PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Horacio Martins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and DeMarus Clerence (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Martins
vs
Clerence

200 cm
23
215 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

190 cm
25
217 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Horacio Martins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, DeMarus Clerence!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Clerence misses.
Martins shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Clerence defends it nicely.
Martins avoids a punch combination nicely.
Clerence is trying hard to land a takedown here. Martins sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Martins is looking to clinch.
Clerence swinging wildly here.
Martins tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Clerence manages to circle out of the way.
Clerence has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Martins drives through with a takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martins stopping the sweep attempt from Clerence.
Clerence has his hands on Martins's head, controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Clerence 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clerence is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Clerence is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Clerence utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Martins trying to control the position from guard on top but Clerence is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Clerence can do anything to dispel that myth.
Martins controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Martins is looking to clinch but Clerence is avoiding it.
Clerence digs a good body shot into Martins's ribs.
Clerence connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Clerence shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Martins manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Martins looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Martins working a defensive guard here.
Clerence lands a couple of elbows.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Martins is on top in guard.

We've been hearing good reports from Martins's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martins trying to control but Clerence is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Clerence is on top in guard.

Clerence throwing strikes from guard but Martins blocks nicely.
Martins looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Clerence really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Martins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Martins has momentary wrist control but Clerence slips an elbow through the middle.
Martins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Clerence is one step ahead there.
Martins working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martins bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Clerence's guard.

Clerence 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.
Martins trying to control the position from guard on top but Clerence is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Clerence looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Martins puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DeMarus Clerence 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.

Clerence drives through with a takedown into guard.
Martins keeping moving, preventing Clerence from controlling successfully.
Clerence stands up over Martins, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Martins wants to stand and escape but Clerence is having none of it.
Martins lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Martins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Clerence trying to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martins content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martins gets to his feet - Clerence follows without any prompting.
Clerence digs a good hook to Martins's body.
Martins with a lazy takedown attempt
and Clerence counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Clerence bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Martins's head backwards.
Martins avoids a punch combination nicely.
Martins is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Clerence.
Martins avoids the body shot from Clerence.
Clerence swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Clerence has taken the fight to the clinch.
Martins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Martins tries a knee to the head but Clerence blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clerence has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Martins is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Clerence escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Clerence cracks Martins with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Clerence swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Clerence swinging wildly here.
Clerence is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Martins closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Martins lands in his opponent's guard.
Clerence avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Martins slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clerence manages to get to full guard.
Horacio Martins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Martins sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Clerence's guard.
Martins wants to lay and pray for a moment but Clerence keeps working.
Martins content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Clerence trying to control here.

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.
Clerence is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Martins is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Martins escapes and gets back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Some wild striking there from Clerence.
Martins is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Clerence.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but DeMarus Clerence will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Clerence connects with a single shot there.
Clerence scores with a jab to the head.
Martins looks to land a right hand but Clerence moved out of range.
Clerence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Martins moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Clerence lands with a good body shot.
Clerence lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Martins is trying hard to land a takedown here. Clerence sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Martins walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Martins fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Clerence avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clerence misses with a few strikes there.
Clerence shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martins tries to clinch but Clerence moves out of range.
Horacio Martins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Clerence, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A combination from Clerence does no damage.
Clerence takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Martins punishes Clerence's body with a nice straight punch.
Nice takedown defense from Clerence. No joy for Martins on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Horacio Martins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Clerence tries to score with a low kick but Martins moves his leg out of the way.
Martins tries to clinch but Clerence moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Clerence. No joy for Martins on that attempt.
Martins moves in looking to clinch but Clerence pushes him off.
Clerence throws a counter combo.
Clerence looks to land a combination but Martins avoids it well.
Martins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Clerence sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Martins somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martins fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A jab lands there for Clerence.
Clerence shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Martins defends it nicely.
Martins looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Clerence has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Martins throws a hook to the side of Clerence's head but Clerence sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Martins shoots in for a takedown but Clerence shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Martins wants to clinch but Clerence slips to the side
and Clerence counters with a stiff right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Martins fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martins tries to bum rush Clerence with a series of wild strikes but Clerence uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
DeMarus Clerence seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Clerence scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Clerence keeps the fight on the outside.
Clerence shoots in looking for a takedown. Martins tries to sprawl out of it but Clerence keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Martins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Clerence cracks a nice hook into Martins's ribs.
Martins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
As Martins backs off Clerence throws a huge counter combo but Martins manages to avoid it all.
Martins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Clerence throws a body shot but no joy.
No joy there for Clerence, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martins changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Clerence tries to avoid it but Martins manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Clerence to the ground. Clerence escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Clerence misses with a wild body shot.
Martins tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Clerence was well out of range. Poor timing from Martins.
Martins looks for a takedown but Clerence sprawls well.
Clerence scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Martins doesn't seem bothered though.
Clerence circles away from the clinch attempt.

Martins closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Clerence sneaks out the side door and pushes Martins away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clerence bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Horacio Martins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
DeMarus Clerence is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Martins shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

And that's the end of the fight!
DeMarus Clerence comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Clerence winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DeMarus Clerence!