PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Henry Marquet (ranked 2606 p4p, 319 weight class) and Bill Newton (ranked 2020 p4p, 263 weight class). Bill Newton has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Marquet
vs
Newton

181 cm
29
184 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

184 cm
23
197 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Henry Marquet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bill Newton!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Anthony Taglia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marquet stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Marquet wants it to stay on the feet.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Newton has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Marquet fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Marquet throws a combination that misses

and Newton counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Newton wants to pass to mount but Marquet is defending the position.

Newton is working for a kimura but Marquet is defending it quite comfortably.

Newton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marquet tries to kick Newton off but Newton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Marquet's coaches at The Bear's Den ($400) have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Newton trying to control the action but Marquet is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newton is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Marquet has managed to free his arm - good work.
Marquet manages to get to full guard.
Marquet is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Newton looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Marquet is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Marquet thuds his right hand into Newton's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Newton shoots in and bounces Marquet off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Newton trying to control but Marquet is working from the bottom.
Marquet looking to hit a scissor sweep but Newton is one step ahead there.
Newton is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marquet is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Newton trying to control the position from guard on top but Marquet is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Newton stops Marquet from standing up.
Newton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Marquet swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Newton is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Marquet darts in and clinches Newton up against the cage.

That's four 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.
Newton can't get the takedown.
Marquet throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Newtons head.
Newton blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Newton ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Newton no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Marquet tries to stand but Newton is controlling from the bottom.
Marquet being controlled here momentarily.
Newton not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marquet has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Newton is proving hard to escape from.
Newton controlling Marquet's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bill Newton will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Newton gets tackled into the cage by Marquet. Marquet maintains the clinch.
Marquet misses with a hook from the clinch.
Newton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Marquet just stands there and leans against the cage.
Marquet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Newton has clasped his hands together around Marquet's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Newton is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Marquet is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Newton tries to advance to mount but Marquet denies him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Newton is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Marquet is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Marquet controls the position for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newton trying to control the position but Marquet is working away.

Newton tries for a kimura but Marquet is defending well.

Newton swings around for an armbar but Marquet sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Newton's guard.
Newton is trying to keep Marquet in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marquet throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Newton works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Newton has a closed guard, preventing Marquet from standing up.
Newton is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Marquet gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Newton connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Newton slips a straight right by Marquet.

Marquet has closed the distance and engaged Newton in a clinch.
Newton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Marquet smiles and moves away.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton controlling the action here.

Newton is trying to work for a kimura but Marquet is defending well.

Newton seems to be working for a kimura but Marquet defends the submission attempt.

Newton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

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.
Marquet wants to get back to his feet.

Marquet is defending against the submission attempts here by Newton.

Newton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Newton prevents Marquet from standing back up.
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 Henry Marquet will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Newton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Marquet avoids it really well and circles away.
Marquet is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Newton.

Marquet fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Newton, pushing him back against the cage.
Newton has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Marquet after a bit of a struggle.
Marquet stalling in the clinch but Newton improves position.

Newton pulls guard successfully.
Marquet is looking to stand up but Newton won't let him.
Marquet trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newton wants to sweep but no luck.
Marquet wanted to stand there but Newton had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newton working a defensive guard here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Newton is on top in guard.

Newton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Newton pushing down on Marquet's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Marquet wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marquet is defending against the submission attempts here by Newton.
Marquet is trying to maintain the position but Newton is very close to passing his half guard.
Newton perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Marquet is looking to improve his position.
Bill Newton has got the better of the ground game so far.

Newton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Newton wants to control but Marquet is keeping him busy.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marquet has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Newton is working away from the top position though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Henry Marquet is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Newton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Marquet sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Henry Marquet has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bill Newton.

Marquet clinches with his opponent.
Marquet pressing his opponent against the cage.
Newton tries to pull guard but Marquet won't allow it.
Newton is trying to pull guard but Marquet turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Marquet misses with a short punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Newton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Newton tries to pull guard but Marquet holds him up against the cage and eventually Newton drops back down to his feet.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newton tries to pull guard but Marquet won't allow it.
Newton jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Marquet walks away with a smile on his face. Newton gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Newton clinches with his opponent.

Newton pulls Marquet into guard.
Marquet is looking to stand up but Newton won't let him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Newton has his hands on Marquet's head, controlling the position.

Newton is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Marquet defends well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bill Newton.
I think Newton has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!