PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Newton Ratliff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marko Lazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ratliff
vs
Lazar

195 cm
18
177 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Newton Ratliff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marko Lazar!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Paulsen Ambrosius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ratliff wants to clinch up but Lazar keeps it at a distance.

Ratliff drives through with a takedown into Lazar's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Lazar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Lazar working for submissions but it's allowed Ratliff to get to half guard.
Ratliff throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Lazar to regain full guard.
Ratliff passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Lazar wants to get back to full guard.
Ratliff stops Lazar from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lazar is trying to control but can't.
Lazar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ratliff will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lazar wants to control but Ratliff is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lazar is looking to get back to full guard here but Ratliff has managed to pass to side control instead.
Ratliff prevents Lazar from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lazar is trying to control Ratliff's posture but Ratliff avoids it.
Lazar tries to bench press Ratliff off him but Ratliff keeps the position.

Ratliff is trying to get an arm triangle but Lazar is defending well.
Ratliff fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Lazar on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Ratliff 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lazar can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ratliff lands a few punches from side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Ratliff.
Lazar is looking for a sweep.
Lazar looks winded!
Ratliff looks up at the clock and then as Lazar takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Ratliff smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Ratliff is working Lazar over with some ground and pound from side control.
Ratliff connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Lazar some visible discomfort.
Ratliff connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Lazar some visible discomfort.
Ratliff in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lazar is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ratliff working the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lazar is looking to reverse the position.
Ratliff scores with punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Newton Ratliff dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ratliff moves out of range of the leg kick from Lazar.

Lazar clinches with his opponent.

Ratliff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ratliff really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ratliff throws a good cross that connects.
Ratliff fails with the takedown.

Lazar gets a double leg takedown into Ratliff's guard.
Ratliff bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lazar's guard.
Ratliff scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ratliff is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lazar wants to stand but Ratliff is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lazar is trying to control the position but Ratliff postures up.
Ratliff throwing strikes from guard but Lazar blocks nicely.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lazar working a defensive guard here.
Lazar is breathing heavily.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Marko Lazar was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Lazar darts in and clinches Ratliff up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lazar prevents the takedown attempt.

Lazar has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ratliff uses from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lazar looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ratliff throws a big right hand that misses.
Lazar controlling Ratliff's posture.
Lazar being controlled here, momentarily.
Newton Ratliff overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lazar swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Ratliff counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lazar won't be happy with that.
Ratliff working the ground and pound.

Ratliff wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lazar, who protects the arm well.
Ratliff scoring with punches and elbows.
Lazar takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Lazar is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ratliff works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Ratliff goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Lazar has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ratliff but great work by Lazar.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lazar trying to control the position but Ratliff is working away.
Ratliff is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lazar off and has taken his back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Ratliff. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

Ratliff is looking for the choke from the back position but Lazar is controlling his hands well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Newton Ratliff dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lazar misses with a looping left.
Lazar misses the shot to the body.

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

Ratliff gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Ratliff gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Good leg kick by Lazar there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Lazar darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lazar wants to control but Ratliff is keeping him busy.
Lazar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lazar looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ratliff tries to roll over but Lazar keeps him under control.
Lazar is thwarting Ratliff's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lazar is looking to take a break and control but Ratliff is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Lazar is looking for a kimura here.
Ratliff is controlling Lazar's trapped leg to prevent Lazar from advancing to side control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ratliff is trying to stand.
Lazar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ratliff does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lazar is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Lazar postures up in Ratliff's guard and throws a big left but Ratliff blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ratliff has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lazar can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lazar passes Ratliff's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ratliff is looking to control Lazar's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ratliff avoid being mounted?
Ratliff wants to improve his position but Lazar is controlling well.
Lazar tries to pass to full mount but Ratliff defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lazar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ratliff keeps working.
Ratliff is trying to stand back up but Lazar is controlling him
Ratliff trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Ratliff tries to roll over but Lazar keeps him under control.
Lazar is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Lazar drives through with a takedown into Ratliff's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Marko Lazar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Newton Ratliff is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lazar is fighting to break Ratliff's control of his arms but Ratliff is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marko Lazar.
I think Ratliff 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Newton Ratliff!