PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ioannis Markakis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Blood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Markakis
vs
Blood

180 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

188 cm
20
188 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ioannis Markakis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Richard Blood!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blood swats away the attempt to clinch by Markakis.
Markakis misses with a hook

so Blood counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Blood trying to control the position from guard on top but Markakis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markakis seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Blood wants to pass the guard but Markakis is keeping the position.
Blood controls from within his opponent's guard.
Blood would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Blood 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markakis keeping full guard, as Blood tries to pass.
Blood is stalling in the full guard.
Blood passes into half guard.
Blood controlling the action here.

Blood is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Markakis 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.
Markakis is doing well to control the position and prevent Blood from advancing to side control.
Markakis is trying to stand up here but Blood is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blood wants to free his trapped foot but Markakis is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Markakis is defending against the submission attempts here by Blood.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markakis is looking to improve his position.
Blood trying to mount his opponent but Markakis defends it.
Blood controlling the action here.

Blood is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Markakis sees it coming and defends easily.
Blood trying to control the action but Markakis is working from the bottom.

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.

Blood is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Markakis to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Markakis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Markakis closes the distance looking to clinch

so Blood counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Blood wants to control from the top but Markakis keeps moving.

Markakis working for a triangle but Blood defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Blood dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Markakis throws a body shot but no joy.
Markakis shoots for a double leg takedown but Blood sprawls well. He's pushed Markakis's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Blood circles away from the clinch attempt.
Blood is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Blood looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Markakis throws a head kick that misses

and Blood counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Blood not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Blood has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blood takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Richard Blood has got the better of the ground game so far.
Markakis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Markakis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blood is keen to just control but Markakis is a slippery customer.
Blood tries to pass the half guard into mount. Markakis knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blood throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Markakis to regain full guard.
Blood pushing down on Markakis's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Blood is keen to just control but Markakis is a slippery customer.
Blood keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Blood passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Markakis!
Blood is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Markakis is in real trouble.

Blood working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Blood is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Markakis is defending well though. Blood let's go of the attempt for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Markakis is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Blood gets his way!
Blood has good solid back control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markakis can't escape the position.

Markakis preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Blood.
What can Markakis do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Blood is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blood biding his time, controlling Markakis.

Blood is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Markakis is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Richard Blood!