PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mike Marsden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaly Smirnoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Marsden
vs
Smirnoff

165 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
135 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Marsden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Vitaly Smirnoff!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marsden tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smirnoff lands with a slapping head kick.
Smirnoff throws a series of punches but Marsden avoids them all with ease.
Smirnoff stalks Marsden and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Marsden's face. Marsden staggers backwards, shaken.
Marsden darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Marsden misses with a double jab.
Nice uppercut there from Marsden.
Marsden missing with a left hand there. Smirnoff was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smirnoff misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Smirnoff.
Marsden avoids the head kick by Smirnoff.
Marsden throws a sloppy head kick
and Smirnoff counters with a big head kick but Marsden shrugs it off.
Smirnoff thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Marsden if he has to take too many more of those.
A head kick misses from Smirnoff.
Marsden swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Smirnoff counters with a right hand to the body.
Smirnoff ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smirnoff throws a leg kick which misses Marsden's front leg but catches the back leg as Marsden tries to avoid it.
Mike Marsden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marsden lands a nice hook to Smirnoff's body. Smirnoff takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Smirnoff is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Smirnoff lands with a slapping head kick.
Smirnoff avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsden misses with a few strikes there.
Marsden on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Marsden has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Marsden throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smirnoff bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Marsden throws a head kick that misses
and Smirnoff counters with a head kick. That will keep Marsden thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Smirnoff tries a head kick but it misses.
Marsden waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smirnoff.
Marsden throws a right and a left that both miss.
Marsden connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Marsden falls off balance throwing a combination
and Smirnoff counters with a big head kick but Marsden shrugs it off.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses.
Smirnoff pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smirnoff looks to land a body kick but Marsden moved away.
Marsden misses with the combination.
Marsden throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnoff scores with a punch to the head.
Smirnoff looks for the body kick but Marsden saw that one coming.
Smirnoff scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Marsden scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Marsden throws a right and a left that Smirnoff avoids nicely.
Marsden blocks a head kick by Smirnoff.
Smirnoff lands with a nice combination. Marsden backs away looking to recover.
Marsden throws a sloppy head kick and Smirnoff moves out of range easily.
Marsden connects with a good right hand that stumbles Smirnoff. Smirnoff circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Smirnoff misses with the combination.
Smirnoff throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Marsden scores with a three punch combo!
Smirnoff misses with a body kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Marsden checks a leg kick.
Marsden pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Marsden pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnoff misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Marsden takes a kick to the side of the head.
Marsden feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smirnoff's calf.
Smirnoff tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnoff throws a lazy head kick
and Marsden counters with a straight right hand.
Marsden bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Smirnoff takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Smirnoff throws a series of punches but Marsden moves out of range.
Marsden is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smirnoff.
Marsden misses with a series of wild punches.
Good leg kick by Marsden there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A head kick by Smirnoff misses
and Marsden connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Marsden fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Smirnoff on the side of the head.
Marsden tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smirnoff was well out of range. Poor timing from Marsden.
Marsden misses with a combination
and Smirnoff counters with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsden throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smirnoff counters with a thumping low kick.
Smirnoff pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smirnoff scores with a three punch combo!
Marsden throws a head kick that misses.
Marsden lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Smirnoff at a distance.
Smirnoff gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Marsden counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smirnoff misses with a head kick.
Marsden misses with a looping left.
Smirnoff misses with a few strikes there.
Marsden throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Smirnoff counters with a head kick. That will keep Marsden thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
A low kick from Marsden misses
and Smirnoff counters with a big head kick but Marsden shrugs it off.
A low kick from Marsden is predictable there
and Smirnoff counters with a one-two to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marsden goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Marsden is breathing heavily.
Smirnoff takes a kick to the side of the head.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Marsden throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smirnoff counters with a nice kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Marsden throws a head kick that misses
and Smirnoff counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Marsden is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Mike Marsden is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marsden fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smirnoff throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Smirnoff misses with a head kick.
Smirnoff lands a head kick. Marsden smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Marsden throws a head kick that misses.
Marsden misses with a double jab.
Marsden throws a lazy right hand but Smirnoff sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Marsden checks a leg kick.
Mike Marsden is winning the standup battle so far.
Marsden looks to throw a body kick
and Smirnoff counters with a head kick. That will keep Marsden thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Marsden - that will leave a mark!
Smirnoff throws a solid leg kick but Marsden takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Smirnoff.
A head kick misses from Marsden.
Smirnoff misses with a combination
and Marsden counters with a three punch combo that has Smirnoff backing up. Smirnoff nods at Marsden to acknowledge the strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smirnoff throws a hook but Marsden avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsden moves out of range of the body kick.
Marsden misses with a body shot
and Smirnoff counters with a head kick. That will keep Marsden thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Marsden pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Marsden swinging wildly here.
Smirnoff throws a head kick but Marsden moves out of range.
Smirnoff throws a combination that misses
and Marsden connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Smirnoff throws a sloppy head kick
and Marsden counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Smirnoff tries to land a front kick but Marsden steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Marsden looks to land a left hand but Smirnoff moved out of range nicely.
Marsden avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Marsden slips a jab from Smirnoff.
Marsden throws a combination that misses
and Smirnoff counters with a straight right hand.
Marsden feints and then cracks Smirnoff's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smirnoff down.
Smirnoff throws a leg kick but Marsden sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Smirnoff.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnoff keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
No joy there for Smirnoff, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smirnoff moves out of range of the body kick.
Marsden throws the kick towards the body but Smirnoff avoids it.
Marsden misses the shot to the body.
