PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Markov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roger huerta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Markov
vs
huerta

190 cm
20
179 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
172 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Markov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roger huerta!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksandr Martynov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Markov.
huerta looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Markov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
huerta lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Markov circles away quickly and effectively.
huerta circles away from the clinch attempt.
Markov tries to close the distance and clinch but huerta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice takedown defense from huerta. No joy for Markov on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Markov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Markov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but huerta paws at him with a jab and circles away.
huerta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
huerta lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Markov circles away quickly and effectively.
Markov fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markov scores with a one two! huerta had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Markov tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has huerta pinned against the cage. huerta gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice defenses there by Markov.
Markov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as huerta sprawls well. huerta wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Markov gets slowly back to his feet.

Markov takes the fight into the clinch.
Markov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Markov jumps guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Markov holds on and takes a little breather.
huerta trying to control but Markov is working from the bottom.
Markov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
huerta wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Markov.
Markov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Markov throws some wild stikes that huerta manages to avoid easily.
huerta is trying to reverse the position but instead Markov has taken his back - oops!
Markov trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure huerta doesn't escape.
huerta is trying to stand back up.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Markov controlling the positon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markov misses with an elbow to the head.

Markov is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but huerta has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Markov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Markov missing with strikes.
Markov controlling the position well here. huerta rolled but Markov kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Markov wants to control but huerta is keeping busy.
huerta is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

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.
Markov throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Markov is looking to control huerta but huerta is wriggling around and keeping busy.
huerta is really stuck here.
Markov throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
huerta is really stuck here.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Markov's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Markov connects with a big shot to the side of huerta's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Markov missing with punches from the back.

Markov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Markov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

huerta throws a left and a right that both miss

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

Markov jumps guard.
Markov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Markov is landing with some decent strikes but huerta is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
huerta working to try and regain half guard.
huerta is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
huerta tries to improve his position but instead Markov has taken his back!
huerta is in bad spot here.
Markov is looking to control huerta but huerta is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov punches the canvas rather than the man.
Markov biding his time, controlling huerta.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Markov's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Markov controls the position.
Markov missing with punches from the back.
huerta is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Ivan Markov just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Markov lands a head kick. huerta smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
huerta looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Markov tries to clinch but huerta is having none of it.
Ivan Markov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Markov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but huerta avoids it really well and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Markov is defended easily by huerta.
A solid body kick from Markov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
huerta falls off balance throwing a combination
and Markov counters with a three punch combo that has huerta backing up. huerta nods at Markov to acknowledge the strikes.
Markov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says huerta as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Markov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
huerta throws a left and a right that both miss

and Markov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Markov.
huerta looking for a takedown.
huerta drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Markov goes for a takedown in the clinch but huerta prevents it.
Markov prevents the takedown attempt.
Markov has huerta pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. huerta manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Markov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
huerta misses with a double jab

and Markov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
huerta throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Markov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Markov.
huerta has Markov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Markov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

huerta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Markov shoots for a double leg takedown but huerta sprawls well. He's pushed Markov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Some wild striking there from huerta.
Markov doesn't manage to clinch there - huerta circles away.
Horrible takedown by Markov or perhaps it was just good defense by huerta which made him look bad.
Markov shoots in for a double leg but huerta sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Markov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but huerta avoids it really well and circles away.
Markov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Markov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

huerta feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Markov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. huerta manages to get himself to full guard.
Markov trying to control the position from guard on top but huerta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markov throwing strikes but missing.

Markov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Markov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but huerta paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Markov blocks a head kick by huerta.
Markov tries for a takedown but huerta circles away easily
and huerta counters with a one-two to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Markov lands a nice looking kick to the body. huerta takes a step back to recover.
huerta swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Markov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
huerta throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Markov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
huerta throws a series of punches but Markov moves out of range.
Markov shoots in looking for a takedown. huerta tries to sprawl out of it but Markov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. huerta manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Markov slips a jab and a cross from huerta.
huerta looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
huerta defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Markov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Markov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.
huerta scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Markov misses with a wild combination.
huerta throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Markov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Markov tries for a takedown but huerta manages to get underhooks.
Markov jumps guard but huerta stands there with Markov around his waist. Markov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
huerta has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Markov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Markov stops a takedown attempt from huerta.
Markov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
huerta tries to score a body lock takedown but Markov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
huerta can't get the takedown.
huerta looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A frustrated look appears on Markov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

huerta breaks from the clinch.
Markov slips under a jab from huerta.
Markov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? huerta is fending him off so far but Markov persists. Nope, huerta circles away and we're back to standing.
huerta looks to throw the jab but Markov is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
huerta stuffs the takedown attempt from Markov. Markov gets slowly back to his feet.
huerta misses with a series of wild punches.
Markov lands with a straight right. huerta didn't see that one coming.
Markov closes this distance looking for a takedown but huerta circles away.
huerta chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Markov can pounce on him.
Markov tries for a takedown but huerta sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Markov moves in looking to clinch but huerta pushes him off.
huerta throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Markov counters with a nice kick to the body.
Markov shoots in but no luck this time.
huerta closes the distance and clinches up with Markov, looking for a takedown. huerta pushes Markov against the cage but Markov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

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.
huerta swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Markov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
huerta throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Markov counters with a two punch combo.
Markov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from huerta.
huerta rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Markov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
huerta throws a nice looking combination but Markov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
huerta throws a head kick but Markov moves out of range.
huerta throws a left and a right that both miss
and Markov makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. huerta really felt that one!
Markov looks to land a combination. huerta sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
huerta throws a head kick but Markov moves out of range.
Markov tries to clinch there but huerta circles away.
Roger huerta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Markov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
huerta slaps away a takedown attempt from Markov, before circling back to the center of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Roger huerta.
Well Markov 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Markov!