PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Mardov (ranked 2507 p4p, 3450 weight class) and Stefan Muller (ranked 321 p4p, 431 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Muller's choice of entrance music: Samourai - by: Shurik'n. 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.

Mardov
vs
Muller

199 cm
29
209
2 - 4 - 0

189 cm
27
220
5 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Randy Mardov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stefan Muller!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muller pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Muller throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mardov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mardov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Muller scores with a jab to the jaw.
Muller stuffs the takedown attempt from Mardov. Mardov gets slowly back to his feet.
Muller uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mardov has time to react.

It looks like Randy Mardov has been cut.
Mardov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Muller swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mardov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A little jabbing left from Muller on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Muller misses with a straight right.
Muller moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Mardov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Muller momentarily.
Mardov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mardov fails with a takedown attempt.
A jab from Muller finds it's way through Mardov's defenses.
Muller fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mardov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Muller looks to score with a jab to the body but Mardov is just out of range.
Stefan Muller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mardov lands a jab to the head.

It looks like Stefan Muller has been cut.

Mardov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Muller was covering up waiting for the punch and Mardov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Muller keeping full guard, as Mardov tries to pass.
Mardov stopping the sweep attempt from Muller.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muller looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mardov is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muller looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mardov is one step ahead there.
Muller keeping moving, preventing Mardov from controlling successfully.
Mardov postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mardov tries to clinch up but Muller circles away and keeps his distance.
Mardov looks to score with a jab to the body but Muller is just out of range.
Mardov defending well as Muller loads up on a big left hand.
Muller uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mardov.
Muller with the counter takedown but Mardov avoids it easily.
Muller lands with a hook. Mardov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Muller throws the left hand but Mardov avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muller connects with a leg kick.
Muller throws a low kick but Mardov avoids it.
Mardov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Muller.
Mardov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Muller.

Mardov moves into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Muller.
Muller gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Randy Mardov's cut is getting worse.
Mardov dodges an elbow strike from Muller.
Mardov blocks an elbow strike from Muller.
Mardov blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Muller.

Muller pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Muller slips a straight right by Mardov.
Mardov throws a body punch but Muller moves out of range.
Stefan Muller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Muller fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mardov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mardov moves out of range of the strikes.
Mardov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Muller tries to work over Mardov's front leg with a kick but Mardov checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mardov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Muller moves away.
Muller displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mardov throws out the jab.
A jab from Muller misses.
Muller lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mardov at a distance.
Muller gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Mardov.
Muller attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mardov, as that shot connected.
Good standup being displayed there by Mardov as he connects with a hook.
Mardov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mardov ducks under a wild hook from Muller.
Muller throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Muller connects with an inside leg kick.
Mardov misses with a straight right.
Muller takes one on the button.
Mardov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Muller swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Mardov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An inside leg kick lands from Muller.
Muller throws an overhand right that lands on Mardov's shoulder, as Mardov tries to avoid the shot.
Mardov feinted with a counter takedown.
Muller pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stefan Muller dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A big left from Muller misses.
Mardov slips a straight right by Muller.
Muller lands a jab to the head.
Muller lands a jab to Mardov's midsection.
Muller throws an overhand right that lands on Mardov's shoulder, as Mardov tries to avoid the shot.
Mardov closes the distance and clinches up with Muller, looking for a takedown. Mardov pushes Muller against the cage but Muller circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mardov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Muller swings for the body but Mardov moves out of range.
Muller throws a leg kick but Mardov moved away.
Mardov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mardov fails with a takedown attempt.
Muller throws a shot from downtown. Mardov moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Muller misses.
Muller feints and then cracks Mardov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mardov down.
Mardov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Muller doesn't seem bothered though.
A low kick from Muller is predictable there
and Mardov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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!
Mardov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Muller.
Muller throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Muller has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mardov shoots in looking for a takedown but Muller manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mardov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As Mardov backs off Muller throws a huge counter combo but Mardov manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Mardov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muller punishes Mardov's body with a nice straight punch.
Mardov throws a shot from downtown. Muller moves away and avoids it.

Mardov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Muller being controlled here, momentarily.
Muller is trying to control the position but Mardov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muller looking to control but Mardov passes into half guard.
Well, if Mardov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Muller is trying to control but Mardov passes into side control!
Muller seems a little lost for a moment, as Mardov dominates the positioning.
Mardov wants to control but Muller is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muller is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mardov off and has taken his back!
Even with his hooks in, Muller manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Mardov is in bad spot here.
Muller lands a shot to the head.
Muller looking to hold on to the position here but Mardov rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Muller lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Muller loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Muller landing some decent shots from guard.

Randy Mardov's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Muller controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mardov controlling the position.
Mardov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Muller trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Muller throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mardov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Randy Mardov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mardov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Muller is one step ahead there.
Mardov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Muller throws a big elbow that misses.
Mardov controlling the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stefan Muller showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Muller thuds a left hand into Mardov's body.
Mardov fails to land the takedown.
A nice leg kick lands there from Muller.
Muller lands a jab to the head.
Mardov walks into a straight right hand from Muller.
Muller throws a leg kick but Mardov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Stefan Muller seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed right hand from Mardov misses the target.
Muller lands with a good body shot.
A big right from Muller misses.
Muller moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mardov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A low kick lands for Muller.
Mardov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Jeez, Randy Mardov's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Muller throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mardov sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muller throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mardov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Muller is looking to chop away at Mardov's legs.
Muller looks to land a right hand but Mardov moved out of range.
Muller scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Muller getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Mardov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Muller scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Muller is looking to slow Mardov down with leg kicks.
Mardov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Muller checks a low kick from Mardov.
Muller scoring well with a low kick there.
Mardov shoots in and drives through. Muller sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Mardov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mardov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Muller with a nice calf kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Muller stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Muller wants it to stay on the feet.
Muller waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mardov.
Nice shot by Muller.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mardov shoots in looking for a takedown. Muller tries to sprawl out of it but Mardov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Muller manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
It seemed like Muller was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mardov slips a jab from Muller.
Muller fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Mardov checks it well.
Mardov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Muller connects with a leg kick.
Muller jabs Mardov right on the nose. Mardov blinks but takes it well.
Muller connects with a solid leg kick.
Muller tries a low kick but Mardov avoids it.
Muller scores with a jab to the body.
Mardov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Muller lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Mardov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Mardov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Muller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mardov.

Mardov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Muller trying to control but Mardov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Mardov in particular looking to stall.
Muller is looking to improve his position.
Mardov prevents Muller from standing back up.
Mardov stalling.
Muller controlling the position well.
Muller tries to get to full guard but Mardov has control of the leg.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Muller tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Mardov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Muller wants to hold on but Mardov pushes him away.
Randy Mardov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mardov controlling from mount.
Mardov working the ground and pound effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stefan Muller comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Muller winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stefan Muller!
A relieved looking Stefan Muller thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.