PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksey Markov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Dover (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Dover is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Markov
vs
Dover

186 cm
20
212 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

225 cm
26
205 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksey Markov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Dover!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A solid leg kick lands there for Markov.
Dover throws a head kick but Markov moves out of range.
Markov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

It looks like Ben Dover has been cut.
Dover misses with a head kick.
A combination from Dover does no damage.
Dover throws a series of punches but Markov moves out of range.
Ben Dover seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Dover misses the target.
Dover darts in trying to clinch

and Markov counters with a shoot takedown. Dover fights it but they end up in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Markov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Markov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Markov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Dover keeping moving, preventing Markov from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov is looking to work some ground and pound but Dover has wrist control.
Markov works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Markov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dover doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Markov.
Markov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dover does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markov works his foot free and advances to mount.
Markov throws a sloppy strike and Dover uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Dover has ended up in Markov's guard.
Dover is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dover throws an elbow that misses. Markov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dover's guard. Nice move by Markov!
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 stopping the sweep attempt from Dover.
Dover is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Markov is controlling him.
Dover really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Markov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dover keeping moving, preventing Markov from controlling successfully.
Markov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dover is keeping the position for now.

Markov drops back looking for a leg! Dover is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dover manages to kick Markov off! Markov jumps back into Dover's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dover wants to sweep but no luck.
Dover working a defensive guard but Markov manages to pass into side control anyway.

Markov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Markov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Markov is trying to get an arm triangle but Dover is defending well.
Dover is trying to get back to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Markov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Markov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Dover, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksey Markov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ben Dover's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dover instigates a clinch.

Markov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Dover regains guard.
Markov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Markov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Markov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Markov drops back looking for a leg! Dover is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dover manages to kick Markov off! Markov jumps back into Dover's guard.
Markov wants to control from the top but Dover keeps moving.
Markov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Markov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Dover working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Markov.
Markov with a flurry of punches that miss.

Markov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Markov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Markov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markov trying to control but Dover is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Markov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dover swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dover is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dover is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ben Dover.
Dover's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Dover duly obliges.
Markov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dover as he avoids it easily.
Aleksey Markov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dover 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.
Markov keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dover stuffs the takedown.
Markov scores with a sloppy right hand. Dover should have avoided that one.
Dover throws a head kick but Markov moves out of range.
Markov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dover tries to clinch but fails miserably
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Dover throws a leg kick but Markov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Dover falls off balance throwing a combination
and Markov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dover tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Markov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Markov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Markov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Dover won't be happy with that.

Dover is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Markov is working to tighten is grip on Dover's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Dover has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Markov is really squeezing tight and eventually Dover passes out! Markov breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Aleksey Markov!
A less than humble Aleksey Markov misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.