PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marvin Striker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neal Erickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Striker's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Beastie Boys - Sabotage. Marvin Striker could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Neal Erickson's chin.

Striker
vs
Erickson

195 cm
20
250 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

225 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

THE END 32
Zenith Nutrition (160q)

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marvin Striker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Neal Erickson!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Ben Watson and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Striker gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Erickson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Striker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Striker is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Striker working Erickson over with knees to the body.
Erickson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Marvin Striker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Neal Erickson.

Striker wants the takedown. Erickson is fighting it off but Striker persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Erickson's guard against the cage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Striker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Striker lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Striker might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Erickson manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Erickson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Striker is defending well.
Erickson being controlled against the cage.
Erickson wants to take the fight to the mat but Striker manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Striker trying to land knees to the body.
Erickson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Striker prevents a takedown attempt there.

Striker gets control of Erickson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Striker will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Striker is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Striker manages to escape and get back to his feet.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Erickson has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Erickson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Striker manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Erickson tests Striker's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Erickson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Striker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Erickson.
Striker is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Erickson. Striker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Striker thinks about countering with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Striker is trying hard to land a takedown here. Erickson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Erickson throws out a counter right but Striker avoids it with no problem.
Striker takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Striker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Erickson.
Erickson misses with a few strikes there.
Striker appears to be looking for a big counter.

Striker closes the distance and pushes Erickson back into the cage.
Striker lands a body punch in the clinch.
Erickson tries for a takedown but Striker manages to get underhooks.
Erickson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Striker fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Striker pushes Erickson up against the cage in a clinch.
Erickson is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Striker landing knees to the body.
Erickson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Erickson looks winded!
Striker tries to score a body lock takedown but Erickson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Striker lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Erickson backwards.
Erickson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Striker controlling the action here for a moment.

Striker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Striker rushes Erickson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Striker breaks from the clinch.

Striker takes the fight into the clinch.
Striker looking to throw knees to the head but Erickson is blocking nicely.
Erickson is trying to drag Striker to the mat but Striker just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Striker digs a right hand underneath Erickson's ribcage. Erickson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Striker taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erickson wants a takedown but no success here.
Striker slowing the pace effectively.
Erickson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Striker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Erickson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Striker gets underhooks to prevent Erickson's takedown attempt.
Erickson tries for a takedown but Striker manages to get underhooks.

Striker has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Erickson uses from the top position.
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!
Erickson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Striker is pulling down on Erickson's head. It's preventing any offense from Erickson, at least for the moment.
Erickson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Striker is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Erickson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Striker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marvin Striker dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Striker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Erickson.
Erickson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Striker was well out of range. Poor timing from Erickson.
Striker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Erickson manages to avoid it.
Striker tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Erickson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Erickson scores with a body shot.
Striker looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Erickson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Erickson looks to land a right hand but Striker moved out of range.
Erickson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Striker sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Striker throws a wild body kick that Erickson sees coming a mile off.
Erickson looks for a takedown but Striker sprawls well.

Striker has Erickson up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erickson is pressed up against the cage. Striker has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Erickson down to the mat. Erickson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Erickson throws out a loose jab but Striker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Striker changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Marvin Striker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Striker gets a clinch.
Striker lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Erickson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Striker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Erickson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Striker pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Marvin Striker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Neal Erickson.
Erickson is trying to drag Striker to the mat but Striker just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
With the fighters up against the cage, Striker throws an elbow but misses.
Marvin Striker has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Erickson is looking for a takedown.
Striker stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The referee calls for Striker to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Striker.
Erickson is trying to drag Striker to the mat but Striker just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Striker here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Erickson is working for takedown but Striker is calmly controlling the position for now.
Striker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Striker lands with a right to the head.

Striker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Erickson keeps the fight on the outside.
Striker takes one on the button.
Striker moves in looking to clinch but Erickson pushes him off.
Erickson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Striker misses with a body shot.

Striker pushes Erickson up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Erickson is looking for a takedown.
Erickson has Striker pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Striker manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Erickson is looking for a takedown.
Erickson is breathing heavily.
Erickson looking for a takedown.
Striker gets underhooks to prevent Erickson's takedown attempt.
Striker lands a shot to the body.

Striker manages to break the clinch.
Striker takes a swing at Erickson's ribcage but misses.
Erickson feints the counter takedown.

Striker pushes Erickson up against the cage in a clinch.
Striker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Striker is stalling here.
A right hand to the body from Striker.
Striker scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Striker just leaning against Erickson, taking a breather.
Striker has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Erickson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Striker throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ericksons head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erickson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Striker gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Striker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Striker tries to clinch but Erickson is having none of it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Erickson tries to score a body lock takedown but Striker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Erickson is looking to take this one to the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Erickson being controlled against the cage.
Erickson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Striker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Erickson's brow.
Striker stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Striker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Striker fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marvin Striker dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Erickson tries to keep at a distance but Striker has taken the fight into the clinch.
Erickson wants a takedown but no success here.

Striker decides to pull guard.

Striker has his feet on Erickson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Striker wants to clinch up but Erickson keeps it at a distance.
And Erickson tries to counter it with a takedown but Striker pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Striker clinches up with Erickson and pushes him back against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Striker obliges.
Striker lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Erickson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Striker gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Striker is trying to trip Erickson. He has hold of a leg but Erickson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Striker persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Striker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Erickson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Erickson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Striker gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Erickson stuffs the takedown attempt from Striker. Striker gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Striker has managed to clinch.
Erickson managing to block the knees to the body from Striker.
Erickson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Marvin Striker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Neal Erickson.
Striker prevents the takedown attempt.
Striker is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Striker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Striker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Erickson sprawls well. Erickson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Striker gets slowly back to his feet.
Striker pivots, looking for a leg kick but Erickson is out of range and Striker settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Striker wants to clinch but Erickson slips to the side

and Erickson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Striker's guard.

Striker has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Erickson has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Striker cracks Erickson with a nice body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Striker scores with a hook to the body.
Striker working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Striker works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A right handed body shot lands from Striker.
Striker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Striker lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Marvin Striker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Striker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Striker closes the distance and clinches up with Erickson, looking for a takedown. Striker pushes Erickson against the cage but Erickson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Erickson misses with a hook
and Striker counters with a left and a right that stings Erickson.
Striker lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Erickson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Striker clinches with his opponent.
Striker lands with a short shot to the head.
Erickson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Striker gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Striker pulls Erickson into guard.
Striker looking for a sweep. Not yet Striker, not yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Striker holds on and takes a little breather.
Striker looking for a sweep. Not yet Striker, not yet.

Striker has his feet on Erickson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erickson wants to slow Striker down by chopping away at his legs.
Erickson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Striker manages to avoid it.
Striker thinks about countering with a head kick.
Erickson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Striker manages to avoid it.
Neal Erickson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Erickson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Striker defends well and Erickson ends up having to push Striker into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Striker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Erickson.
Erickson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Striker.
Striker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Erickson.
The fight stays on the outside here - Striker looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Erickson feints the counter takedown.
Striker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Erickson.
Striker is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marvin Striker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Striker, 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marvin Striker!
An out of breath Marvin Striker thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.