PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Maryland (ranked 5162 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Somerkoski (ranked 3331 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Maryland
vs
Somerkoski

190 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
25
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, John Maryland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Markus Somerkoski!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Michael Johnstone and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Maryland.
Maryland slips under a jab from Somerkoski.

Somerkoski closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Maryland is not content to let Somerkoski control the position.
Maryland moves into full guard.
Somerkoski wants to control from the top but Maryland keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maryland being controlled here, momentarily.
Somerkoski wants to control from the top but Maryland keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somerkoski tries to free his leg and advance position but Maryland is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Somerkoski wants to control from the top but Maryland keeps moving.
Somerkoski is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Maryland stuffs the takedown.
Somerkoski throws a hook but Maryland blocks it.
Maryland half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Maryland moves away from the strike by Somerkoski.
Maryland changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

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.

Somerkoski scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Maryland wants to control but Somerkoski is keeping busy.

Somerkoski is looking for a kimura here.
Maryland regains full guard. Nicely done.
Somerkoski engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Somerkoski has gone for a leg lock! Maryland slips out almost immediately though and dives into Somerkoski's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Somerkoski avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Somerkoski is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Maryland rolls with it to try and escape but Somerkoski cranks on the arm and Maryland is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Markus Somerkoski!