PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zoran Markovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boreste Bardanos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Bardanos's choice of entrance music: My Kingdom Will Come. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Markovic
vs
Bardanos

168 cm
29
139 lbs
14 - 2 - 2

164 cm
27
145 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

KAISER
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Zoran Markovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Boreste Bardanos!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Atkins and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bardanos scores with a shot to the body.
Markovic dodges the punch combination from Bardanos.
Bardanos ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Markovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Markovic throws a leg kick but Bardanos moved away.
A jab from Markovic finds it's way through Bardanos's defenses.
Markovic has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Markovic connects with a solid leg kick.
Markovic digs a good hook to Bardanos's body.
A shot to the liver by Markovic. Beautiful body shot.
Bardanos throws a shot 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!
Bardanos throws a hook but Markovic avoids it easily.
Bardanos misses with an uppercut.
Bardanos has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Markovic. Bardanos shrugs it off though.
Bardanos throws a big shot that misses.
Markovic moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
No luck for Bardanos with that takedown attempt.

Bardanos gets the takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bardanos.
The ground and pound from Bardanos seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Markovic bucks up and tries to throw Bardanos off but instead Bardanos has got his back!
Bardanos keeps control of the position as Markovic tries to break free.
Markovic covering up well and avoiding damage.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Bardanos's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Markovic wants to get back to his feet.
Markovic avoids the strikes from Bardanos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bardanos lands a shot to the head.
Bardanos gets his hands free as Markovic looks to control.

Markovic defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.

Bardanos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Markovic trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bardanos manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Bardanos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bardanos looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bardanos postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bardanos throwing strikes from guard but Markovic blocks nicely.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bardanos looking to pass the guard.
Bardanos preventing the sweep.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Markovic manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Bardanos misses with a hook to the ribs.
Markovic tries to work over Bardanos's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Markovic is struggling to control the position.
Bardanos wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic has a couple of punches blocked by Bardanos.
Bardanos looking for a takedown.
Zoran Markovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boreste Bardanos.
Bardanos misses with the head strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Markovic.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Markovic takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Markovic misses with a body punch.
Markovic misses with the head strike.
Bardanos is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Markovic is defending well.
Bardanos misses with a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for Markovic.
Markovic slows down the pace here.
Bardanos blocks a punch to the side of the head.
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 Zoran Markovic will probably get the nod.
That's time! Markovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bardanos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Markovic misses with a low kick.
Zoran Markovic is winning the standup battle so far.
Bardanos comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A good leg kick by Markovic.
Markovic scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Markovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bardanos manages to avoid it.
Bardanos throws a lazy right hand but Markovic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A shot to the liver by Bardanos. Beautiful body shot.
Markovic throws a quick inside leg kick.
Markovic misses with a body shot.
Markovic thows a body kick. Bardanos tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Markovic throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
We've been told by Markovic's head coaches at KO Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Markovic just misses with a punch to the body.
A left lands for Bardanos.
Bardanos misses with a takedown attempt - Markovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Markovic misses the shot to the body.
Bardanos fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markovic takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Markovic misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic misses with a hook.
Bardanos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Markovic throws a body shot but no joy.
Bardanos on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Markovic is looking to wear down Bardanos with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Markovic throws a looping overhand right but Bardanos ducks down to avoid it.
Bardanos sizes up Markovic with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zoran Markovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bardanos moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Markovic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Markovic avoids the body shot from Bardanos.
Markovic throws a hook but Bardanos blocks it.
Bardanos displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Markovic misses the shot to the body.
Markovic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Markovic throws a chopping leg kick but Bardanos manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Markovic throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bardanos on the side of the head.
Bardanos scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Good leg kick by Markovic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Markovic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bardanos was well out of range. Poor timing from Markovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bardanos throws a hook but Markovic blocks it.
Markovic bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Bardanos keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bardanos avoids a kick to the body.
Bardanos dips to his left and cracks Markovic with an uppercut!
Bardanos uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Markovic.
A telegraphed right hand from Bardanos misses the target.
Bardanos connects with a crisp jab.
Markovic moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bardanos steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Markovic.
Bardanos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bardanos takes a jab right on the kisser.

Bardanos looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Markovic!
Bardanos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Markovic keeps working.
The ground and pound from Bardanos seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markovic tries to escape but Bardanos is in control.

Bardanos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Markovic avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bardanos.
Bardanos cracks Markovic with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Bardanos wants to control but Markovic is keeping him busy.
An elbow from Bardanos crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Markovic tries to improve position but can't.
The strikes coming from Bardanos are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Bardanos looking to control but instead Markovic has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Markovic trying to hold on to Bardanos's head to control him but Bardanos postures up.
Bardanos not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Markovic is trying to stand back up but Bardanos is controlling him
Bardanos moves nicely into side control.
Bardanos is looking to take a break and control but Markovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Boreste Bardanos will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bardanos thuds a left hand into Markovic's body.
Bardanos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A little feinted left hand from Markovic on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Markovic throws a body punch but Bardanos moves out of range.
Markovic throws a leg kick
and Bardanos counters with a straight right hand.
Bardanos moves out of range of the body kick from Markovic.
Markovic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bardanos.
Bardanos misses with a lunging right hand
letting Markovic counter with a right hand.
Bardanos scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Markovic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Markovic misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Bardanos counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Markovic!

