PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jaakko Ilmarinen (ranked 3788 p4p, 2208 weight class) and Billy Marques (ranked 457 p4p, 289 weight class). Marques has chosen Raining Blood as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Ilmarinen
vs
Marques

186 cm
28
197
7 - 10 - 1

191 cm
44
193
19 - 21 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 7 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jaakko Ilmarinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Billy Marques!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ilmarinen misses with a body kick.
Ilmarinen misses with an uppercut.
Marques appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A big right from Ilmarinen misses.
Marques bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ilmarinen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ilmarinen throws an off balance right hand
and Marques counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ilmarinen thinking.
Marques is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Marques avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Marques dives in and scores a takedown into Ilmarinen's guard.
Marques trying to control but Ilmarinen is working from the bottom.
Marques slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Marques postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ilmarinen pushes Marques off and gets back to his feet.
Ilmarinen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Jaakko Ilmarinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marques avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It seemed like Marques was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ilmarinen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ilmarinen misses the jab.
Ilmarinen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ilmarinen connects with a body shot.
Marques shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ilmarinen misses with an uppercut
and Marques connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circling - Ilmarinen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Marques changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ilmarinen bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ilmarinen misses with a wild body shot.
Ilmarinen is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marques throws a big shot that misses.
Ilmarinen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ilmarinen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ilmarinen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Marques slips a jab from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Marques throws a body shot but no joy.
Ilmarinen misses the jab.
Marques now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A big right from Ilmarinen misses.
Marques lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Marques ducks under a wild hook from Ilmarinen.
Marques lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ilmarinen at a distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Ilmarinen misses the target.
A jab from Ilmarinen misses.
Ilmarinen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Marques counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ilmarinen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Marques counters with a nice body shot.
Ilmarinen throws an off balance right hand
and Marques counters with a right hand to the body.
Marques connects with a body shot that sends Ilmarinen's belly button to the back.
Marques uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ilmarinen.
It seemed like Marques was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ilmarinen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ilmarinen throws a hook but Marques blocks it.
A nice side step and Marques releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ilmarinen misses with a hook to the body
and Marques counters with a nice uppercut.
Marques moves out of range as Ilmarinen throws a body kick.
Marques is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ilmarinen with a body shot.
Ilmarinen throws an off balance right hand
and Marques counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Marques will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ilmarinen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marques showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ilmarinen.
Marques changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marques misses with a shot to the body
and Ilmarinen counters with a nice uppercut.
Ilmarinen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Marques counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Marques.
Ilmarinen misses with a straight left.
Ilmarinen throws a body shot but no joy.
Marques appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Marques cracks Ilmarinen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Good exchange - Ilmarinen coming out on top.
Ilmarinen misses with a left hand
and Marques counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ilmarinen stuffs the takedown.
A swing and a miss from Ilmarinen.
Marques is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ilmarinen with a body shot.
Marques punishes Ilmarinen's body with a nice straight punch.
Marques is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Ilmarinen had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ilmarinen misses with an uppercut
and Marques counters with a nice body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen misses with an uppercut. Marques saw that one coming.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Marques! But no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jaakko Ilmarinen will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Marques takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ilmarinen scores with a body shot.
Marques blocks a jab.
Marques with the counter takedown but Ilmarinen avoids it easily.
Marques waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ilmarinen.
Marques drops his hands momentarily and Ilmarinen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ilmarinen throws a nice looking combination but Marques bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ilmarinen misses with a hook to the body
and Ilmarinen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Marques takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ilmarinen throws a lazy uppercut
and Marques connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Marques connects with a right hand. Ilmarinen shakes it off.
A big left from Ilmarinen misses.
And Marques tries to counter it with a takedown but Ilmarinen pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Marques dodges the punch combination from Ilmarinen.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ilmarinen throws a nice looking combination but Marques bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen misses with a straight left.
Ilmarinen misses with a left hand
and Marques counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ilmarinen misses with a hook to the body
and Marques counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ilmarinen throws a sloppy body shot
and Marques counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Marques loads up on a big right hand but Ilmarinen slips the punch.
Marques scores with a jab to the head.
Ilmarinen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Marques's head backwards.
Ilmarinen throws a nice looking combination but Marques bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Marques tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ilmarinen was well out of range. Poor timing from Marques.
Ilmarinen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Marques counters with a stiff right hand.
Marques lands a jab to the head.
A swing and a miss from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen throws a right hand that misses
and Marques counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marques moves in looking to clinch but Ilmarinen pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen throws a right hand that misses
and Marques counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Marques.
Ilmarinen misses with an uppercut.
Jaakko Ilmarinen is winning the standup battle so far.
Ilmarinen dips to his left and cracks Marques with an uppercut!
Jaakko Ilmarinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ilmarinen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Marques counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Marques misses with a body shot.
Marques ducks under a wild hook from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Marques steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen lands a right hook to the body.
Ilmarinen lands a really nice looking cross but Marques seems unphased.
Marques swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Marques tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen misses with the body kick
enabling Marques to counter with a crisp jab.
Ilmarinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marques moves away.
Marques drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ilmarinen defends it well.
Marques takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Marques ducks under a wild hook from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Marques counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ilmarinen just misses with a punch to the body.
A little jabbing left from Marques on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ilmarinen throws a right hand that misses
and Marques counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Marques tries to clinch but Ilmarinen moves out of range.
A left lands for Marques.
Marques steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ilmarinen. That one must have hurt.
Ilmarinen throws a poor cross that misses
and Marques counters with a straight right hand.
Marques takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ilmarinen misses the shot to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marques throws a jab but it's blocked by Ilmarinen.
Marques takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ilmarinen fails to land with a series of punches.
Marques is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ilmarinen with a body shot.
Marques uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ilmarinen.
Marques uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ilmarinen misses with a looping left.
Marques appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A punch combination from Ilmarinen misses.
Ilmarinen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ilmarinen misses with a kick to the body.
Marques swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Marques walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ilmarinen lands a jab to the head.
Marques throws the left hand but Ilmarinen avoids the punch easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jaakko Ilmarinen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ilmarinen throws a poor cross that misses
and Ilmarinen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Marques scores with a body shot.
Marques avoids a punch combination nicely.
Marques moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ilmarinen throws an off balance right hand
and Marques connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Marques cracks Ilmarinen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ilmarinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marques manages to avoid it.

Marques looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Marques trying to control the position from guard on top but Ilmarinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marques is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen trying to keep a closed guard but Marques is proving a slippery customer.
Ilmarinen pulls Marques in close to his closed guard and prevents Marques from doing any damage or advancing position.
Marques postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ilmarinen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Marques postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Marques postures up in Ilmarinen's guard and throws a big left but Ilmarinen blocks it.
Marques looking to pass the guard.
Marques trying to control but Ilmarinen is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ilmarinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ilmarinen misses with a looping left.
Marques lands with an overhand left.
Marques thuds a left hand into Ilmarinen's body.
Good shot there by Ilmarinen.
Marques steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ilmarinen.
Marques misses with a wild body shot.
Ilmarinen throws a series of punches but Marques avoids them all with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Marques changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ilmarinen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ilmarinen tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Ilmarinen is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen is trying to stand but he's just given Marques his back.

Marques has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Ilmarinen defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Marques's arms.
Ilmarinen wants to get back to his feet.

Marques working for a choke but Ilmarinen is defending well.

Marques has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Ilmarinen is defending well but eventually Marques manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Ilmarinen has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Billy Marques!
A very excited looking Billy Marques made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Jaakko Ilmarinen spoke after the fight, saying 'Lucky rat I had flu'.