PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abdi Ali Raouff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vadim Markov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ali Raouff comes to the cage accompanied by Aishiq. 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.

Ali Raouff
vs
Markov

200 cm
25
274 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

193 cm
25
263 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abdi Ali Raouff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Vadim Markov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Ivan Kurochkin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

It looks like Vadim Markov has been cut.
We've been hearing reports that Ali Raouff has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Markov fails to land with a series of punches.
Markov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A punch combination from Ali Raouff misses.
Markov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ali Raouff stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Markov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Ali Raouff clinches up against the cage.

Ali Raouff breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vadim Markov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ali Raouff fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Markov 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.

Ali Raouff clinches.

Ali Raouff breaks from the clinch.
Ali Raouff looks to land a left hand but Markov moved out of range nicely.
Ali Raouff misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Markov throws a series of punches but Ali Raouff moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Markov misses with a two punch combination.
Markov lands a two punch combo.
Ali Raouff throws a nice looking combination but Markov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ali Raouff throws a nice looking combination but Markov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ali Raouff scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ali Raouff goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov scores with a three punch combo!
Ali Raouff misses with a series of wild punches.
Markov feints the counter takedown.
Ali Raouff lands a jab to the nose.

Ali Raouff pushes Markov up against the cage in a clinch.

Ali Raouff pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Markov!
Ali Raouff pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Markov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ali Raouff avoids a punch combination nicely.
Markov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ali Raouff looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ali Raouff throws a right and a left that both miss.
Markov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ali Raouff connects with a crisp jab.
Ali Raouff throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ali Raouff checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Markov looks winded!
Ali Raouff throws a shot from downtown. Markov moves away and avoids it.
Markov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ali Raouff connects with a high kick.
Markov tries to work over Ali Raouff's front leg with a kick but Ali Raouff checks it.
Ali Raouff lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ali Raouff cracks Markov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That has opened up Vadim Markov's cut even more.
Ali Raouff scores with a jab.
Ali Raouff throws a right and a left that both miss.
And Markov tries to counter it with a takedown but Ali Raouff pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Markov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ali Raouff as he jumps to the side.

Ali Raouff drives through and clinches with Markov against the cage.

Ali Raouff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ali Raouff tries to bum rush Markov with a series of wild strikes but Markov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A punch combination from Ali Raouff misses.
Ali Raouff throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Markov.
Markov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Some wild striking there from Markov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markov misses with a wild combination.
Markov throws a nice looking combination but Ali Raouff bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ali Raouff went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ali Raouff throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Markov feints the counter takedown.
Ali Raouff misses with the combination.
Markov stuffs the takedown attempt from Ali Raouff. Ali Raouff gets slowly back to his feet.
Ali Raouff is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ali Raouff misses with a double jab.
Markov stalks Ali Raouff and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ali Raouff's face. Ali Raouff staggers backwards, shaken.
Ali Raouff takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Ali Raouff shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ali Raouff was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Markov throws Ali Raouff to one side and escapes!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Markov misses with a takedown attempt - Ali Raouff sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Markov is working the combinations to good effect here.
Sloppy strikes from Markov. Those never looked like landing.
Ali Raouff loads up on a big right hand but Markov slips the punch.
Markov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ali Raouff defends it well.

Ali Raouff closes the distance and clinches.

Ali Raouff turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Markov regains half guard, as Ali Raouff was trying to land strikes.
Ali Raouff throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ali Raouff throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Markov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
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 Abdi Ali Raouff will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vadim Markov's cut.
That's time! Ali Raouff's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ali Raouff misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ali Raouff takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ali Raouff throws an overhand right that lands on Markov's shoulder, as Markov tries to avoid the shot.
Ali Raouff lands a nice shot that snaps Markov's head back.
Sloppy strikes from Ali Raouff. Those never looked like landing.
Ali Raouff delivers a nice body kick.
Ali Raouff misses with a head kick.
Ali Raouff avoids a punch combination nicely.
A punch combination from Ali Raouff misses.
Ali Raouff misses with a jab, cross combination.
A head kick misses from Ali Raouff.
Ali Raouff looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Ali Raouff misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ali Raouff eats them both and turns towards Markov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ali Raouff shoots in looking for a takedown. Markov tries to sprawl out of it but Ali Raouff keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Markov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali Raouff on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice straight punches there by Markov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Markov.
Ali Raouff shoots for a takedown but Markov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ali Raouff blocks a head kick by Markov.
Ali Raouff walks into a jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Markov scores with a four punch combination!
Markov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Vadim Markov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ali Raouff throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Markov.
Nice shot by Markov.
Some wild striking there from Markov.
Markov throws a nice looking combination but Ali Raouff bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Abdi Ali Raouff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Markov thuds a left hand into Ali Raouff's body.
Markov scores with a three punch combo!
Markov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ali Raouff sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Markov somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markov dodges the punch combination from Ali Raouff.
Ali Raouff misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ali Raouff takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Ali Raouff forces Markov back against the cage and clinches.

