PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Scott Keene (ranked 1219 p4p, 126 weight class) and Damiao Marcos (ranked 1169 p4p, 122 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.

Keene
vs
Marcos

180 cm
34
158 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

165 cm
27
155 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
FORCEE

IniTech Nutrition
Green Machine Nutritional Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Scott Keene!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Damiao Marcos!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Igor Prikhodko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marcos fails with an attempt to clinch.

Marcos rushes Keene and presses him up against the cage.
Marcos makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Marcos swings wildly with an uppercut but Keene uses good head movement to avoid it.
Keene tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Keene working aggressively here.
Marcos misses with a hook to the ribs.
Keene has had enough of the clinch but Marcos keeps him there for the moment.
Keene gets through Marcos's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Keene misses with a body punch.

Keene pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A right-left combo lands from Keene.
Keene scores with a shot to the body.
Keene lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Keene works Marcos's body with a nice hook.
Keene has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Rusterman's in the buildup to the fight.
Both fighters circling a little - Marcos finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Keene takes one on the button.
Nice shot lands for Marcos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Marcos.
An attempted straight right counter from Keene misses the target.
Keene throws a right hand that Marcos ducks under and follows up with a left that Marcos also avoids with ease.
A looping hook to the body misses from Marcos. Keene does a little dance to reset his feet.
Marcos fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Keene manages to avoid it.
It looked like Keene wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Damiao Marcos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marcos misses with a looping right.
Marcos misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Keene misses its intended target.
Marcos steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Keene.
Keene walks into a jab.
Marcos defending well as Keene loads up on a big left hand.
Keene ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marcos tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Keene is able to avoid easily.
Keene throwing a counter right hand but Marcos manages to avoid it.
Keene throws a lazy right hand but Marcos sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Marcos swings widly with a right hand
and Keene counters with a nice uppercut.
Keene swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Keene misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marcos throws a looping overhand right but Keene ducks down to avoid it.
Marcos tries to clinch up.
Keene moves out of range of the leg kick from Marcos.

Marcos has managed to clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Marcos.
A short right from Marcos on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Keene working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Marcos is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Keene is defending well.
A short right from Marcos.
Marcos swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Keene lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Marcos or not.
A short right from Keene.
Keene lands a shoulder strike.
Marcos misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Marcos doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Marcos working aggressively here.
Keene misses with a punch on the inside.
Keene misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marcos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Marcos misses with a body punch.
Keene takes a shot to the head.
Keene wants to get back to striking at distance but Marcos won't allow it.
A right hand to the body from Marcos.
Marcos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Marcos lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Marcos blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Marcos misses with a body punch.
Marcos scores with a shot to the side of Keene's head.
Keene is trying to force a seperation but Marcos has the dominant position.
Keene lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Marcos blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Marcos lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Keene pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marcos tries to clinch up.
Marcos loads up on a big right hand but Keene slips the punch.
Marcos misses with a lunging right hand
and Keene counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A clash of legs there as Keene blocks the low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Marcos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Keene was well out of range. Poor timing from Marcos.

Keene gets tackled into the cage by Marcos. Marcos maintains the clinch.
Marcos lands with a short shot to the head.
Keene misses with some punches.

Marcos works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Keene avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Marcos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Marcos missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Keene is looking to stand back up but Marcos counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Keene.
Keene is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Keene avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Marcos.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Damiao Marcos will probably get the nod.
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.

Marcos is looking to score with low kicks.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Marcos connects with a high kick.

Marcos clinches up against the cage.
Keene blocks an uppercut.
Marcos misses with the head strike.

