PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mihajlo Marinkovic (ranked 4887 p4p, 459 weight class) and Laurence Paul (ranked 6143 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Marinkovic
vs
Paul

190 cm
23
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

201 cm
25
211 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mihajlo Marinkovic!
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, Laurence Paul!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Winston Alpacca and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Paul shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Marinkovic napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Marinkovic sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Paul wants to take a breather but Marinkovic is having none of it.
Paul is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Marinkovic has his hands clasped together around Paul's back. He's all about the action.
Paul wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Marinkovic uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paul looking to pass the guard.
Paul sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marinkovic keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
Paul looking to pass the guard.
Paul wants to stand but Marinkovic has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Marinkovic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Paul defends it easily.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Marinkovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Marinkovic is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Paul is defended easily by Marinkovic.
Marinkovic avoids a punch combination nicely.

Marinkovic fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Paul to the ground. Marinkovic is now in Paul's guard.

Paul wriggles free and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Marinkovic counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Marinkovic.

Marinkovic gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Paul is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Marinkovic pulls his head out easily.

Paul looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Marinkovic not doing much here.
Paul tries to roll over but Marinkovic keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul is trying to control but can't.
Marinkovic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Paul wants to control but Marinkovic is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Marinkovic content to control rather than advance.
Marinkovic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Marinkovic drives through and clinches with Paul against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mihajlo Marinkovic will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Paul throws a body shot but no joy.
Marinkovic doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Paul counter with a right hand.

Marinkovic clinches up with Paul and pushes him back against the cage.
Marinkovic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paul blocks it with crossed arms.

Marinkovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Marinkovic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Paul will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Marinkovic up against the cage.
Paul wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paul tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Marinkovic just stands there and leans against the cage.
Paul just leaning against Marinkovic, taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Marinkovic is trying to drag Paul to the mat but Paul just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Marinkovic breaks the clinch.
Marinkovic avoids the head kick by Paul.
Marinkovic blocks a head kick by Paul.
Marinkovic circles away from the clinch attempt

and Marinkovic decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Paul's guard.

Paul uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Marinkovic has Paul up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paul ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Paul no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marinkovic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paul is looking to stand up but Marinkovic isn't so interested in that idea.
Paul keeping moving, preventing Marinkovic from controlling successfully.

Paul throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Marinkovic postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marinkovic wants to get up but he can't break Paul's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Paul being controlled here, momentarily.
Paul looking for a sweep. Not yet Paul, not yet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Paul shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Marinkovic but Marinkovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Paul fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Marinkovic, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four 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.
Marinkovic controlling the action here for a moment.

Marinkovic pulls Paul into guard.
Paul pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marinkovic is keeping the position for now.
Marinkovic wants to stand up but Paul is controlling him.
Marinkovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paul is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marinkovic has momentary wrist control but Paul slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Laurence Paul will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Paul tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Marinkovic swivels and escapes.
Marinkovic misses with the body kick
and Paul counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Marinkovic rushes Paul and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Paul breaks from the clinch.
Paul closes this distance looking for a takedown but Marinkovic circles away.
Paul shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Paul shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Marinkovic tries to get to full guard but Paul has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marinkovic is refusing to be controlled, as Paul sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marinkovic is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Paul's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Paul's back!
Paul is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paul takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Marinkovic looking to break Paul's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Paul remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Marinkovic will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Paul is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Paul is trying to get back to his feet but Marinkovic has full control of the position and if anything, Paul has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marinkovic just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

Marinkovic is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Paul is defending well though. Marinkovic let's go of the attempt for now.
Marinkovic slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul is trying to break free.
Mihajlo Marinkovic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Marinkovic trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Paul doesn't escape.
Paul is in bad spot here.

Marinkovic looking for the choke from the back.
Paul is trying to get back to his feet but Marinkovic has full control of the position and if anything, Paul has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Marinkovic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paul can do to turn this around?
Marinkovic keeps control of the position easily here as Paul tries to buck him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marinkovic is landing with strikes from the back.
Paul is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Marinkovic.
Paul trying to control the position but Marinkovic manages to sink in the hooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marinkovic is punishing Paul with strikes - can he finish him?!
Paul grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Marinkovic controlling well, preventing Paul from escaping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mihajlo Marinkovic showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Marinkovic has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mihajlo Marinkovic!
After winning the bout, Mihajlo Marinkovic thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.