Ali Raouff breaks the clinch.
Ali Raouff goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Markov digs a good hook to Ali Raouff's body.
Markov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ali Raouff. That did some damage!
Ali Raouff pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Markov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Danga de danga de dang - Markov scores with a four punch combination!
Ali Raouff throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Markov's head.
Markov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ali Raouff eats them both and turns towards Markov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ali Raouff throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Markov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Markov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Markov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ali Raouff back to the cage. Markov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Ali Raouff misses with a series of wild punches.
Ali Raouff doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ali Raouff displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sloppy strikes from Markov. Those never looked like landing.
Ali Raouff is looking to counter the offense by Markov and move into the clinch.
Ali Raouff scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ali Raouff looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Markov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ali Raouff moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Markov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ali Raouff throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ali Raouff throws a right and a left that Markov avoids nicely.
Markov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ali Raouff checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markov misses with a series of wild punches.
Markov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ali Raouff shoots for a double leg takedown but Markov sprawls well. He's pushed Ali Raouff's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdi Ali Raouff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ali Raouff.
Markov fails to land with a series of punches.

Ali Raouff pushes Markov up against the cage in a clinch.

Ali Raouff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Markov throws a series of strikes that have Ali Raouff backpedaling.
Ali Raouff shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Markov eats them both and turns towards Ali Raouff to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

The cut above Vadim Markov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Markov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ali Raouff back to the cage. Markov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ali Raouff moves into the clinch.

Ali Raouff successfully pulls guard.
Markov tries to free his leg and advance position but Ali Raouff is retaining full guard.
Markov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Markov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vadim Markov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Markov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Markov throws a series of punches but Ali Raouff avoids them all with ease.
Markov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ali Raouff eats them both and turns towards Markov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Ali Raouff closes the distance and clinches.
Ali Raouff lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Ali Raouff decides to pull guard.
Ali Raouff has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ali Raouff utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markov won't allow Ali Raouff to get back to his feet.
Ali Raouff is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ali Raouff tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ali Raouff has his foot on Markov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Markov works his way back into a safe position though.
Ali Raouff utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vadim Markov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Markov throwing strikes from guard but Ali Raouff blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ali Raouff scores with a three punch combo!
Ali Raouff takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Markov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Markov throws a one two combo.
Ali Raouff showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Markov.
Ali Raouff showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Markov.
Ali Raouff misses with the combination.
Ali Raouff fakes the leg kick and cracks Markov in the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Markov tries to keep at a distance but Ali Raouff has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ali Raouff drags the fight down to the ground.
Ali Raouff thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ali Raouff 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.
Ali Raouff working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Markov.
Markov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ali Raouff preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Markov throwing strikes from guard but Ali Raouff blocks nicely.
Markov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markov with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Markov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ali Raouff shoots in looking for a takedown. Markov tries to sprawl out of it but Ali Raouff keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Markov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Markov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ali Raouff tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Markov manages to circle out of the way.
Ali Raouff gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Markov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Ali Raouff closes the distance and clinches.

Markov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Ali Raouff is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Markov to the mat. Markov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Ali Raouff has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Markov looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ali Raouff gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Markov throws a nice looking combination but Ali Raouff bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Ali Raouff clinches with his opponent.

Ali Raouff wants the takedown. Markov is fighting it off but Ali Raouff persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Markov's guard against the cage.
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!
Ali Raouff connects with a couple of short punches.
Markov keeping moving, preventing Ali Raouff from controlling successfully.
Markov wants to stand and escape but Ali Raouff is having none of it.
Ali Raouff 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ali Raouff throws a big elbow that misses.

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 Abdi Ali Raouff.
I think Ali Raouff 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!