PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Timur Umarov (ranked 1361 p4p, 160 weight class) and Tim Markovic (ranked 4475 p4p, 401 weight class). Umarov comes to the cage accompanied by Klergy with Valerie Broussard - Start a War. Tim Markovic will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Umarov
vs
Markovic

178 cm
31
185 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

175 cm
24
164 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Timur Umarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tim Markovic!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markovic shoots and misses
and Umarov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Markovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Markovic throws a body punch but Umarov moves out of range.
Markovic misses with an uppercut
and Umarov counters with a stiff right hand.
Markovic misses the shot to the body.
Markovic misses with a body shot.
Tim Markovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Markovic shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Umarov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Umarov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Markovic not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Markovic throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Markovic's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Markovic stops Umarov from standing up.
Markovic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Markovic wants to control from the top but Umarov keeps moving.
Markovic wants to pass the guard but Umarov is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Umarov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Umarov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We've been hearing that Umarov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Markovic tries to get to full guard but Umarov has control of the leg.
Markovic is trying to control but can't.
Markovic is trying to control but Umarov manages to pass to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umarov avoids the attempt from Markovic to control.
Markovic really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Markovic is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Umarov controlling the position easily from mount.
Markovic is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Umarov avoids the attempt from Markovic to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markovic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Umarov content just to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Markovic is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timur Umarov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Umarov lands a really nice looking cross but Markovic seems unphased.
Umarov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Markovic misses with a hook

and Umarov counters with a single leg into guard. Markovic didn't expect that.
Umarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Markovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Markovic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Markovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Markovic is looking for a triangle here but Umarov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Markovic regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Umarov trying to control the pace.

Markovic actively working from the bottom here.
Umarov is controlling the pace.
Timur Umarov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Markovic tries to roll over but Umarov keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Umarov controlling the pace.
Umarov wants to control but Markovic is keeping him busy.
Markovic is concentrating on defense, preventing Umarov from advancing position.
Markovic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Umarov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Markovic.
Markovic throws a hook but Umarov blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markovic looks to land a right hand but Umarov moved out of range.
Umarov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Markovic can pounce on him.
Markovic lands a front kick.
Markovic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Markovic darts in looking for a takedown but Umarov gets double underhooks and turns Markovic into the cage.
Markovic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Umarov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Umarov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Markovic pinned against the cage. Markovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Markovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Markovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Umarov counters with a nice body shot.
Markovic swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Umarov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Umarov scores with a body shot.
Markovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Markovic swings for the body but Umarov moves out of range.
Markovic with a hook.
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!
Umarov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Markovic misses with a body shot
and Markovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Markovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Umarov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Markovic.
Markovic looks to throw the jab but Umarov is out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Umarov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Markovic tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Umarov is in Markovic's guard.
Umarov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Markovic managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timur Umarov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Markovic lands a head shot.
A swing and a miss from Umarov.
Markovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Markovic is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Umarov rather than just go for the knockout.
Umarov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Umarov dives in and grabs Markovic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Markovic pushes down on Umarov's head and hops out.
Markovic shoots in looking for a takedown but Umarov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Markovic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Markovic lands a two punch combo.
Markovic throws an off balance right hand
and Umarov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic scores with a punch to the head.
Markovic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timur Umarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Markovic, right into the meat.
A telegraphed right hand from Markovic misses the target.
Markovic throws a series of punches but Umarov moves out of range.
Markovic lands with a shot to the body.
Umarov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Markovic scores with a hook.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Markovic, right into the meat.
Umarov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Umarov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Markovic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markovic scores with a kick to the midsection.
Markovic misses with a low kick.

Markovic shoots in and gets a takedown into Umarov's guard.
Umarov keeping moving, preventing Markovic from controlling successfully.
Markovic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Markovic wants to control from the top but Umarov keeps moving.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Markovic. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Markovic controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umarov keeping moving, preventing Markovic from controlling successfully.

Markovic drops back, looking for a kneebar! Umarov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Umarov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Umarov!

Markovic tries to bench press Umarov off him but Umarov keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Markovic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Markovic is pressing down on Umarov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Umarov passes into half guard.
Timur Umarov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Markovic is staying active underneath Umarov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Umarov prevents Markovic from improving his position.
Markovic gets back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tim Markovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Umarov 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timur Umarov!
During a confident post fight interview, Timur Umarov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.