Marsden throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice body kick from Smirnoff.
Marsden throws a head kick that misses
and Smirnoff counters with a nice uppercut.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses.
Smirnoff's corner calls for a 1-2. Smirnoff obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Smirnoff throws a sloppy head kick
and Marsden counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smirnoff tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Marsden misses the jab.
Marsden misses with a kick to the body.
The fighters circling - Marsden throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A solid body kick from Smirnoff.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marsden throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smirnoff counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Marsden is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Smirnoff throws a series of strikes that have Marsden backpedaling.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smirnoff. Marsden does a little dance to reset his feet.
Marsden misses with an uppercut. Smirnoff saw that one coming.
Marsden throws a sloppy head kick and Smirnoff moves out of range easily.
Marsden scores with a crisp jab that stopped Smirnoff in his tracks.
Marsden throws a wild body kick that Smirnoff sees coming a mile off.
Smirnoff throws a lazy head kick
and Marsden counters with a good, hard body kick but Smirnoff shrugs it off.
Marsden swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Smirnoff counters with a head kick. That will keep Marsden thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Marsden misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smirnoff.
The fighters circle momentarily. Marsden darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Smirnoff lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A good leg kick by Smirnoff.
Smirnoff delivers a nice body kick.
Marsden scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Marsden walks into a straight right hand from Smirnoff.
Smirnoff keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marsden.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsden misses with a head kick.
Smirnoff on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Marsden avoids the head kick by Smirnoff.
Marsden misses with a combination
and Smirnoff makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Marsden really felt that one!
Marsden fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Smirnoff.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Smirnoff - that will leave a mark!
Marsden blocks a head kick by Smirnoff.
Smirnoff throws a head kick but Marsden moves out of range.
Smirnoff darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A slapping body kick lands there for Smirnoff.
Marsden throws a looping overhand right but Smirnoff ducks down to avoid it.
Smirnoff misses with a head kick.
Marsden missing with a left hand there. Smirnoff was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smirnoff scores with a jab. Marsden acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mike Marsden will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Smirnoff tries to land a leg kick but Marsden saw it coming and moves away.
Marsden lands a jab-cross combination.
Smirnoff lands with a slapping head kick.
Marsden thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smirnoff throws a nice looking combination but Marsden bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Marsden. Smirnoff does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smirnoff lands a head kick!
Smirnoff moves away from the strike by Marsden.
Marsden connects with a right hand. Smirnoff shakes it off.
Smirnoff has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Marsden swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smirnoff avoids a kick to the body.
Smirnoff throws the kick towards the body but Marsden avoids it.
Marsden lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Smirnoff is rocked!
Marsden takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Smirnoff is still on wobbly legs! Can Marsden finish him?
Marsden lands a jab to Smirnoff's midsection.
Smirnoff seems to have recovered his senses.
Smirnoff misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Marsden will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marsden throws a jab but it's blocked by Smirnoff.
Marsden misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Marsden throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smirnoff counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick by Marsden misses
and Smirnoff counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Marsden lands with an overhand left.
Marsden attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Marsden blocks a head kick by Smirnoff.
Smirnoff thows a body kick. Marsden tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Smirnoff throws a sloppy head kick and Marsden moves out of range easily.
Marsden lands with a good body shot.
Marsden swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smirnoff lets loose with a powerful body kick. Marsden will feel that in the morning.
Smirnoff will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smirnoff throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Marsden.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marsden wants to land a leg kick but Smirnoff is out of range.
Smirnoff moves away from the strike by Marsden.
Smirnoff tries a head kick but it misses.
Marsden throws a leg kick
and Smirnoff counters with a head kick. That will keep Marsden thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Marsden lunges at Smirnoff with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Smirnoff's hand.
Smirnoff lands a slapping body shot.
Marsden throws a front kick aimed at Smirnoff's knee but Smirnoff avoids it well.
Marsden throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smirnoff tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Marsden. Smirnoff does a little dance to reset his feet.
Marsden throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smirnoff counters with a head kick.
Smirnoff slips a jab from Marsden.
Smirnoff tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A low kick from Marsden misses
and Smirnoff counters with a nice low kick that buckles Marsden's knee momentarily.
Smirnoff slips a straight right by Marsden.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnoff scores with a jab to the jaw.
Marsden attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Smirnoff throws a lazy head kick
and Marsden counters with a nice body shot.
Marsden fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smirnoff looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd cheers as Marsden lands an impressive looking overhand right. Smirnoff doesn't seem phased though.
Smirnoff throws a right and a left that Marsden avoids nicely.
A head kick misses from Smirnoff.
Smirnoff walks into a stiff left hand from Marsden.
Marsden scores with a hook to the body. Smirnoff takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Marsden scoring well with a low kick there.
Marsden lands a jab to the head.
Marsden misses with a wild body shot.
Good exchange - Marsden coming out on top.
Marsden moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smirnoff.
Marsden pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marsden turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Smirnoff pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Marsden lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Smirnoff backs up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnoff showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Marsden.
Marsden pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Marsden misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Smirnoff counters with a three punch combo that has Marsden backing up. Marsden nods at Smirnoff to acknowledge the strikes.
Smirnoff throws a hook but Marsden avoids it easily.
Smirnoff slips a straight right by Marsden.
Smirnoff lands a right hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Marsden.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smirnoff tries to land a front kick but Marsden steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Marsden loads up on a big right hand but Smirnoff slips the punch.
Marsden cracks Smirnoff with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Vitaly Smirnoff has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab from Smirnoff.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Marsden showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Marsden 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Marsden!