepardi is working away from the top position though.
Gepardi thows a huge punch but Marsh dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsh tries to roll over but Gepardi keeps him under control.
Marsh is trying to maintain the position but Gepardi is very close to passing his half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gepardi in particular looking to stall.
Marsh trying to hold on to Gepardi's head to control him but Gepardi postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsh desperately trying to maintain half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kris Marsh.
Gepardi moves out of range as Marsh strikes.
Gepardi throws out a powerful jab.
Gepardi shoots in for a takedown but Marsh shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gepardi scores with a nice head shot.
Gepardi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Marsh throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gepardi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gepardi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marsh manages to avoid it.
Gepardi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Marsh uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gepardi.
A slow jab from Gepardi misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi throws a jab when Marsh was well out of range.
Gepardi moves out of range of the leg kick from Marsh.
Gepardi keeps the fight on the outside.
Gepardi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Marsh throws out the jab.

Gepardi gets tackled into the cage by Marsh. Marsh maintains the clinch.

Gepardi gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Marsh regains guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marsh looking for a sweep. Not yet Marsh, not yet.
Marsh is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Marsh is looking to stand up but Gepardi isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marsh looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Uolevi Gepardi dominated that round.
That's time! Marsh's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Marsh throws a jab but it's blocked by Gepardi.
Marsh does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gepardi lands a slapping body shot.
Gepardi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Marsh sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Marsh lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gepardi circles away quickly and effectively.

Marsh scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Gepardi wants to get back to full guard.
Gepardi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Marsh.
Marsh lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gepardi trying to hold on to Marsh's head to control him but Marsh postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marsh is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gepardi!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gepardi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gepardi gets back to half guard.
Marsh thows a huge punch but Gepardi dodges it nicely.
Marsh passes into side control, despite Gepardi's attempt to control the position.
Marsh wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gepardi keeps working.
Gepardi can't do much from the bottom here.

Marsh tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Marsh has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Marsh are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Gepardi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Marsh missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gepardi trying to hold on to Marsh's head to control him but Marsh postures up.
Marsh trying to mount his opponent but Gepardi defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsh is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Gepardi reverses the position - he's now on top in Marsh's guard.
Marsh is controlling Gepardi's posture.
Gepardi slips nicely into half guard.

Gepardi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Marsh has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gepardi tries to pass to full mount but Marsh defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsh wants to get back to full guard.
Marsh wants to control but Gepardi is keeping busy.
Marsh tries to kick Gepardi off in order to stand up. Gepardi Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sloppy strikes there by Gepardi.
Gepardi lands a few punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kris Marsh will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Marsh.
Gepardi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Marsh throws out the jab.
Marsh keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Marsh dives in and grabs Gepardi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gepardi pushes down on Marsh's head and hops out.
Marsh closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gepardi circles away.
Gepardi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Marsh scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gepardi looks for a takedown but Marsh sprawls well.
Marsh shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kris Marsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gepardi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Marsh's waist but Marsh gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gepardi off to one side.
Gepardi throws a nice looking combination but Marsh bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gepardi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Marsh throws a chopping leg kick but Gepardi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gepardi ducks under a wild hook from Marsh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsh throws a lazy right hand but Gepardi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Marsh with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Good work by Marsh as he checks the leg kick.
Gepardi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Marsh shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gepardi's guard.
Marsh is pushing down on Gepardi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gepardi is fighting to maintain full guard but Marsh has managed to sneak the leg through.
Gepardi trying to control but Marsh postures up.
Marsh trying to pass the guard but Gepardi defending well.

Gepardi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Marsh pulls his head out easily.
Marsh performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Marsh.
Marsh working Gepardi over with strikes.
Gepardi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marsh distracts Gepardi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Gepardi has his foot on Marsh's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Marsh works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi keeping full guard, as Marsh tries to pass.
Marsh distracts Gepardi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Gepardi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gepardi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Gepardi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gepardi tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gepardi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Marsh defends well.
Gepardi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Marsh tries to free his leg and advance position but Gepardi is retaining full guard.
Marsh forces his way into half guard.
Marsh wants to control but Gepardi is keeping him busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Marsh is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gepardi sees it coming and defends easily.

