PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Emmanuella Knapp (ranked 5851 p4p, 6074 weight class) and Ivan Marcum (ranked 591 p4p, 604 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Knapp
vs
Marcum

183 cm
26
170
2 - 5 - 0

182 cm
25
177
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Emmanuella Knapp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ivan Marcum!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Dirk Anderson and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marcum slips a jab and a cross from Knapp.
Knapp dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Knapp keeps Marcum at a distance using the push kick.
Knapp lands a nice shot to the body.
Marcum looks to score with a jab to the body but Knapp is just out of range.
Marcum just misses with a punch to the body.
Knapp throwing a counter right hand but Marcum manages to avoid it.
We've been told by Knapp's head coaches at Walter J Abramowitz Center for Bigness that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Knapp throws a right and a left that both miss.
Marcum changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Knapp lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Knapp misses the jab.
Nice body punch from Knapp.
Knapp throws a looping overhand right but Marcum ducks down to avoid it.
Marcum misses with a wild body shot.
Knapp scores with a head kick. Marcum tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Marcum shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Knapp trying to control from the bottom.
Knapp knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Marcum on the ground.
Marcum keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marcum is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knapp tries to roll over but Marcum keeps him under control.
Marcum uses his free foot to push down on Knapp's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Knapp.
Marcum tries to control but Knapp wriggling away.
Knapp tries to reverse the position but Marcum maintains control.
Knapp is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Marcum with the ground and pound from mount.
Knapp on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Knapp tries to get out of the position.
Knapp swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Marcum looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Marcum tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Marcum is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Knapp can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Marcum scoring with strikes but Knapp is staying in there.

That's two 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!
Knapp is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Knapp is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Marcum locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Knapp is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ivan Marcum!
During a confident post fight interview, Ivan Marcum thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.