PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Uwai Na Bewun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Don Markstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Don Markstein told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Na Bewun
vs
Markstein

178 cm
19
154 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Uwai Na Bewun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Don Markstein!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markstein swings for the body but Na Bewun moves out of range.

Na Bewun fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Markstein sprawls well initially but Na Bewun persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Na Bewun keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Markstein is trying to stand back up but Na Bewun is controlling him
Markstein keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Markstein on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Na Bewun lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markstein avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Na Bewun.
Na Bewun with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Na Bewun not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markstein blocking the ground and pound attempt from Na Bewun.
Na Bewun missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Na Bewun missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Markstein on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Na Bewun drops an elbow to the side of Markstein's head.
Na Bewun trying to mount his opponent but Markstein defends it.
Markstein keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Markstein can do anything to dispel that myth.
Markstein is staying active underneath Na Bewun, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Markstein blocking the ground and pound attempt from Na Bewun.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Markstein is trying to stand back up but Na Bewun is controlling him
Na Bewun missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Na Bewun missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Markstein connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Na Bewun momentarily.
Markstein takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Na Bewun gets the takedown into side control.
Na Bewun sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Markstein is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Na Bewun misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Markstein parries the strikes from Na Bewun easily there. Na Bewun is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Markstein to escape.
Na Bewun trying to control the position but Markstein is working away.
Na Bewun lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Na Bewun working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Na Bewun has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Markstein!
Markstein holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Na Bewun tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Na Bewun tries to control but Markstein wriggling away.
Na Bewun throws some wild stikes that Markstein manages to avoid easily.
Na Bewun throws some wild stikes that Markstein manages to avoid easily.
Na Bewun unloads with some shots from mount but Markstein bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Na Bewun controlling the position easily from mount.
Markstein wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Na Bewun.
Na Bewun thowing shots but they're missing.
Na Bewun sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Na Bewun tries to control but Markstein wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Uwai Na Bewun dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Markstein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Na Bewun was well out of range. Poor timing from Markstein.

Na Bewun clinches up against the cage.
Markstein wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Markstein tries to break the clinch but Na Bewun is controlling the position.
Na Bewun tries to work over Markstein's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Markstein is trying to break the clinch but Na Bewun has him pressed against the cage.
Markstein prevents a body shot from Na Bewun.

Na Bewun jumps into guard, dragging Markstein to the mat.

Na Bewun has his foot on Markstein's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Markstein works his way back into a safe position though.
Na Bewun looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Na Bewun had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Markstein defends it easily.

Na Bewun looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Na Bewun is trying to keep Markstein in close.
Markstein must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Markstein wants to stand but Na Bewun has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Na Bewun is on top in guard.
Markstein really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Na Bewun. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Na Bewun looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Na Bewun trying to control but Markstein is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Na Bewun thows a big elbow that misses.
Na Bewun in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Na Bewun's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Markstein utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Na Bewun trying to control the position from guard on top but Markstein is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Na Bewun 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Na Bewun sizes up Markstein with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Na Bewun fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Markstein avoids it really well and circles away.
Na Bewun misses the body punch
and Markstein counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fighters circle momentarily. Markstein darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Na Bewun shoots in for a takedown but Markstein shows good takedown defense.
Na Bewun darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Na Bewun misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markstein.
Na Bewun doesn't manage to clinch there - Markstein circles away.
Markstein keeps the fight on the outside.
A big left from Markstein misses.
Markstein lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Markstein thows a body shot but no joy.
Markstein moves away from the strike by Na Bewun.
Na Bewun throws a one two combo.
Don Markstein is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Markstein misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markstein moves out of range of the strikes.
Markstein circles away from the clinch attempt.

Na Bewun closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Na Bewun lands in his opponent's guard.
Markstein wants to hit a switch here but Na Bewun passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Markstein there!
Na Bewun throwing strikes here but Markstein is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Markstein can't escape the position.
Markstein tries to lock up and control but Na Bewun gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Uwai Na Bewun dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Na Bewun feints and as Markstein raises his hands in defense, Na Bewun changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Markstein keeping full guard, as Na Bewun tries to pass.
Markstein utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Na Bewun passes into half guard.
Markstein looks like he's trying to stand up.
Markstein blocking the ground and pound attempt from Na Bewun.
Markstein is not content to let Na Bewun control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Na Bewun trying to mount his opponent but Markstein defends it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Markstein misses with the combination.
Na Bewun throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Markstein misses.
Na Bewun shoots in and drives through. Markstein sprawls well.
Markstein pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Markstein lands a nice hook to Na Bewun's body. Na Bewun takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Na Bewun tries to close the distance and clinch up but Markstein swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A swing and a miss from Na Bewun.

Na Bewun clinches up with Markstein and pushes him back against the cage.

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.
Markstein has had enough of the clinch but Na Bewun keeps him there for the moment.
Na Bewun tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Markstein's elbow.
Markstein wants to get back to striking at distance but Na Bewun won't allow it.
Na Bewun misses with some punches.
Na Bewun working aggressively here.
Na Bewun tries to work over Markstein's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Na Bewun has a couple of punches blocked by Markstein.
Na Bewun swings wildly with an uppercut but Markstein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Markstein wants to break the clinch but can't.
Na Bewun tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Markstein's elbow.
Na Bewun lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Na Bewun tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Markstein smiles and moves away.

Na Bewun 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markstein utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Na Bewun throwing strikes from guard but Markstein blocks nicely.
Na Bewun passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Markstein wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Uwai Na Bewun is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Na Bewun happy to just control the position for now.
Na Bewun seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Markstein for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Na Bewun tries to advance to mount but can't.
Na Bewun staying calm.

And that's the end of the fight!
Uwai Na Bewun showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Na Bewun, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Uwai Na Bewun!