PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Merlin Avila (ranked 24715 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ashley Marshall (ranked 6376 p4p, 0 weight class). Ashley Marshall has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Avila
vs
Marshall

199 cm
20
193 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

180 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Merlin Avila!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ashley Marshall!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Sosuke Kotani and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marshall.
Marshall fails with a takedown attempt.

Marshall closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Avila to the mat! Avila manages to get full guard.
Avila 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Avila manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Avila lands a good knee to the midsection. Marshall won't want to take too many of those.

Avila decides to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall won't allow Avila to get back to his feet.

Marshall gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Avila scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Marshall tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Avila really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Avila controls the position.
I really don't envy Marshall right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
I would not like to be Marshall right now.
Marshall trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Avila working for a choke but Marshall is defending well.
Marshall trying to control the hands but Avila won't let him.
Marshall wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall just trying to survive but Avila is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Marshall is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Avila is staying active.
Avila is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Avila seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Marshall for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Marshall tries to escape but Avila has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Marshall is trying to shake Avila off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! Avila won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
Avila fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Marshall avoids it really well and circles away.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marshall.
Merlin Avila has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ashley Marshall.
Marshall shoots in but Avila avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merlin Avila dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Merlin Avila's cut.
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.

Nice sprawl there from Marshall as Avila shoots in.
Avila stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Avila wants it to stay on the feet.
Marshall fails with a takedown attempt.
Avila shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Marshall pinned against the cage. Marshall gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ashley Marshall seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Marshall darts in and clinches Avila up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee is keeping an eye on Marshall - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall misses with a hook to the ribs.
Marshall tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Avila smiles and moves away.
Merlin Avila has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ashley Marshall.

Avila throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Marshall was covering up waiting for the punch and Avila finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Marshall wants to get back to his feet but Avila passes into half guard.

Avila will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Marshall is trying is best to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Avila controlling the pace.
Marshall wants to get back to full guard.
Marshall trying to control but Avila postures up.

Avila is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Avila content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avila passes the guard and advances to mount!
Marshall is desperately trying to improve his position but Avila has a good base and remains in mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Avila looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Marshall tries to buck Avila off but he can't manage it.
Avila takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall is looking to improve his position but Avila isn't that keen on the idea.
Avila lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Marshall can't escape the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
BOOM! Avila connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Marshall is breathing heavily.
Avila controlling the pace for now.
Avila continues to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merlin Avila dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Merlin Avila's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Avila shoots in but no luck this time.
Marshall swings for the body but Avila moves out of range.

Marshall fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Avila, pushing him back against the cage.

Marshall pulls guard successfully.
Avila not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Avila postures up.

Marshall is looking for a triangle but Avila pushes his legs off easily.
Avila is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marshall can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Avila slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avila is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Merlin Avila overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Marshall working a defensive guard but Avila passes into half guard.
Avila content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Marshall has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Avila is working away from the top position though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Marshall moves into the clinch.

Marshall manages to pull guard.
Avila won't allow Marshall to sweep him here.
Marshall takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Avila controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Avila lands a couple of elbows.

Marshall has an active guard here but Avila has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall pushes Avila off but Avila dives into side control.
Avila controlling the position.

Avila stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Avila is trying hard to land a takedown here. Marshall sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Marshall rushes Avila and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Marshall pulls guard successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avila is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Avila drops back looking for a leg! Marshall is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Marshall manages to kick Avila off! Avila jumps back into Marshall's guard.
Avila is stalling in the full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Avila gets to his feet. Marshall looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ashley Marshall comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Avila has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merlin Avila!