PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Massem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manlio Marconi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Massem
vs
Marconi

190 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

174 cm
25
168 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Decent elbows
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Massem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Manlio Marconi!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marconi throws a low kick but Massem moves out of range easily.
Massem shoots in but no luck this time.
Marconi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice takedown defense from Marconi. No joy for Massem on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Massem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Massem fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Marconi avoids it really well and circles away.
Mark Massem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marconi throws a series of punches but Massem avoids them all with ease.
Marconi keeps the fight on the outside.
Massem closes the distance and clinches up with Marconi, looking for a takedown. Massem pushes Marconi against the cage but Marconi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A punch combination from Marconi misses.

Massem closes the distance and clinches.
Massem wants a takedown but no success here.
Massem has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Marconi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Massem wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Marconi has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marconi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Massem up against the cage.
Marconi tries to break the clinch but Massem is controlling the position.
Massem pushes off an throws an elbow but Marconi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Marconi tries to circle away but Massem has him pinned against the cage.
Massem pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Marconi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Marconi digs a right hand into Massem's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Massem's gas tank.
Marconi stops a takedown attempt from Massem.
Massem is breathing heavily.
Massem looking for a takedown.
Marconi blocks an elbow strike from Massem.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Massem as Marconi tries to tie him up.
Massem really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Massem tries to pull guard but Marconi holds him up against the cage and eventually Massem drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Massem blocks the elbow strike.
Massem tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Marconi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Massem prevents Marconi from breaking the clinch.
Marconi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Massem is working for takedown but Marconi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Marconi prevents a takedown attempt there.
Massem tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Marconi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Massem is working for takedown but Marconi is calmly controlling the position for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marconi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Marconi looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Massem tries to pull guard but Marconi won't allow it.
Massem tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Marconi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Marconi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Marconi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Massem has him pressed against the cage.
Marconi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Marconi looking to stall.
Massem tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Massem tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Marconi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Massem wants a takedown but no success here.
Massem throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Marconi scores with a shot to the side of Massem's head.
Massem keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Marconi's efforts to push away.
Marconi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Massem has him pressed against the cage.
Massem prevents Marconi from breaking the clinch.
Marconi is looking to control Massem's arms but Massem gets an underhook and turns him. Now Marconi has his back to the cage.
Massem stalling in the clinch.
Massem looking for a takedown.
Marconi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Massem is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Marconi is trying to break the clinch but Massem has him pressed against the cage.
Marconi prevents a takedown attempt there.
Massem changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Marconi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manlio Marconi dominated 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.

Massem tries to score a power double leg takedown but Marconi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Massem somewhat.
Marconi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Massem moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Massem shoots for a double leg takedown but Marconi sprawls well. He's pushed Massem's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Marconi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Massem's hands.

It looks like Mark Massem has been cut.
Marconi lands with a shot to the body.
Massem moves out of range of the leg kick from Marconi.
Marconi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Marconi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nice jab there from Marconi.

Massem is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Oooooh!!! Marconi has knocked Massem down with a huge combo! Marconi steps away and waves a wobbly Massem back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Oh Massem is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marconi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Massem walks into a straight right, dropping him to the canvas! Marconi swarms him and finishes the fight with a hail of punches! What a brutal finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Manlio Marconi!