PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksei Markov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artur Nowak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Aleksei Markov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Markov
vs
Nowak

184 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksei Markov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artur Nowak!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nowak shoots in but no luck this time.
The fight stays on the outside here - Markov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Markov wants to clinch.
Nowak shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Markov pinned against the cage. Markov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nowak throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nowak tries to clinch up.
Nowak fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Markov tries to clinch but Nowak moves out of range.
Markov throws a body kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov tries for a takedown but Nowak sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Markov tries to clinch but Nowak is having none of it.
Nowak tries a head kick but it misses.
Nowak misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Markov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Markov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Markov.
Markov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The referee is keeping an eye on Markov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Markov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Stalling in the clinch from Nowak.
Markov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nowak is keeping busy.
Nowak tries to circle away but Markov has him pinned against the cage.
Markov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's two 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.
Nowak wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Markov has him pressed against the cage.
Markov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nowak taking a breather.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Markov prevents Nowak from breaking the clinch.
Nowak tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Aleksei Markov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artur Nowak.
Nowak is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Markov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nowak displaying some good clinch control by pressing Markov up against the cage.
Nowak is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Markov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nowak blocks it with crossed arms.
Markov is breathing heavily.
Markov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nowak just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nowak tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nowak wants a takedown.
Nowak is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Markov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nowak fails to pull guard.
Markov taking a breather.
Nowak is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Markov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Markov jumps guard but Nowak stands there with Markov around his waist. Markov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nowak is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nowak fails to pull guard.
Markov is trying to stall.
Nowak avoiding damage as Markov throws knees to the body.
Markov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nowak smiles and moves away.
Markov is looking to clinch.
Markov is looking to clinch but Nowak is avoiding it.
Nowak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nowak throws a lazy body kick

and Markov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

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.
Nowak is trying to break the clinch but Markov has him pressed against the cage.
Nowak tries to pull guard but Markov holds him up against the cage and eventually Nowak drops back down to his feet.
Nowak jumps guard but Markov stands there with Nowak around his waist. Nowak gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Markov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nowak fails to pull guard.
Nowak jumps guard but Markov stands there with Nowak around his waist. Nowak gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Markov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Markov wants to get back to striking at distance but Nowak won't allow it.
Nowak misses with a body punch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Markov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Nowak wants the takedown. Markov is fighting it off but Nowak persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Markov's guard against the cage.
Nowak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nowak controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aleksei Markov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nowak throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Markov was covering up waiting for the punch and Nowak finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nowak is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Markov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nowak decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Markov, up you get!
Nowak closes the distance and clinches up with Markov, looking for a takedown. Nowak pushes Markov against the cage but Markov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Nowak shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Nowak takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Nowak.
Nowak controlling his opponent.
Markov is bucking up trying to escape but Nowak cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowak punching from mount but Markov doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Nowak working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Nowak tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Markov is bucking up trying to escape but Nowak cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Nowak controlling the position easily from mount.
Markov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nowak on the ground.
Nowak's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markov is trying to stand up.
The referee warns Markov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Nowak has control of Markov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Markov regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Nowak content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artur Nowak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nowak has Markov up against the cage in a clinch.
Nowak has Markov pushed against the cage.
Markov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nowak is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nowak wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nowak jumps guard but Markov stands there with Nowak around his waist. Nowak gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nowak throws an elbow but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Markov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
With the fighters up against the cage, Markov throws an elbow but misses.
Markov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nowak is pressed up against the cage. Markov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nowak down to the mat. Nowak avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nowak tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Markov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov tries to clinch up.
Nowak tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nowak misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markov.

Nowak shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nowak performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Nowak uses his free foot to push down on Markov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Markov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markov is in a horrible position here. Nowak smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nowak controlling from mount.
Nowak lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The referee warns Markov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowak scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Nowak looking to isolate an arm here. Markov doesn't see it coming and as Nowak extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Nowak!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Artur Nowak!