PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nesta Marley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johannes Verne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nesta Marley has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Marley
vs
Verne

192 cm
25
248 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

198 cm
26
265 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp (159.49 $75)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nesta Marley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Johannes Verne!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Sano and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marley swings widly with a right hand
and Verne counters with a low kick, right behind Marley 's knee.
A jab from Marley misses.
Marley looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Marley throws the left hand but Verne avoids the punch easily.
Verne chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Marley throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Marley pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Verne checks a leg kick.
Marley throws a hook to the side of Verne's head but Verne sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Verne connects with a solid leg kick.
Marley connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Verne's hands.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Verne defending well as Marley loads up on a big left hand.
Marley bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Verne checks a leg kick.
Marley throws the left hand but Verne avoids the punch easily.

Verne moves into the clinch.
Verne lands a damaging elbow.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Marley blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verne misses with the head strike.
Marley pushes Verne back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A left hand lands to the body for Verne.
Verne pushes off an throws an elbow but Marley leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Marley blocking some punches.
Verne pushes off an throws an elbow but Marley leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Marley taking a breather.
Verne lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Marley is looking to break free of the clinch but Verne has double underhooks.
Verne lands an elbow just above Marley 's eye.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Verne can't find room to land a body shot as Marley controls the action.
Marley is looking to break free of the clinch but Verne has double underhooks.
Verne lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marley wants to break the clinch but can't.
Marley wants to break the clinch but can't.
Verne lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Verne throws a head punch that misses.
Marley blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Verne fails to land.

Verne breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marley just misses with a punch to the body.
Marley throws a shot from downtown. Verne moves away and avoids it.
Verne tries to close the distance and clinch but Marley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Marley jabs Verne right on the nose. Verne blinks but takes it well.
Verne connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Verne has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Marley finds it's way round the side to connect with Verne's head.
Marley throws a right and a left that Verne avoids nicely.
Verne feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Marley's calf.
Marley is breathing heavily.
Verne ducks under a wild hook from Marley.

Verne has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verne lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Nesta Marley has been cut.
Verne has a couple of punches blocked by Marley.
Verne lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Marley backwards.
Verne missing with knees to the body.
Verne lands a damaging elbow.
Marley is trying to break the clinch but Verne is controlling him.
Verne misses with a punch to the body.
Verne throws a head punch that misses.

Verne breaks from the clinch.

Verne instigates a clinch.
Verne doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Verne throws an elbow that misses.
Marley tries to break the clinch but Verne is controlling the position.
Marley lands with a short shot to the head.
Marley wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Verne has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verne pushes Marley back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Verne misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Marley.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Verne scores with a shoulder strike.
Verne tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Marley's elbow.
Marley stalling against the cage.
Verne tries a body shot but Marley blocks it.
Verne misses with a hook from the clinch.
Marley blocking some punches.
Verne is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Marley is defending well for now.
Marley tries to pull guard but Verne holds him up against the cage and eventually Marley drops back down to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Marley misses with a body punch.
Verne has a couple of punches blocked by Marley.
Marley blocks the elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Verne dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nesta Marley's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Verne connects with an inside leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Verne finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Marley. Those never looked like landing.
Marley swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Verne tries to clinch but Marley is having none of it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Verne.
Verne throws a quick inside leg kick.
Marley takes a swing at Verne's ribcage but misses.
Marley throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Marley takes a head kick and keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good leg kick by Verne there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Marley gets tackled into the cage by Verne. Verne maintains the clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Stalling in the clinch from Verne.
Johannes Verne seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
With the fighters up against the cage, Verne throws an elbow but misses.
Verne gets through Marley's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Verne just misses with a elbow thrown towards Marley's brow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Marley managing to block the knees to the body from Verne.
Marley misses with a punch on the inside.
Marley is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verne lands an elbow just above Marley 's eye.
Verne misses with a punch to the body.
Verne fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Verne lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Verne lands an elbow that stopped Marley in his tracks for a moment.
Verne lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Marley blocking some punches.
Verne working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Verne works on Marley's body with a couple of short punches.
Marley blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Verne throws a head punch that misses.
Verne misses with a knee to the head.
Marley tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Marley avoids a wild elbow strike from Verne.
Verne struggles to land a body shot inside as Marley controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verne goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Verne in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Verne misses with a short punch on the inside.
Verne goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Marley blocking some punches.
Verne misses with a punch on the inside.
Verne throws a punch but it's blocked by Marley.
Verne comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Verne tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Verne goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Verne misses with an elbow over the top.
Verne misses with the head strike.
Verne with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Marley blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Marley wants to break free but Verne has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verne misses with an elbow strike.
Marley avoids a wild elbow strike from Verne.
Verne keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Marley's efforts to push away.
Marley blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Verne fails to land.
Marley tries to break the clinch but Verne is controlling the position.
Verne goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Verne throws an elbow that misses.
Verne lands a nice uppercut.
Marley misses with the head strike.

Verne breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Verne explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A good leg kick by Verne.
Good work by Verne as he checks the leg kick.
Verne cracks the inside of Marley's front leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marley throws a body punch but Verne moves out of range.
A big left from Marley misses.

Verne rushes Marley and presses him up against the cage.
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!
Verne lands a right hand that snaps the head of Marley backwards.
Verne doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Verne working aggressively here.
Verne lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Marley is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Verne misses with an elbow over the top.
Verne has a couple of punches blocked by Marley.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Verne misses with a hook from the clinch.
Verne lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Verne lands an elbow just above Marley 's eye.
Verne tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Verne showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nesta Marley's cut.
That's time! Marley's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Verne clinches with his opponent.
Verne working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Marley blocks an elbow strike from Verne.
Verne lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Verne throws a punch but it's blocked by Marley.
Verne misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Marley creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Marley tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Verne smiles and moves away.
Verne throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Marley misses with an uppercut
and Verne counters with a good low kick that Marley was not able to check.
Verne scores with a push kick.
Verne fails in his attempt to clinch.
Marley throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Verne is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Verne closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verne misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Verne throws an elbow but it misses.
Verne swings wildly with an uppercut but Marley uses good head movement to avoid it.
Verne throws a knee to the head but misses.
Marley is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Marley is trying to pull guard but Verne turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Marley wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Verne has him pressed against the cage.
Verne lands a body shot.
Verne comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Marley dodges an elbow strike from Verne.
Verne misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Marley.
Verne misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Verne fails to land.
Verne misses with a punch on the inside.
Verne lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Verne misses with a punch on the inside.
Verne using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Marley has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Verne misses with a punch to the body.
Marley blocking some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Marley.
Verne keeps control of Marley as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Verne gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Verne prevents Marley from breaking the clinch.
Marley misses with a punch on the inside.

Verne pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johannes Verne seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Marley looks to throw the jab but Verne is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marley circles away from the clinch attempt.
Verne turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Verne doesn't manage to clinch there - Marley circles away.
Verne looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Marley looks to land a left hand but Verne moved out of range nicely.
Verne turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Verne moves in looking to clinch but Marley pushes him off.
Marley throws a jab but it's blocked by Verne.
Marley swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nesta Marley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Verne!
Verne looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Verne lands with a hook. Marley tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
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!

Verne closes the distance and pushes Marley back into the cage.
Verne lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Verne throws an elbow but it misses.
Marley tries a body shot but Verne blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marley creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Verne misses with a punch on the inside.
Verne stalling against the cage.
Johannes Verne is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Marley misses with a body punch.
Verne misses with some punches.
Marley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Marley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marley doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Verne working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Marley lands a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johannes Verne comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Verne has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johannes Verne!