PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jiga Ji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksey Markov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ji
vs
Markov

179 cm
26
212 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
212 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jiga Ji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksey Markov!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Patrick Alders and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

It looks like Jiga Ji has been cut.
Ji ducks under a wild hook from Markov.
Ji displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Markov throws out the jab.
Markov cracks a nice hook into Ji's ribs.
Markov throws a series of punches but Ji moves out of range.

Markov drops Ji with a left right combo! Markov follows him down to the ground into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Markov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Ji lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A slapping leg kick lands for Markov.
Ji is breathing heavily.
Ji uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Markov.
A good leg kick by Markov.
Markov throws an overhand right that lands on Ji's shoulder, as Ji tries to avoid the shot.
Markov misses with a series of wild punches.
Markov misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ji ducks straight into an uppercut from Markov and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Ji manages to regain guard straight away.

Ji is rocked!

Jiga Ji's cut is getting worse.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Markov slips nicely into half guard.

Markov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Markov seems to be looking for submissions.
Ji wants to get back to full guard.
Markov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ji wants to get back to full guard but Markov has mounted him!

Markov gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Markov pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ji shoots in for a takedown but Markov shows good takedown defense.
Markov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Markov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ji throws a right and a left that Markov avoids nicely.
Aleksey Markov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ji misses with a straight right.
Markov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ji's sensitive parts.
A looping hook to the body misses from Markov. Ji does a little dance to reset his feet.

Ji gets a double leg takedown into Markov's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Markov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Markov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Markov stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Markov tries to avoid it but Ji manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Markov to the ground. Markov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ji shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jiga Ji. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Markov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ji swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Markov throws a big shot that misses.
Markov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A solid leg kick lands there for Markov.
A jab from Markov misses.
Markov stalks Ji and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ji's face. Ji staggers backwards, shaken.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markov with a jab.
Markov lands an uppercut out of nowhere! Ji falls backwards - clearly groggy! Markov dives in and finishes the fight with more strikes for a TKO finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Aleksey Markov!
Our winner, Aleksey Markov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.