PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Roman Bell (ranked 4044 p4p, 362 weight class) and Marlin Scars (ranked 6724 p4p, 435 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Bell
vs
Scars

170 cm
24
143 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Pit Bull Development

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Roman Bell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marlin Scars!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Albert Achterberg and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bell closes the distance and pushes Scars back into the cage.
Scars blocks an elbow strike from Bell.
Bell is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Scars to keep the fight standing.
Scars has Bell pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bell manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Bell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Bell drives through and clinches with Scars against the cage.

Bell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Bell darts in and clinches Scars up against the cage.

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

Bell drives through with a takedown into Scars's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bell is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Bell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Scars has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bell has managed to get both his arms back between Scars's legs - danger averted.

Bell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scars wants to improve his position but instead Bell has moved into half guard.

Scars looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bell trying to control from half guard but Scars is working away.
Scars is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Bell is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Scars has managed to free his arm - good work.
Scars is controlling Bell's trapped leg to prevent Bell from advancing to side control.
Bell tries to stand but can't do so whilst Scars controls his leg.
Scars pushes Bell off looking to stand but Bell dives back in and keeps control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Scars is not content to let Bell control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bell trying to pass the guard but Scars defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Bell dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Scars darts in looking for a takedown but Bell gets double underhooks and turns Scars into the cage.
And Bell counters with a quick kick to the body but Scars blocks it.
Scars tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bell sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Scars somewhat.

Bell drives through with a takedown into Scars's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bell passes into half guard.
Scars looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Scars is trying to stand back up but Bell is controlling him
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bell wants to free his trapped foot but Scars is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Scars wants to control but Bell is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bell controlling the action here.
Bell seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bell seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Bell not doing much here.
Scars is trying to maintain the position but Bell is very close to passing his half guard.

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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Scars takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Scars shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bell sprawls well. Bell wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Scars gets slowly back to his feet.
Roman Bell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marlin Scars.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bell throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Scars tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bell is in Scars's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Bell dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Scars has his takedown stuffed

and Bell counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Scars not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Scars tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Scars swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scars wants to sweep here but Bell controlling him for the moment.
Scars is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bell wants to get up but he can't break Scars's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scars keeping full guard, as Bell tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Scars shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Scars tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bell shoots in for a takedown but Scars shows good takedown defense.
Scars tries to clinch up but Bell circles away and keeps his distance.
Scars goes for a double leg but Bell avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bell continues to drive forward.
Bell thinks about countering with a head kick.
Roman Bell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marlin Scars.
Scars closes the distance and clinches up with Bell, looking for a takedown. Scars pushes Bell against the cage but Bell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bell feinted with a counter takedown.
Bell misses with a double jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Scars. Bell does a little dance to reset his feet.
Scars darts in looking for a takedown but Bell gets double underhooks and turns Scars into the cage.
Bell shoots in for a double leg but Scars sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Bell closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bell lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Scars pushes Bell off and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

Scars manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Horrible takedown attempt by Bell or perhaps it was just good defense by Scars, which made it look bad.
Bell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Scars can do to turn this around?
Scars tries to clinch up.
Marlin Scars has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roman Bell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
No luck for Bell with that takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marlin Scars.
Well Bell has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Bell!
After winning the bout, Roman Bell thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.