PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Marko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miller HighLife (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marko comes to the cage accompanied by Unstoppable-E.S. Posthumus. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Marko
vs
HighLife

201 cm
28
287 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

195 cm
26
285 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $150

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cain Marko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Miller HighLife!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Summer Carpenter and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marko throws a hook to the side of HighLife's head but HighLife sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
HighLife connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
HighLife throws a hook but Marko avoids it easily.
HighLife misses with an uppercut
and Marko counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Miller HighLife has been cut.

HighLife shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Marko manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Marko seems keen to control HighLife's posture.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
HighLife wants to control from the top but Marko keeps moving.
HighLife preventing the sweep.
HighLife with a nice head shot there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as HighLife accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Marko can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as HighLife controls the pace.
Marko throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Marko looking for a sweep. Not yet Marko, not yet.
Marko is trying to control the position but HighLife postures up.
Marko managing to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Cain Marko just wasn't active enough.
HighLife misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Marko connects with a looping right hand.
Marko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as HighLife throws out the jab.
Marko misses with the combination.
Marko throws a combination that misses
and HighLife counters with a lovely shot to the body.
HighLife pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice cross by Marko.
HighLife lands a jab to Marko's midsection.
HighLife takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marko tries to clinch
and HighLife counters with a lovely shot to the body.
HighLife swats away the attempt to clinch by Marko.

HighLife shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. HighLife showed some decent athleticism there.
HighLife wants to take a breather but Marko is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marko tries to roll over but HighLife keeps him under control.
HighLife thows a huge punch but Marko dodges it nicely.
HighLife prevents Marko from improving his position.
HighLife throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Marko wants to sweep but HighLife has passed to side control!
Marko tries to buck HighLife off but HighLife is having none of it.
HighLife lands a nice forearm strike.

It looks like Cain Marko has been cut.
HighLife throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Marko works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Marko trying to control but HighLife postures up.
Marko is staying active underneath HighLife, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marko is looking for a sweep. HighLife is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
HighLife sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Marko defending well though.
HighLife lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Marko keeping control of the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
HighLife is looking to take a break and control but Marko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Marko wants to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from HighLife.
Marko is trying to maintain the position but HighLife is very close to passing his half guard.
Marko desperately trying to maintain half guard.
HighLife scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
HighLife seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
HighLife wants to control but Marko is keeping him busy.
HighLife thows a huge punch but Marko dodges it nicely.
HighLife thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
HighLife is stalling here. Marko is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! HighLife seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Marko has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
HighLife is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Marko is looking to take a break and control but HighLife is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
HighLife has one of Marko's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miller HighLife dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Marko misses with a straight right.
Marko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
HighLife is looking to slow Marko down with leg kicks.
Nice jab there from Marko.
Marko shoots in but no luck this time.
Marko fails in his attempt to clinch.
HighLife with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Marko to score with a decent uppercut.
Marko moves away from the strike by HighLife.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Marko is defended easily by HighLife.
Marko throws a lazy right hand but HighLife sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
HighLife shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Marko sprawls well. Marko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. HighLife gets slowly back to his feet.

HighLife tries to keep at a distance but Marko has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marko lands a hook that snaps the head of HighLife backwards.
Marko struggles to land a body shot inside as HighLife controls his hands.
Marko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but HighLife pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Marko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
HighLife lands with a short shot to the head.
HighLife goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Marko throws a punch but it's blocked by HighLife.
HighLife blocks a body shot from Marko.
Marko blocking some punches.
Marko misses with a short punch on the inside.
HighLife lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Marko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Marko misses with a hook from the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on HighLife - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
HighLife misses with a hook from the clinch.
HighLife leaning his opponent against the cage.
Marko prevents the takedown attempt.
HighLife blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Marko stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Marko fails to land.
Marko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. HighLife avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
HighLife fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
HighLife prevents a body shot from Marko.
Marko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Marko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
HighLife slaps away a takedown attempt from Marko, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marko throws a hook but HighLife blocks it.
HighLife slips under a jab.
Marko swings for the body but HighLife moves out of range.
Donk. HighLife catches Marko right on the button with a cross.
Marko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cain Marko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Marko drives through with a takedown into HighLife's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Marko preventing the sweep.
Marko throws a big elbow that misses.
Marko throws a strike but HighLife rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Marko controlling the position.
Marko working a defensive guard here.
Marko pulls HighLife in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
HighLife throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
HighLife connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells HighLife's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
HighLife tries to free his leg and advance position but Marko is retaining full guard.
Marko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
HighLife connects with a couple of short punches.
Marko is pulling down on HighLife's head. It's preventing any offense from HighLife, at least for the moment.
Marko manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Marko with good strikes from the mount here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Marko dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Some wild striking there from Marko.
HighLife doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
HighLife drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Marko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but HighLife manages to avoid it.
Marko looks to score with a jab to the body but HighLife is just out of range.
HighLife misses with a left hand
and Marko counters with a three punch combo that has HighLife backing up. HighLife nods at Marko to acknowledge the strikes.
HighLife pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Marko doesn't manage to clinch there - HighLife circles away.
Marko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from HighLife.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marko throws the left hand but HighLife avoids the punch easily.
Marko takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Marko takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cain Marko is winning the standup battle so far.
Marko tries to score a power double leg takedown but HighLife sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marko somewhat.
HighLife tries to move into range but Marko moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marko clobbers HighLife with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
HighLife works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Marko throws a big shot that misses.
HighLife misses with a looping right.
HighLife scores with a nice right hand.
HighLife defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Marko.
Marko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping HighLife at a distance.
Marko misses with a wild combination.