Markovic throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Markovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bardanos manages to avoid it.
Bardanos drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Markovic defends it well.
Markovic throws out a loose jab but Bardanos uses good head movement to avoid it.
Markovic tries to score with a low kick but Bardanos moves his leg out of the way.
Markovic throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bardanos throws a body punch but Markovic moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bardanos looks to land a combination. Markovic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Zoran Markovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Bardanos closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bardanos lands in his opponent's guard.
Markovic working a defensive guard here.
Markovic wants to control the position but Bardanos says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Bardanos controlling the action here.
Markovic trying to control from the bottom.
Markovic is pressing down on Bardanos's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bardanos stands and throws Markovic's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Markovic gets back to half guard.
Bardanos is keen to just control but Markovic is a slippery customer.
Bardanos looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Markovic with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Markovic is trying to stand.
Boreste Bardanos has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bardanos throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Markovic is not content to let Bardanos control the position.
Bardanos stops Markovic from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bardanos throwing shots but Markovic is blocking nicely.
Bardanos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Markovic keeps working.
Bardanos prevents Markovic from standing back up.
Bardanos wants to free his trapped foot but Markovic is holding on for dear life with his legs.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bardanos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bardanos bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Markovic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bardanos throws out the jab.
Bardanos will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bardanos looks to throw the jab but Markovic is out of range.
Markovic connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bardanos's hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Markovic misses
and Bardanos cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bardanos throws a shot to the body.
Markovic throws a leg kick but Bardanos moved away.
Markovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bardanos fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bardanos takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Markovic staying out of range there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markovic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Markovic fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bardanos.
Bardanos just misses with a punch to the body.
Markovic was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Bardanos blocks a head kick by Markovic.
Markovic lands with a kick to the ribs.
Bardanos bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Markovic's head backwards.
Markovic drops his hands momentarily and Bardanos takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Markovic swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Bardanos counters with a stiff right hand.
Bardanos tests Markovic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
An inside leg kick from Markovic misses.
Bardanos looks to score with a jab to the body but Markovic is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boreste Bardanos really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Markovic lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bardanos will feel that in the morning.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Markovic.
Bardanos throws a big shot that misses.
Markovic fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bardanos.
Markovic moves away from the strike by Bardanos.
Bardanos throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Markovic counter with a right hand.
Bardanos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Markovic catches Bardanos with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bardanos misses with a hook. Markovic ducked under it nicely.
Markovic moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Markovic connects with the punch.
Markovic throws a leg kick but Bardanos sees it coming and moves out of range.
Markovic cracks Bardanos with an open hand slap.
Markovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bardanos manages to avoid it.
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!
Bardanos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markovic.
Bardanos slips a straight right by Markovic.
The fighters circling - Markovic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bardanos misses with a takedown attempt - Markovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Markovic swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bardanos misses with an uppercut.
No joy there for Bardanos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Markovic fires out a quick counter leg kick but Bardanos just manages to avoid it.
Bardanos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Markovic lands with a nice body punch.
Decent striking displayed by Bardanos there.
Markovic scores with a nice strike.
Markovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bardanos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Markovic.
Markovic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Markovic shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Bardanos shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Markovic tries to kick Bardanos off in order to stand up. Bardanos Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bardanos postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Markovic wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Bardanos trying to control the position but Markovic is working away.
Bardanos throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Bardanos working away.
Bardanos working the ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markovic takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Bardanos is looking to take a break and control but Markovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Markovic prevents Bardanos from improving position.
Bardanos tries to advance to mount but Markovic instead regains half guard.
Bardanos is looking to advance position but Markovic won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Markovic has hold of Bardanos's hands but Bardanos slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bardanos is keen to just control but Markovic is a slippery customer.
Markovic wants to get back to his feet.
Markovic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bardanos wants to pass the guard but Markovic is keeping the position.
Bardanos postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bardanos is looking to work some ground and pound but Markovic has wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zoran Markovic had his way with Boreste Bardanos in that round.
That's time! Markovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bardanos scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Bardanos closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Markovic's guard.
Markovic is trying to keep Bardanos in close.
Bardanos is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bardanos looking to sit in guard and control but Markovic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Bardanos is looking for a triangle but Markovic pushes his legs off easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bardanos 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic wants to stand but Bardanos is controlling his posture from full guard.
Bardanos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Markovic is one step ahead there.
Markovic looking to pass the guard.

Bardanos looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bardanos 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Markovic has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bardanos is proving hard to escape from.
Markovic engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bardanos is on top in guard.

Bardanos with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bardanos stopping the sweep attempt from Markovic.
Bardanos throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bardanos wants to pass the guard but Markovic is keeping the position.
Bardanos stops Markovic from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Markovic connects with a solid leg kick.
Bardanos uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Markovic.
Bardanos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Markovic looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Markovic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bardanos takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic slips under a jab.
Markovic avoids the body shot from Bardanos.
Markovic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Markovic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bardanos doesn't seem bothered though.
Bardanos walks into a jab.
Markovic throws a body punch but Bardanos moves out of range.
Markovic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bardanos.
Bardanos lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Markovic at a distance.
Markovic misses the shot to the body.
Markovic looks for the body kick but Bardanos saw that one coming.
Bardanos uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Markovic has time to react.
Bardanos's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bardanos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markovic.
Markovic misses with a kick to the body.
Bardanos is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Markovic with a body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bardanos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Markovic throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A left lands for Markovic.
Markovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Markovic lands a nice looking kick to the body. Bardanos takes a step back to recover.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Zoran Markovic.
I think Markovic has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 48:47
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Zoran Markovic!
A victorious Zoran Markovic thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.