PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bay Area (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcin Held (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Area
vs
Held

174 cm
24
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Polskie Odżywki/ Polish Nutrition [PL]

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bay Area!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcin Held!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Area lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Marcin Held has been cut.

Held darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Area blocking the ground and pound attempt from Held.
Area wants to control but Held is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Held is looking to take a break and control but Area is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Area tries to roll over but Held keeps him under control.
Held is trying to control the action in half guard but Area is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Area keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Area trying to hold on to Held's head to control him but Held postures up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Bay Area has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A punch combination from Area misses.
A head kick misses from Area.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Held moves out of range of the body kick from Area.

Held gets a takedown into half guard.
Area tries to roll over but Held keeps him under control.
Area is trying to maintain the position but Held is very close to passing his half guard.
Held is trying to control the action in half guard but Area is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Area wants to get back to full guard but Held has mounted him!
Held tries to control but Area wriggling away.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Area working to try and regain half guard.

Held is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Area can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Held scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Area?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Area is trying desperately to improve position.
Held controlling the pace for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Area holds on for dear life, controlling Held's posture momentarily.
Held wants to control the pace but Area is squirming around nicely.
Held landing strikes from the mount.
Area is trying to escape the mount.
Held avoids the attempt from Area to control.
Held looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Area wants to hold on but Held pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Area tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Area wants to try and get back to his feet.
Held landing strikes, looking to finish!
Held looking to control but Area is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Held postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Area looks a forlorn figure.
Held controlling his opponent.
Held lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Held avoids the attempt from Area to control.
Held landing strikes from the mount and Area is in trouble!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Held prevents Area from getting the reversal.
Held landing punches.
Held controlling his opponent.
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!
Held looking to control but Area is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Area on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Area tries to get out of the position.
Held putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Area in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Held working for a guillotine from mount but Area is in no mood to give up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Held avoids the attempt from Area to control.

Held is working for a guillotine from mount but Area frees his head quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcin Held dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Marcin Held's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Area throws a head kick but Held moves out of range.
Held shoots in for a takedown but Area shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Held rushes Area and presses him up against the cage.
Area lands a good knee to the midsection. Held won't want to take too many of those.
Held takes a shot to the head.
Held is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Area gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Held goes for a takedown in the clinch but Area prevents it.
Bay Area has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcin Held.
Area with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short right from Area on the inside.
Held is working for takedown but Area is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stalling in the clinch from Area.
Area looking to throw knees to the head but Held is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Area tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A short right from Area.
Area using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Held has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Area throws a knee to the head but misses.
Area is pressed up against the cage. Held has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Area down to the mat. Area avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A left and a right from Held both land. Nice combination.
Area looks to land a body kick but Held moved away.
Held staying out of range there.
Area defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Held.
Held is breathing heavily.
Area looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Held closes the distance and pushes Area back into the cage.
Area unloads a knee to the mid-section. Held lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Area lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Area tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Held takes a knee right on the jaw!
Area throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Helds head.
Held wants a takedown.
Area is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Held is defending well for now.
Area throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Held tries for a takedown but Area manages to get underhooks.
Area looking to throw knees to the head but Held is blocking nicely.
Nice body punch from Area - that landed with a thud.
Area gets underhooks to prevent Held's takedown attempt.
Area lands a knee to the body.
Area lands a shot to the body.
Held's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Area putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Held in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Area leaning against his opponent.
Area landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Area scores with a knee to the head.
Held takes a knee right on the jaw!
Area slows down the pace here.
Area with a knee to the head.
Area throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Area is struggling to control the position.
Held can't get the takedown.
Area with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Area with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A knee to the head by Area.
Area with a knee to the head.
Area with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Held drops down looking for an ankle pick but Area pulls his leg out and moves away.

Area closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Area throws a knee to the head but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Held takes a knee right on the jaw!

Held is rocked!
Bay Area has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Area with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Held is still on wobbly legs! Can Area finish him?
Held has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Area after a bit of a struggle.
Area lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Held backwards.
Area looking to throw knees to the head but Held is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bay Area dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Marcin Held's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Held.
Held seems to have recovered his senses.
Area pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The fighters circling - Area throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Held slips under a jab.
Area takes a swing at Held's ribcage but misses.
Held takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Area tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Area misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bay Area is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Held uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Area.
Area throws a head kick that misses

and Held moves into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Held as Area tries to tie him up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Area stalling in the clinch.
Held is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Area gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Held avoiding damage as Area throws knees to the body.
Area is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Held is keeping busy.
Area gets underhooks to prevent Held's takedown attempt.
Area prevents the takedown attempt.
Bay Area has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcin Held.
Held on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Held is working for takedown but Area is calmly controlling the position for now.
Area trying to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Area.
Area tries to land a knee to the head but Held blocks with his arms.
Held wants a takedown but no success here.
Held tries to score a body lock takedown but Area shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Held on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Area slows down the pace here.
Area throws a knee to the head but misses.
Area lands a hook that snaps the head of Held backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Area.
Held letting Area take a breather here.
Held can't get the takedown.
Held tries for a takedown but Area manages to get underhooks.
Area lands a nice elbow.
Area tries to land a knee to the head but Held blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Area comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Area stalls.
Area misses with a knee to the head.
Area throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Held blocks it with crossed arms.
Held managing to block the knees to the body from Area.
Area tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Area throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Held blocks it with crossed arms.
Area is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Held is defending well for now.
Area throws a knee to the head but misses.
Held is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Area gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Area lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Held is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Held is trying to drag Area to the mat but Area just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Area lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Area lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Held goes for a takedown attempt but Area pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Area misses the body punch

and Held counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Marcin Held has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Held lands a couple of decent looking shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Area is pulling down on Held's head. It's preventing any offense from Held, at least for the moment.
Area wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bay Area showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Area 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bay Area!
After winning the bout, Bay Area thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.