PBP Commentary

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

Markov
vs
Gabilog

190 cm
22
179 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
170 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Markov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Syete Gabilog!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gabilog shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gabilog showed some decent athleticism there.
Gabilog is looking to advance position but Markov won't allow it.
Markov has a hand on Gabilog's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Gabilog takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Markov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Markov is working hard here to advance position.
Gabilog looking to control but Markov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Markov tries to reverse the position but Gabilog maintains control.
Gabilog landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gabilog landing strikes from the mount.
Markov is trying desperately to improve position.
Gabilog lands a big shot there that rocks Markov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabilog with good strikes from the mount here!
Gabilog lands a big shot there that rocks Markov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Markov tries to hold on but Gabilog postures up.
Markov working to try and regain half guard.
Gabilog working the ground and pound effectively.
A nice elbow there by Gabilog.
Markov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Gabilog working Markov over with strikes here.
Markov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Markov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markov is refusing to be controlled, as Gabilog sits in half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gabilog tries to pass the half guard into mount. Markov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Markov trying to control but Gabilog postures up.
Gabilog prevents Markov from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markov has hold of Gabilog's hands but Gabilog slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gabilog frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabilog dominating with strikes here.
Gabilog wants to control the pace but Markov is squirming around nicely.
Markov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gabilog lands a big elbow.
Markov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gabilog lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Markov is breathing heavily.

Gabilog working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Gabilog controlling from mount.
Gabilog lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabilog fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
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!
Markov is trying to escape the mount.
Markov taking shots to the head.
Gabilog working the ground and pound effectively.
Gabilog postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Markov looks a forlorn figure.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gabilog is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Markov can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Markov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Gabilog lands with some strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Syete Gabilog dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Markov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gabilog, pushing him back against the cage.
Gabilog tries for a takedown but Markov manages to get underhooks.
Gabilog is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Markov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gabilog tries to pull guard but Markov holds him up against the cage and eventually Gabilog drops back down to his feet.
Ivan Markov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Syete Gabilog.
Gabilog wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gabilog drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Markov manages to break the clinch.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Gabilog crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Markov - the referee stops the clock and Gabilog gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Markov. Gabilog manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Markov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Gabilog counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Markov!
Gabilog is breathing heavily.
Markov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gabilog trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Syete Gabilog has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov can't escape the position.
A nice elbow there by Gabilog.
Gabilog scoring with strikes but Markov is staying in there.
Gabilog lands a big elbow.
Markov taking shots to the head.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gabilog cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Markov is working to get back to half guard.
Gabilog working Markov over with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Gabilog wants to pass to mount but Markov is defending the position.
Gabilog has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Markov is trying to control but Gabilog passes into side control!
Markov is looking for a sweep.
Gabilog wants to lay and pray for a moment but Markov keeps working.
Markov taking a bit of punishment here - Gabilog scoring with strikes.
Gabilog working the head with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gabilog tries to advance to mount but Markov denies him.
Gabilog lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markov is looking to regain half guard here but Gabilog keeps moving and retains side control.
Gabilog tries to advance to mount but can't.
Gabilog lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
You can see the frustration on Markov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gabilog trying to control the position but Markov is working away.
Gabilog cracks Markov with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Gabilog lands a few punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabilog grinds an elbow into Markov's temple.
Markov trying to control but Gabilog flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Gabilog is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Gabilog gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Gabilog gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Gabilog apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Markov throws a solid leg kick but Gabilog takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Markov.
Markov fails to land with a series of punches.
Markov tries for a takedown but Gabilog circles away easily

so Gabilog counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gabilog trying to control but Markov is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gabilog scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gabilog wants to pass the guard but Markov is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Syete Gabilog showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Gabilog scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Gabilog seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Markov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gabilog looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gabilog works his way into full mount!
Gabilog in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Gabilog moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Markov has worked his arm free - good work by Markov!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gabilog tries to score with some ground and pound. Markov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov can't do much from the bottom here.
Gabilog creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Markov sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gabilog wants to take a breather but Markov manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Gabilog.
Markov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gabilog trying to control but Markov is working from the bottom.
Gabilog postures up.
Gabilog pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Markov is keeping the position for now.

Markov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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.
Markov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gabilog is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gabilog tries to hold on but Markov postures up.
Gabilog is trying to reverse the position but instead Markov has taken his back - oops!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabilog staying busy and making it hard for Markov to control.

Gabilog defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Markov's arms.
Markov is throwing strikes by Gabilog counters by rolling into a better position. After a scramble, Gabilog regains half guard.

That's four 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.
Gabilog moves into full guard.
Markov wanted to stand there but Gabilog had control of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Syete Gabilog really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gabilog.
Gabilog wants to lay and pray for a moment but Markov keeps working.
Gabilog creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Gabilog trying to control the action but Markov is working from the bottom.
Markov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gabilog's best efforts.
Markov trying to control from the bottom.
Markov punching from the bottom.
Markov trying to control from the bottom.
Gabilog is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabilog working over Markov with some ground and pound. Markov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Gabilog throwing shots but Markov is blocking nicely.
Markov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Gabilog seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Markov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Markov won't allow Gabilog to pass to mount.
Markov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gabilog is working away from the top position though.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Markov is trying to get back to full guard.

Gabilog is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Markov defends it well.

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.
Markov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gabilog.
Markov trying to control here.
Gabilog scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Gabilog throwing shots but Markov is blocking nicely.
Gabilog passes the guard and advances to mount!
Markov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gabilog working the ground and pound effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markov is squirming around, avoiding Gabilog's attempts to control the action.
Gabilog working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Markov sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Markov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gabilog is working away from the top position though.
Gabilog trying to mount his opponent but Markov defends it.
Gabilog thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Markov's head.

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.
Gabilog is trying to control the action in half guard but Markov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gabilog slips a nice elbow through Markov's hands, connecting with Markov's forehead.

Markov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gabilog pulls his head out easily.
Gabilog has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gabilog dominating with strikes here.
Gabilog lands a nice shot to the head.

Gabilog looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Markov is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Syete Gabilog dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gabilog has his takedown stuffed

and Markov counters by clinching up.

Markov manages to pull guard.
Gabilog distracts Markov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gabilog is working Markov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Gabilog stands and steps away. Markov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Markov throws a shot from downtown. Gabilog moves away and avoids it.
Gabilog takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Markov throws a series of punches but Gabilog moves out of range.
Gabilog takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Markov is looking to slow Gabilog down with leg kicks.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabilog tries for a takedown but Markov circles away easily

and Markov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gabilog tries to kick Markov off but Markov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Markov trying to control the action but Gabilog is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Gabilog is trying to maintain the position but Markov is very close to passing his half guard.
Markov has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Gabilog works to full guard.
Markov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabilog wants to get back to his feet but Markov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Markov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gabilog swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Markov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gabilog is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ivan Markov just wasn't active enough.

Gabilog closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gabilog lands in his opponent's guard.
Syete Gabilog is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markov looking to control.
Markov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gabilog manages to get himself to full guard.
Markov looking to sit in guard and control but Gabilog gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Gabilog cracks Markov with a solid left hand.
Ivan Markov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gabilog is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Markov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gabilog has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 45:49
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 45:49
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Syete Gabilog!
Syete Gabilog is the new welterweight champion!