Keene manages to break the clinch.
Marcos is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Marcos closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Keene to the mat! Keene manages to get full guard.
Marcos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Keene is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Marcos is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marcos trying to control but Keene is working from the bottom.
My spies in Brazilian Elite Team inform me that Marcos has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marcos working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Marcos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Marcos wants to control from the top but Keene keeps moving.
Keene is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Keene knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Marcos on the ground.
Marcos stands and throws Keene's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Keene parries the strikes from Marcos easily there. Marcos is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Keene to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Marcos trying to control the position but Keene is working away.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Keene regains half guard.
Marcos is looking to advance position but Keene won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marcos stops Keene from getting back to his feet.
Keene is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Marcos wants to free his trapped foot but Keene is holding on for dear life with his legs.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Damiao Marcos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marcos swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Marcos.
Keene is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Marcos.
Marcos takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Marcos is looking to land body kicks.
Marcos loads up on a big right hand but Keene slips the punch.
Marcos closes the distance and clinches up with Keene, looking for a takedown. Marcos pushes Keene against the cage but Keene circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Marcos uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Keene.
Keene lands a jab to the head.
Marcos misses with a lunging right hand
and Keene counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Keene on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Marcos throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Keene to counter with a crisp jab.
Marcos loads up on a big right hand but Keene slips the punch.
Marcos lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marcos cracks Keene with a right hand to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Keene scores with a hook to the body. Marcos takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Scott Keene is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Keene. Marcos does a little dance to reset his feet.
Marcos wants to clinch
letting Keene counter with a right hand.
Marcos darts in trying to clinch
and Keene counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Keene is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Keene uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marcos.
Keene throws out a loose jab but Marcos uses good head movement to avoid it.
Marcos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jab by Keene.
Marcos on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Marcos instigates a clinch.
Keene tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Damiao Marcos will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Keene's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Marcos doesn't manage to clinch there - Keene circles away.
Keene needs to keep his hands up - Marcos had a free shot at his head there.
Keene connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Marcos momentarily.
Marcos ducks under a wild hook from Keene.
Marcos walks into a stiff left hand from Keene.
A jab from Marcos misses.
Keene lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Keene misses with a looping left.
Marcos is looking to slow Keene down with leg kicks.
Marcos moves away from the strike by Keene.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marcos lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Marcos throws a push kick but Keene slaps the foot to one side.
Marcos on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marcos throws a leg kick that misses.
Keene dodges the punch combination from Marcos.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keene swats away the attempt to clinch by Marcos.
Marcos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Keene circles away.
Marcos tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Keene counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Keene misses with a looping left.
Marcos doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Marcos drives through and clinches with Keene against the cage.
Marcos misses with the head strike.
Keene scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Keene blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Marcos swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Marcos.
Keene has a couple of punches blocked by Marcos.
Keene lands a right hand.
Scott Keene has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marcos blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Marcos.
Keene fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Marcos lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Keene misses with the head strike.
Marcos softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Keene is rocked!
Keene misses with some punches.
Keene blocking some punches.
Keene throws a head punch that misses.
Keene doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Marcos misses with some punches.
Keene lands a hook to the side of the head.
Marcos misses with some punches.
Marcos misses with a punch to the body.
Marcos throws a punch but it's blocked by Keene.
Marcos lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Marcos has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Keene avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Keene misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keene goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Marcos can't get the takedown.
Scott Keene has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damiao Marcos.
Marcos tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Marcos fails to land.
Keene blocks a body shot from Marcos.
A head punch on the inside from Marcos fails to land.
A right handed body shot lands from Marcos.
Marcos is working Keene over against the cage.
Keene lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Keene gets through Marcos's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Keene fails to land.
Keene has a couple of punches blocked by Marcos.

Keene breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Scott Keene is winning the standup battle so far.
Marcos tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Keene manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Marcos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Marcos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Keene is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Marcos swings for the body but Keene moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Marcos finds it's target.

Marcos gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Marcos throws a head punch that misses.
Marcos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
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!

Keene breaks the clinch.
Marcos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Keene circles away quickly and effectively.
Keene swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Marcos with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Keene to score with a decent uppercut.
Keene scores with a jab to the jaw.
Keene misses the jab.
Keene scores with a jab to the head.

Marcos has taken the fight to the clinch.

Keene breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marcos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Keene takes a swing at Marcos's ribcage but misses.
Keene works the jab nicely.

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 Scott Keene.
I think Marcos has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Damiao Marcos!