PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bepo Kroner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Markus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Markus's choice of entrance music: Faith No More - Be Aggressive. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Kroner
vs
Markus

185 cm
25
173 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

178 cm
24
178 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Cobra Kai Nutrition (St. Pete's Best)

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bepo Kroner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mark Markus!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Bruno Hogan and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Markus. No joy for Kroner on that attempt.
Markus has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Markus there as he acknowledges the shot.
Markus tries to clinch but Kroner moves out of range.
Markus slaps away a takedown attempt from Kroner, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Markus shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Markus was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Markus misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Kroner tries to hold on but Markus pushes him away.
Markus looking to finish Kroner with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kroner!
Kroner is looking to get to half guard.
Markus with a couple of short strikes.
Markus sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Kroner wants to control but Markus is having none of it.
Kroner is trying to stand up.
Markus scoring with strikes but Kroner is staying in there.

Kroner defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Markus.
Markus with the ground and pound from mount.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kroner wants to control but Markus is having none of it.
Kroner is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kroner is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Markus throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Markus fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Markus lands a big shot there that rocks Kroner but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kroner keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Markus breaks from Kroner's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Markus thowing shots but they're missing.
Kroner is trying desperately to improve position.

Markus working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markus unloads with some shots from mount but Kroner bucks and avoids them well.
Poor strikes thrown by Markus there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Kroner tries to hold on but Markus postures up.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kroner wants to get back to his feet.
Kroner holds of for dear life.
Kroner is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Markus looking for a guillotine from mount but Kroner is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markus scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Poor strikes thrown by Markus there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Kroner holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Markus tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Markus working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Markus looks gassed!
Kroner is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kroner tries to hold on but Markus postures up.
Markus in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Markus throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Kroner wants to control but Markus is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Kroner is trying to escape the mount.

Markus is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kroner is surviving well by controlling Markus's body position as best he can.
Kroner wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Kroner holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Markus tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Kroner tries to lock up and control but Markus gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Markus with good strikes from the mount here!
Kroner is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Markus throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kroner because Markus loaded up on that one.
Kroner is trying desperately to improve position.
Kroner is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Markus dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Markus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kroner as he avoids it easily.
Kroner shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Markus counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kroner's guard now.
Kroner trying to keep a closed guard but Markus is proving a slippery customer.
Markus trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kroner uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Kroner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Markus counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kroner won't be happy with that.
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!
Kroner is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Markus is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kroner has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kroner stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kroner tries to escape but Markus is in control.
Check out the look on Markus's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kroner is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Markus off and has taken his back!

Kroner is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Markus turns into Kroner and is now in his guard.

Markus drops back looking for a leg! Kroner is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kroner manages to kick Markus off! Markus jumps back into Kroner's guard.
Markus has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Markus throws a big right hand that misses.
Markus passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kroner wants to control but Markus postures up.
Kroner manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kroner moves nicely into side control.
Kroner tries to move into full mount but can't pass Markus's legs.
Kroner wants to control but Markus is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markus stops Kroner from passing to mount.
Markus is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kroner's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kroner is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Markus sees it coming and defends easily.
Kroner seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Markus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kroner wants to free his trapped foot but Markus is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Markus manages to get to full guard.
Markus throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Kroner stopping the sweep attempt from Markus.
Kroner is looking to stand up but Markus won't let him.

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.

Markus is looking for a triangle but Kroner pushes his legs off easily.
Kroner trying to control but Markus is working from the bottom.
Kroner stopping the sweep attempt from Markus.

Markus throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mark Markus has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kroner trying to control the position from guard on top but Markus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Markus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Markus throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kroner's waist but Kroner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Markus off to one side.

Markus gets a takedown into half guard.

Markus looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kroner is pressing down on Markus's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kroner trying to keep a closed guard but Markus is proving a slippery customer.
Kroner wants to sweep here but Markus controlling him for the moment.
Markus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Markus won't allow Kroner to get back to his feet.

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

Markus escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kroner gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kroner tries to stand but Markus is controlling from the bottom.
Kroner stands and throws Markus's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kroner is trying to move to mount but Markus reverses beautifully and ends up in Kroner's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kroner trying to control the position here.
Markus in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Markus postures up and lands a big shot to Kroner's brow.
Markus trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kroner seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kroner is looking to stand up but Markus isn't so interested in that idea.
Markus cracks Kroner with a solid left hand.
Mark Markus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Markus cracks Kroner with a solid left hand.
Kroner wants to stand up but Markus is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markus looking to pass the guard.
Kroner controls Markus momentarily but Markus frees himself.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
No joy there for Kroner, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Markus gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kroner wants to break free but Markus has control.

Markus breaks from the clinch.
Markus lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kroner tries for a takedown but Markus circles away easily

and Markus counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Markus with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kroner tries to kick Markus off but Markus keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Markus is trying to work for a kimura but Kroner is defending well.
Kroner tries to roll over but Markus keeps him under control.
Kroner trying to control from the bottom.
Bepo Kroner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Markus seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Markus working over Kroner with some ground and pound. Kroner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kroner misses with a wild combination.
Kroner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Markus counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Markus.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kroner is trying to control the position but Markus postures up.
Markus is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Markus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Markus winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Markus!