HighLife looking to score a takedown here. Marko is defending well but HighLife drives through and ends up in Marko's guard.
HighLife trying to control the position from guard on top but Marko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marko wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and HighLife is now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marko is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
HighLife wants to lay and pray for a moment but Marko keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
HighLife controlling the action here.
HighLife trying to control the action but Marko is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Marko taking some punishment here, with HighLife in his half guard.
HighLife working Marko over with strikes.

Cain Marko's cut is getting worse.
HighLife is trying to control. Marko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Marko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of HighLife's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take HighLife's back!
Marko throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Marko missing with strikes from the back.
HighLife just trying to survive but Marko is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Will Marko go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Marko not allowing HighLife to control his hands.
Marko keeps control of the position as HighLife tries to break free.
Marko wants to control but HighLife manages to buck him off and is now in Marko's guard! Nice work there by HighLife!
Marko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Marko wants to sweep here but HighLife controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marko looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Cain Marko just wasn't active enough.
Marko tries for a takedown but HighLife sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Marko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
HighLife wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
HighLife throws a hook to the side of Marko's head but Marko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Marko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
HighLife throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Marko moves away from the strike by HighLife.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Left hook, right uppercut from Marko.
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!
HighLife throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Marko slips under a jab.
Marko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but HighLife was well out of range. Poor timing from Marko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Cain Marko did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Marko shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
HighLife throws a body punch but Marko moves out of range.
A head kick misses from HighLife.
HighLife misses with an uppercut.
HighLife on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Marko just misses with a punch to the body.
HighLife slips a straight right by Marko.
Marko fails to land the takedown.
HighLife connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Marko misses with a few strikes there.
Marko scores with a hook.
Marko tries to clinch up but HighLife circles away and keeps his distance.
Marko takes a kick to the side of the head.
Marko closes this distance looking for a takedown but HighLife circles away.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
HighLife connects with a good right hand that stumbles Marko. Marko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
HighLife digs a good body shot into Marko's ribs.
Marko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from HighLife.
HighLife is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Marko.
HighLife is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Marko.
Marko with a jab.
HighLife uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nice takedown defense from Marko. No joy for HighLife on that attempt.
Marko on the wrong end of a nice jab.
HighLife throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Marko checks a leg kick.
Marko moves away from the strike by HighLife.
HighLife throws a low kick but Marko moves out of range easily.
HighLife lets loose with a powerful body kick. Marko will feel that in the morning.
Marko misses with a lunging right hand
and HighLife counters with a nice leg kick.
HighLife throws the left hand but Marko avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marko fails to land with a series of punches.
Marko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marko lands a jab.
HighLife lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
HighLife cracks Marko with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Marko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from HighLife.
A slow jab from HighLife misses its intended target.
HighLife lands a nice looking body shot.

Marko gets caught flat footed, as HighLife shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
HighLife slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
HighLife throws a big right hand that misses.
HighLife throwing strikes from guard but Marko blocks nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
HighLife won't allow Marko to get back to his feet.
HighLife trying to control but Marko is working from the bottom.
HighLife connects with a couple of short punches.
HighLife with a flurry of punches that miss.
HighLife throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Marko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
HighLife lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Marko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marko wants to sweep here but HighLife controlling him for the moment.
HighLife trying to control but Marko is working from the bottom.
HighLife cracks Marko with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
HighLife wants to control from the top but Marko keeps moving.
HighLife throws a big right hand that misses.
HighLife trying to control the position from guard on top but Marko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
HighLife working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
HighLife stopping the sweep attempt from Marko.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marko trying to keep a closed guard but HighLife is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
HighLife misses with an uppercut. Marko saw that one coming.
HighLife dodges the punch combination from Marko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miller HighLife dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

HighLife connects with a good right hand that stumbles Marko. Marko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Marko misses the jab.
Marko lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Marko fails with the takedown.
HighLife clobbers Marko with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
HighLife scores with a jab. Marko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
HighLife scores with a push kick.
HighLife misses with an uppercut. Marko saw that one coming.
Marko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts HighLife as he jumps to the side.
Marko tries to clinch but HighLife is having none of it.
HighLife stuffs the takedown attempt from Marko. Marko gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Marko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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.
Marko fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for HighLife. That snapped Marko's head back.
Marko misses the shot to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by HighLife as he connects with a hook.
HighLife misses with a straight left.
HighLife moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
HighLife ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
HighLife looks to throw the jab but Marko is out of range.
Marko slips a jab and a cross from HighLife.
HighLife throws a leg kick that misses.
Marko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
HighLife looks to throw the jab but Marko is out of range.
HighLife throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Marko walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A slow jab from Marko misses its intended target.
HighLife waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Marko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
HighLife takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Marko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
HighLife lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from HighLife - that will leave a mark!
HighLife misses with a looping left.
HighLife ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
HighLife scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Marko looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
HighLife scores with a jab.
HighLife lands a really nice looking cross but Marko seems unphased.
HighLife smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A telegraphed right hand from HighLife misses the target.
Good standup being displayed there by Marko as he connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from HighLife is defended easily by Marko.
Marko throws a big shot that misses.
Marko moves away from the strike by HighLife.
HighLife takes a swing at Marko's ribcage but misses.
Marko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Marko misses with a wild combination.
HighLife bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
HighLife fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Marko avoids it really well and circles away.
Marko throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Marko. Beautiful body shot.

HighLife gets a double leg takedown into Marko's guard.

Marko has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes HighLife off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Marko lands with a cross.
HighLife lands with an overhand left.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marko misses with a looping left.
HighLife bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
HighLife uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Marko.
Marko misses with a wild combination.
Marko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marko fails in his attempt to clinch.
HighLife fails to land the takedown.
Nice defenses there by HighLife.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miller HighLife comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think HighLife 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 47:48
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 46:49
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miller HighLife!
After winning the bout, Miller HighLife thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.