PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Markos Hadjilis (ranked 3016 p4p, 1144 weight class) and Jean Cristopher La Vellei (ranked 412 p4p, 165 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Hadjilis
vs
La Vellei

183 cm
25
185
6 - 6 - 1

196 cm
37
185
21 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Good kicks
Powerful

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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 6 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Markos Hadjilis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jean Cristopher La Vellei!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
La Vellei slips a jab from Hadjilis.
La Vellei lands with a hook. Hadjilis tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hadjilis moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
La Vellei scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
La Vellei shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hadjilis sprawls well. Hadjilis wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. La Vellei gets slowly back to his feet.
We've been hearing reports that Hadjilis has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
La Vellei shoots for a takedown but Hadjilis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hadjilis is looking to counter punch.
La Vellei loads up on a big right hand but Hadjilis slips the punch.

La Vellei fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hadjilis sprawls well initially but La Vellei persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hadjilis wants to control but La Vellei is keeping busy.
La Vellei missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
La Vellei stalling away here and it's allowed Hadjilis to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
La Vellei is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
La Vellei looking to pass the guard.
La Vellei trying to control the position from guard on top but Hadjilis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
La Vellei trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Hadjilis has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but La Vellei can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
La Vellei is fighting to break Hadjilis's control of his arms but Hadjilis is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
La Vellei looking to pass the guard.
Hadjilis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
La Vellei throwing strikes from guard but Hadjilis blocks nicely.
La Vellei works over Hadjilis with some ground and pound from guard.
Hadjilis keeping full guard, as La Vellei tries to pass.
Hadjilis wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hadjilis pulls La Vellei in close to his closed guard and prevents La Vellei from doing any damage or advancing position.

Hadjilis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. La Vellei doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. La Vellei manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
La Vellei scoring with some ground and pound.
La Vellei with a flurry of punches that miss.

Hadjilis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
La Vellei trying to control but Hadjilis is working from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hadjilis working for a triangle but La Vellei defends it easily.
La Vellei trying to control but Hadjilis is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
La Vellei tries to free his leg and advance position but Hadjilis is retaining full guard.
La Vellei chips away with some ground and pound.

La Vellei drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hadjilis looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hadjilis looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hadjilis!

Hadjilis trying to control the position but La Vellei is working away.
You can see the frustration on La Vellei's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
La Vellei is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Hadjilis is staying active.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
La Vellei tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
La Vellei is looking to get to half guard.
La Vellei is still trying to improve position.
Hadjilis tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hadjilis wants to get back to his feet but La Vellei is holding on tight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hadjilis manages to capitalize on a mistake by La Vellei to take his back!
La Vellei prevents Hadjilis from getting a body triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Markos Hadjilis will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hadjilis just misses with a punch to the body.
As Hadjilis backs off La Vellei throws a huge counter combo but Hadjilis manages to avoid it all.
Hadjilis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
La Vellei fails with the takedown
and Hadjilis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
La Vellei tries to bum rush Hadjilis with a series of wild strikes but Hadjilis uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
La Vellei connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hadjilis misses with an uppercut
and La Vellei counters with a nice uppercut.
La Vellei wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Jean Cristopher La Vellei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hadjilis jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

La Vellei drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hadjilis is trying to improve his position.
Hadjilis can't do much from the bottom here.

La Vellei wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hadjilis, who protects the arm well.
Hadjilis wants to control but La Vellei postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hadjilis is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because La Vellei is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Hadjilis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
La Vellei wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hadjilis keeps working.
Who's going to make the next move?

La Vellei goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hadjilis has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for La Vellei but great work by Hadjilis.
Hadjilis is looking to take a break and control but La Vellei is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
La Vellei can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hadjilis tries to stand but La Vellei is controlling his head.
La Vellei tries to bench press Hadjilis off him but Hadjilis keeps the position.
La Vellei manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hadjilis's best efforts.
La Vellei tries to roll over but Hadjilis keeps him under control.
La Vellei wants to control but Hadjilis is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hadjilis wants to stand up but La Vellei has a hold of him and won't allow it.
La Vellei is looking to improve his position.
Markos Hadjilis overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hadjilis slows the pace down in half guard.
Hadjilis wants to take a breather but La Vellei is having none of it.
La Vellei is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
La Vellei looks like he's trying to stand up.
La Vellei wants to get back to full guard.

La Vellei is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hadjilis pulls his head out easily.
La Vellei wants to control but Hadjilis is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four 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.
Hadjilis throws a big shot that misses.
Hadjilis feints and then cracks La Vellei's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow La Vellei down.
La Vellei with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hadjilis to score with a decent uppercut.
A swing and a miss from Hadjilis.
La Vellei takes one to the chin there.
Hadjilis misses with a hook
and La Vellei counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
La Vellei tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hadjilis defends well and La Vellei ends up having to push Hadjilis into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hadjilis throws a body punch but La Vellei moves out of range.
Hadjilis lands a nice looking body shot.
Hadjilis gets cracked there but stands up to it.
La Vellei thows a leg kick but Hadjilis checks it
and La Vellei takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Excellent takedown into side control there by La Vellei.
Hadjilis manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Hadjilis trying to hold on to La Vellei's head to control him but La Vellei postures up.
Hadjilis makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hadjilis.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Markos Hadjilis dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

La Vellei takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
La Vellei pulls out of a head kick attempt.
La Vellei takes a jab right on the kisser.
La Vellei scores with a hook.
La Vellei digs a good hook to Hadjilis's body.
Hadjilis thows a leg kick but La Vellei checks it
and La Vellei counters with a two punch combo.

It looks like Markos Hadjilis has been cut.
Hadjilis throws a big shot that misses.
La Vellei misses the body punch
and Hadjilis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hadjilis swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
La Vellei swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
La Vellei uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hadjilis.
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!
La Vellei ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
La Vellei misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hadjilis. That's going to slow La Vellei down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
La Vellei moves out of range of the body kick.
La Vellei is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hadjilis tries to score with a low kick but La Vellei moves his leg out of the way.

La Vellei bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
La Vellei working the ground and pound from side control.

La Vellei looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

La Vellei is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hadjilis knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

La Vellei goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hadjilis has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for La Vellei but great work by Hadjilis.

Hadjilis swings around for an armbar but La Vellei sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hadjilis's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hadjilis pulls La Vellei in close to prevent any damage.
La Vellei looking to pass the guard.
Jean Cristopher La Vellei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
La Vellei trying to control the position from guard on top but Hadjilis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hadjilis is pulling down on La Vellei's head. It's preventing any offense from La Vellei, at least for the moment.
Hadjilis looking to control.

La Vellei avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hadjilis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hadjilis working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hadjilis seems keen to control La Vellei's posture.
La Vellei postures up.
La Vellei landing some decent shots from guard.
La Vellei is looking to work some ground and pound but Hadjilis has wrist control.
Hadjilis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hadjilis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
La Vellei must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
La Vellei scoring with some ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hadjilis is on top in guard.

Hadjilis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. La Vellei swivels though and keeps the full guard.
La Vellei wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

La Vellei is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hadjilis is aware though and is defending well.
Markos Hadjilis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

La Vellei looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Hadjilis has picked La Vellei up and slammed him! La Vellei can't keep hold of the triangle and Hadjilis manages to pass to side control!
La Vellei is looking for a sweep.
La Vellei takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hadjilis is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt La Vellei will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Hadjilis is looking to take a break and control but La Vellei is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hadjilis remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Markos Hadjilis.
Well Hadjilis 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Markos Hadjilis!
A less than humble Markos Hadjilis misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.