PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mordechai Marx (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Van Kirkland
vs
Marx

194 cm
34
285 lbs
21 - 19 - 0

193 cm
39
270 lbs
30 - 28 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Mikhail Van Kirkland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mordechai Marx!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marx throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Van Kirkland tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Marx is in Van Kirkland's guard.
Marx throws a big right hand that misses.
Van Kirkland has control of Marx's left arm, preventing Marx from doing any damage.
Van Kirkland can't keep his opponent in guard - Marx advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Marx is looking for a kimura here.
Van Kirkland is staying active underneath Marx, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Marx is working for a submission of some sort.
Marx winds up and cracks Van Kirkland with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marx is keen to just control but Van Kirkland is a slippery customer.
Marx is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Van Kirkland is looking for a sweep. Marx is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Marx is trying to work for a kimura but Van Kirkland is defending well.
Marx trying to control the action but Van Kirkland is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marx thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Marx seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are battling for position here. Van Kirkland manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Marx tries to free his leg and advance position but Van Kirkland is retaining full guard.
Marx loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Marx wants to control from the top but Van Kirkland keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Marx's coach down at V Elite Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Marx's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Marx misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Van Kirkland appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Van Kirkland uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marx.
Marx's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Marx duly obliges.
Marx changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van Kirkland tries to avoid it but Marx manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van Kirkland to the ground. Van Kirkland escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Marx tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Kirkland swivels and escapes.
Marx throws a hook to the side of Van Kirkland's head but Van Kirkland sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Van Kirkland shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Van Kirkland stands up over Marx, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Marx is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Van Kirkland working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marx trying to keep a closed guard but Van Kirkland is proving a slippery customer.
Van Kirkland is working Marx over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Van Kirkland is in close to Marx's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Van Kirkland stands up over Marx, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Marx working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Van Kirkland.
Marx is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Van Kirkland tries to free his leg and advance position but Marx is retaining full guard.
Van Kirkland stands up over Marx, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Marx looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Van Kirkland makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland chips away with some ground and pound.
Marx is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Van Kirkland is looking for a sweep. Marx is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Van Kirkland wants to control but Marx is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Marx content to control rather than advance.
Van Kirkland tries to get to full guard but Marx has control of the leg.
Van Kirkland gets back to full guard.
Van Kirkland is looking to sweep but instead, Marx has passed into half guard.
Marx seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Van Kirkland does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mordechai Marx will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Marx lands a body shot.
Marx misses with an uppercut. Van Kirkland saw that one coming.
Van Kirkland pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Van Kirkland moves in looking to clinch but Marx pushes him off.
Marx throws an overhand right that lands on Van Kirkland's shoulder, as Van Kirkland tries to avoid the shot.
It looked like Van Kirkland wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Marx slips under a jab.
Marx fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Kirkland manages to avoid it.
Marx swings widly with a right hand
and Van Kirkland counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Van Kirkland misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Van Kirkland decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Marx tries to roll over but Van Kirkland keeps him under control.
Van Kirkland is pressing down on Marx's thigh, looking to free his foot. Marx is holding on for now.
Marx taking some punishment here, with Van Kirkland in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marx is positioning himself well to prevent Van Kirkland advancing to mount.
Nice strikes from Van Kirkland there.
Marx tries to roll over but Van Kirkland keeps him under control.
Van Kirkland is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Van Kirkland landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Van Kirkland landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Marx is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Van Kirkland scores with a couple of nice shots.
Marx taking some punishment here, with Van Kirkland in his half guard.
Marx on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Van Kirkland slips a nice elbow through Marx's hands, connecting with Marx's forehead.
Van Kirkland trying to control from half guard but Marx is working away.
Van Kirkland landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Marx is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Marx! More strikes land and this one is all over! Van Kirkland jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mikhail Van Kirkland!