PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Marsden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Wagner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marsden kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Feiticeira by Deftones. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Marsden
vs
Wagner

176 cm
35
170 lbs
31 - 22 - 1

181 cm
31
176 lbs
21 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu
MayheM sportswear

Bullet Proof System
Reaper Combatwear

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 31 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brandon Marsden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Wagner!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marsden scores with a jab. Wagner acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Marsden scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Marsden is looking for a kimura here.
We've been hearing that Marsden has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Wagner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Marsden.
Wagner trying to hold on to Marsden's head to control him but Marsden postures up.

Marsden is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Wagner is just riding it out for now. Marsden eventually gives up the hold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, if Marsden is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsden has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Wagner won't allow Marsden to pass to mount.
Marsden thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wagner's head.
Still in half guard, Marsden seems content to control.
Wagner told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Marsden wants to pass the guard but Wagner is defending well.
Marsden wants to take a breather but Wagner is having none of it.
Marsden throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Marsden uses his free foot to push down on Wagner's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Wagner.
Marsden has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Marsden breaks from Wagner's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsden throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Marsden punching from mount but Wagner doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Wagner is desperately trying to improve his position but Marsden has a good base and remains in mount.
Marsden throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Wagner because Marsden loaded up on that one.
Marsden throwing strikes here but Wagner is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Marsden scoring with strikes but Wagner is staying in there.
Wagner holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Marsden tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Wagner tries to lock up and control but Marsden gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Marsden controlling the position easily from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wagner taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsden trying to control but Wagner is having none of it.
Marsden with shots to the head and body - Wagner looks very uncomfortable down there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marsden in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Wagner taking shots to the head.
Wagner takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Marsden sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Marsden takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Marsden working Wagner over with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wagner avoids a series of strikes thrown by Marsden.
Wagner is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marsden with good strikes from the mount here!
Marsden thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Marsden lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Marsden breaks from Wagner's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Marsden with good strikes from the mount here!
Marsden unloads with some shots from mount but Wagner bucks and avoids them well.
Poor strikes thrown by Marsden there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Marsden unloads with some shots from mount but Wagner bucks and avoids them well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Marsden dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Marsden pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Marsden checks a low kick from Wagner.
Marsden shoots in for a double leg but Wagner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Marsden moves out of range as Wagner strikes.
Marsden changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Marsden looking to score a takedown here. Wagner is defending well but Marsden drives through and ends up in Wagner's guard.
Marsden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Marsden throws a big right hand that misses.
Wagner has control of Marsden's left arm, preventing Marsden from doing any damage.
Marsden engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wagner 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.
Wagner utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsden throws a big right hand that misses.
Brandon Marsden overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Marsden throws a strike but Wagner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Marsden looking for a guillotine here but Wagner defends easily.

Marsden is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wagner is aware though and is defending well.

Marsden escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wagner gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Marsden has his foot on Wagner's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wagner works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marsden is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wagner defends well.
Marsden manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wagner manages to get himself to full guard.

Marsden looking to sit in guard and control but Wagner gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Marsden looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wagner is one step ahead there.
Wagner's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner stopping the sweep attempt from Marsden.
Wagner seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Marsden is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Marsden is looking for a triangle but Wagner pushes his legs off easily.
Wagner trying to control but Marsden is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Marsden looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wagner is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Marsden looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wagner is one step ahead there.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marsden dives in and grabs Wagner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wagner pushes down on Marsden's head and hops out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Marsden dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Wagner lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Wagner.
Wagner ducks under a wild hook from Marsden.
Ryan Wagner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wagner throws out a leg kick but Marsden moves out of range and Wagner only half commits.
Wagner connects with a solid leg kick.
Marsden checks the leg kick nicely there.
Marsden changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Marsden blocks a leg kick.
Wagner connects with a good right hand that stumbles Marsden. Marsden circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Marsden takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A slow jab from Marsden misses its intended target.
Marsden lands a jab to Wagner's midsection.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Wagner enables Marsden to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Wagner manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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!
Marsden lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Marsden stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wagner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wagner has control of Marsden's left arm, preventing Marsden from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsden keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wagner's head.
Wagner looking to hit a scissor sweep but Marsden is one step ahead there.
Marsden trying to control the position from guard on top but Wagner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marsden throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wagner avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Marsden trying to control the position from guard on top but Wagner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marsden throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ryan Wagner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marsden is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wagner can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Marsden trying to control but Wagner is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Marsden controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Marsden connects with a crisp jab.
Wagner is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Marsden needs to keep his hands up - Wagner had a free shot at his head there.
Wagner lands a nice shot that snaps Marsden's head back.
Wagner looks to score with a jab to the body but Marsden is just out of range.
Marsden was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Wagner connects with a solid leg kick.
Wagner connects with a crisp jab.
Wagner throws a leg kick which misses Marsden's front leg but catches the back leg as Marsden tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsden misses with a wild body shot.
Marsden misses with an uppercut. Wagner saw that one coming.
Marsden blocks a low kick nicely.
Marsden checks the leg kick nicely there.
Marsden appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Marsden blocks a jab.
Wagner keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marsden.

Wagner gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Marsden to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wagner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Marsden.
Wagner keeping moving, preventing Marsden from controlling successfully.
Marsden lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Marsden lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsden throws a big elbow that misses.
Marsden in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marsden trying to control the position from guard on top but Wagner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wagner utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Marsden pushes down on Wagner's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Marsden thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wagner's head.
Marsden looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Marsden throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Wagner to regain full guard.
Marsden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Brandon Marsden.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Marsden, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:26
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Marsden!
Brandon Marsden looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'A weakling like you doesn't deserve fists to fight with, now go fade to nothingness!'.