PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Julio marques (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy OKrapp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Julio marques has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

marques
vs
OKrapp

180 cm
21
170 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

175 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Julio marques!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tommy OKrapp!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Anthony Taglia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
marques throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around OKrapp's waist but OKrapp gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing marques off to one side.
Julio marques seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

OKrapp darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
marques controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
marques moves into full guard.
OKrapp must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
OKrapp trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
marques wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
OKrapp won't allow marques to sweep him here.
marques has a closed guard, preventing OKrapp from standing up.
OKrapp being controlled here momentarily.
marques avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
marques controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OKrapp trying to control the position from guard on top but marques is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
marques is trying to control the position but OKrapp postures up.
marques wants to sweep but no luck.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

OKrapp closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming marques to the mat! marques manages to get full guard.
OKrapp throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
OKrapp looks gassed!
OKrapp is looking to work some ground and pound but marques has wrist control.
marques looking to hit a scissor sweep but OKrapp is one step ahead there.
marques is trying to control the position but OKrapp postures up.
marques wants to sweep here but OKrapp controlling him for the moment.
marques managing to control the position.
marques preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
marques looking to hit a scissor sweep but OKrapp is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

OKrapp gets the takedown into side control.
marques parries the strikes from OKrapp easily there. OKrapp is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable marques to escape.
OKrapp working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
You can see the frustration on marques's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
marques is not content to let OKrapp control the position.
marques seems a little lost for a moment, as OKrapp dominates the positioning.
OKrapp lands a decent elbow from side control.
OKrapp working the head with strikes.
marques tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
marques takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Check out the look on OKrapp's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
marques is being controlled here.

OKrapp thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

OKrapp is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. marques knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
marques regains half guard.
OKrapp is thwarting marques's attempts to control the position.
OKrapp working over marques with some ground and pound. marques looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
OKrapp lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

OKrapp seems to be looking for submissions.
OKrapp seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but marques does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

marques looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
OKrapp looking to control.
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 sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed OKrapp's guard.
OKrapp tries to roll over but marques keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy OKrapp dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

OKrapp shoots in and bounces marques off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
OKrapp postures up in marques's guard and throws a big left but marques blocks it.
marques looking to control.
marques keeping moving, preventing OKrapp from controlling successfully.
marques looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

OKrapp drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and OKrapp jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
OKrapp is fighting to break marques's control of his arms but marques is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
OKrapp thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
marques seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as OKrapp accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
OKrapp trying to control the position from guard on top but marques is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
marques is controlling OKrapp's posture.
marques wants to sweep but no luck.
OKrapp trying to control but marques is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as marques holds on and takes a little breather.
marques is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

OKrapp closes the distance and clinches.

OKrapp's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A kick lands to the mid section there for OKrapp.

OKrapp drives through with a takedown into guard.
marques keeping full guard, as OKrapp tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now marques is on top in guard.
OKrapp looking to hit a scissor sweep but marques is one step ahead there.
marques's corner is telling him to maintain position.
OKrapp looking for a sweep. Not yet OKrapp, not yet.
OKrapp keeping moving, preventing marques from controlling successfully.
marques stopping the sweep attempt from OKrapp.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OKrapp doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
marques stopping the sweep attempt from OKrapp.
marques is fighting to break OKrapp's control of his arms but OKrapp is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

marques closes the distance and pushes OKrapp back into the cage.

OKrapp drags the fight down to the ground.
marques is pushing down on OKrapp's leg trying to pass to half guard. OKrapp is fighting to maintain full guard but marques has managed to sneak the leg through.
marques is keen to just control but OKrapp is a slippery customer.
marques is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because OKrapp is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
OKrapp tries to roll over but marques keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, marques seems content to control.
marques passes to side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if OKrapp can do anything to dispel that myth.
OKrapp is looking for a sweep.
marques trying to control the action but OKrapp is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on OKrapp's face as marques controls the position.
OKrapp is looking to reverse the position.
OKrapp is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
OKrapp is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on marques's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
OKrapp is looking for a sweep. marques is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy OKrapp showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! marques's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

marques doesn't succeed with the takedown

and OKrapp counters with a nice double leg into side control. marques won't be happy with that.
OKrapp in side control lands a decent elbow.
OKrapp working the ground and pound but marques is defending the strikes.
marques tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but OKrapp wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
OKrapp is staying tight to marques's torso, preventing him from escaping.

OKrapp wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by marques, who protects the arm well.
OKrapp cracks marques with a big right hand but marques just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Tommy OKrapp has got the better of the ground game so far.
OKrapp wants to lay and pray for a moment but marques keeps working.
marques struggling a bit here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

OKrapp looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for marques!

That's one minute gone in the round.
OKrapp with a couple of short strikes.

OKrapp is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but marques is surviving well by controlling OKrapp's body position as best he can.
marques tries to hold on but OKrapp pushes him away.
OKrapp landing strikes from the mount.
marques is in a horrible position here. OKrapp smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
marques sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
marques keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

OKrapp seems to be working for a kimura but marques defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
OKrapp thows a huge punch but marques dodges it nicely.
marques trying to control here.
OKrapp drops an elbow to the side of marques's head.
marques is trying to control but can't.
Ground and pound from OKrapp.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
marques has his takedown stuffed

and OKrapp counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by OKrapp.
OKrapp postures up in marques's guard and throws a big left but marques blocks it.
OKrapp stands up over marques, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
OKrapp wants to stand but marques has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
marques working a defensive guard here.
OKrapp wants to get up but he can't break marques's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
marques is adopting a defensive guard.
marques looking to control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

marques gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
marques seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
OKrapp wants to get up but he can't break marques's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
OKrapp tries to free his leg and advance position but marques is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OKrapp trying to control but marques is working from the bottom.
OKrapp throwing strikes but missing.
Tommy OKrapp is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
OKrapp with a flurry of punches that miss.
marques not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
marques fails with the takedown

and OKrapp counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for marques!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio marques. That's going to take a lot out of him.
marques tries to lock up and control but OKrapp gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
marques is trying to escape the mount.
marques is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
marques keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Julio marques has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
marques is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy OKrapp comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well OKrapp has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy OKrapp!