Marsh wants to work for an arm triangle but Gepardi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kris Marsh clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gepardi slips under a jab from Marsh.
Gepardi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Marsh. Marsh circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gepardi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Marsh takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gepardi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Marsh circles away quickly and effectively.

Marsh looking to score a takedown here. Gepardi is defending well but Marsh drives through and ends up in Gepardi's guard.

Gepardi looking for a guillotine here but Marsh defends easily.

Marsh got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gepardi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Marsh has managed to get both his arms back between Gepardi's legs - danger averted.
Marsh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gepardi is looking to stand up but Marsh isn't so interested in that idea.
Gepardi is trying to control the position but Marsh postures up.
Marsh trying to control but Gepardi is working from the bottom.
Gepardi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Marsh is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gepardi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Uolevi Gepardi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Marsh.
Marsh fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Gepardi dives in and scores a takedown into Marsh's guard.
Marsh not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Marsh is looking to stand up but Gepardi isn't so interested in that idea.
Marsh looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Gepardi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kris Marsh wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Gepardi looks to land a combination. Marsh sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Marsh slaps away a takedown attempt from Gepardi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gepardi tries to move into range but Marsh moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Marsh is looking to slow Gepardi down with leg kicks.
Nice straight punches there by Gepardi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gepardi.
Marsh scores with a head kick.
Gepardi misses with an uppercut. Marsh saw that one coming.
Marsh works Gepardi's body with a nice hook.
Marsh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gepardi.
Marsh dips to his left and cracks Gepardi with an uppercut!
Gepardi shoots in looking for a takedown but Marsh manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gepardi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gepardi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Marsh lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Marsh connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marsh throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marsh.

Gepardi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Gepardi is looking to take a break and control but Marsh is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gepardi prevents Marsh from improving his position.
Marsh is not content to let Gepardi control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Marsh manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Uolevi Gepardi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Marsh lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gepardi misses with a double jab.
Gepardi 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.
Gepardi just misses with a punch to the body.
No joy there for Gepardi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A combination from Marsh does no damage.

Marsh gets caught flat footed, as Gepardi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kris Marsh overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Marsh is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Gepardi is working for takedown but Marsh is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gepardi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Marsh smiles and moves away.

Marsh drives through with a takedown into Gepardi's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Gepardi is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Marsh postures up in Gepardi's guard and throws a big left but Gepardi blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsh lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Marsh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marsh pushes down on Gepardi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gepardi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Marsh is looking to work some ground and pound but Gepardi has wrist control.
Gepardi controls Marsh momentarily but Marsh frees himself.

Gepardi has his feet on Marsh's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gepardi pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Marsh back to the cage. Gepardi follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Marsh has Gepardi up against the cage in a clinch.
Marsh stops a takedown attempt from Gepardi.
Kris Marsh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Uolevi Gepardi.

Gepardi gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Marsh regains guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gepardi wants to pass the guard but Marsh is keeping the position.

Marsh is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Marsh holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsh has momentary wrist control but Gepardi slips an elbow through the middle.
Marsh looking to control.
Marsh has his hands on Gepardi's head, controlling the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Gepardi trying to control but Marsh is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kris Marsh wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Marsh throws a push kick but Gepardi slaps the foot to one side.
Marsh defending well as Gepardi loads up on a big left hand.
Gepardi throws a right hand that Marsh ducks under and follows up with a left that Marsh also avoids with ease.
Gepardi misses with a hook. Marsh ducked under it nicely.
Marsh loads up on a big right hand but Gepardi slips the punch.
Marsh throws out a leg kick but Gepardi moves out of range and Marsh only half commits.
Gepardi misses with a double jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gepardi throws a jab when Marsh was well out of range.
Gepardi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Marsh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gepardi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Marsh rushes Gepardi and presses him up against the cage.

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 Kris Marsh.
I think Marsh has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 48:47
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 49:47
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 48:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kris Marsh!
Kris Marsh retains his featherweight title!