PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tripp Faller (ranked 2478 p4p, 3054 weight class) and Feofilakt Markarian (ranked 310 p4p, 384 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Feofilakt Markarian enters the cage!

Faller
vs
Markarian

203 cm
26
265
3 - 1 - 0

194 cm
26
245
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tripp Faller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Feofilakt Markarian!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Ben Hemmingworth and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Faller darts in looking for a takedown but Markarian gets double underhooks and turns Faller into the cage.
Markarian can't find room to land a body shot as Faller controls the action.
A body shot lands from Markarian.
Markarian digs a right hand into Faller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Faller's gas tank.
Faller is breathing heavily.
Faller prevents a body shot from Markarian.
Markarian doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Markarian tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Faller's elbow.
Markarian lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Faller backwards.
Markarian lands with a right to the head.
Markarian misses with a body punch.
Markarian tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markarian lands a shot to the body.
Markarian tries to throw a body punch but Faller avoids it by throwing Markarian back against the cage.
Faller takes a shot to the head.
Markarian scores with a nice hook to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Markarian.
A short uppercut from Markarian.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markarian lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Faller or not.
Markarian is working Faller over against the cage.
Markarian lands a body shot in the clinch.
Markarian lands a shot to the body.
Markarian scores with a nice hook to the head.
Markarian softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Markarian is leaning against Faller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Markarian.
Markarian struggles to land a body shot inside as Faller controls his hands.
Markarian makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
I was talking to Faller's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Markarian makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Markarian as the two fighters clinch.
A hook to the body from Markarian.
Markarian lands with a short shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markarian scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Markarian as the two fighters clinch.
Faller blocks a body shot from Markarian.
Markarian lands a body shot.
Markarian goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Markarian - that landed with a thud.
Markarian goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Markarian lands a body shot in the clinch.
Markarian lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Faller or not.
A left hand lands to the body for Markarian.
Markarian digs a right hand into Faller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Faller's gas tank.
Markarian struggles to land a body shot inside as Faller controls his hands.
Markarian lands a left hand.
Markarian lands a shoulder strike.
Markarian lands a nice shot to the body.
Markarian tries to work over Faller's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markarian can't find room to land a body shot as Faller controls the action.
A body shot lands from Markarian.
Nice body punch from Markarian - that landed with a thud.
Markarian presses Faller against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Faller can't break the clinch.
Faller's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Markarian goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Markarian.
Markarian lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short right from Markarian on the inside.
Good body shot from Markarian.
Markarian presses Faller against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Markarian lands a body punch.
A body shot lands from Markarian.
A right hand to the body from Markarian.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Markarian.
Markarian is leaning against Faller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Markarian lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Faller backwards.
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!
Markarian misses with a hook to the ribs.
Markarian digs a right hand into Faller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Faller's gas tank.
Markarian scores with a nice hook to the head.
Markarian lands a body punch in the clinch.
Markarian stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Markarian lands a shot to the body.
Markarian lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Markarian scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Markarian misses with a body punch.
Good body shot from Markarian.
A short right from Markarian on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Markarian scores with a nice short uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Markarian wants to clinch up but Faller keeps it at a distance.
Tripp Faller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markarian jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Faller shoots in for a double leg but Markarian sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice straight punches there by Markarian. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Markarian.
Faller shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Markarian pinned against the cage. Markarian gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jab by Markarian.
Markarian wants to clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markarian tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Faller manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Markarian tries to close the distance and clinch up but Faller swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Markarian tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Faller manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markarian wants to clinch up but Faller keeps it at a distance.
Markarian tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Faller manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Markarian tries to clinch up.

Markarian closes the distance and clinches.
Faller is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Markarian is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tripp Faller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Markarian tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Faller's elbow.
A short body shot lands from Markarian as the two fighters clinch.
Feofilakt Markarian seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Markarian is leaning against Faller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Markarian is leaning against Faller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Markarian misses with a body punch.
Markarian lands a body shot in the clinch.
Markarian lands an uppercut.
Markarian lands a hook to the side of the head.
Markarian misses with a punch to the body.
Markarian stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markarian lands a shot to the body.
Markarian can't find room to land a body shot as Faller controls the action.
A short body shot lands from Markarian as the two fighters clinch.
Markarian is working Faller over against the cage.
Markarian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Good body shot from Markarian.
Good body shot from Markarian.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Markarian misses with a body punch.
A hook to the body from Markarian.
Markarian pushes Faller back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Markarian misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Markarian lands a nice shot to the body.
Markarian scores with a shot to the side of Faller's head.
Markarian lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Faller or not.
Markarian works on Faller's body with a couple of short punches.
Markarian is working Faller over against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markarian lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Faller backwards.
Markarian is leaning against Faller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Markarian works on Faller's body with a couple of short punches.
Markarian lands a body punch.
Markarian tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Faller's elbow.
Markarian lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Markarian is leaning against Faller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Markarian lands a left hand.
Markarian misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Markarian lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Markarian lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Markarian cracks Faller with a nice body shot.
A hook to the body from Markarian.
A left hand lands to the body for Markarian.
Markarian is leaning against Faller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four 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!
Markarian tries to throw a body punch but Faller avoids it by throwing Markarian back against the cage.
Markarian scores with a shot to the side of Faller's head.
A short body shot lands from Markarian as the two fighters clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Markarian.
Markarian lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Markarian lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Faller.
Markarian lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Faller backwards.
Markarian presses Faller against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Markarian lands a body shot.
Markarian tries to throw a body punch but Faller avoids it by throwing Markarian back against the cage.
Markarian lands with a right to the head.
Faller blocks a body shot from Markarian.
Markarian stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Markarian stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Feofilakt Markarian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Markarian tries to close the distance and clinch but Faller swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Markarian stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Markarian wants it to stay on the feet.
Faller avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Markarian steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Faller.

Markarian rushes Faller and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Markarian tries to work over Faller's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Markarian can't find room to land a body shot as Faller controls the action.
Markarian misses with a body punch.

Faller turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Faller is trying to get an arm triangle but Markarian is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markarian is trying to buck Faller off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Faller is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Markarian knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faller fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Faller is looking to take a break and control but Markarian is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Faller tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Markarian wants to get back to his feet but Faller drags him back down.
Faller throws a strike aimed at the side of Markarian's head but Markarian avoids it well.
Tripp Faller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Feofilakt Markarian is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two 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.

Faller working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Faller working away.
Markarian wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Faller misses with the ground and pound.
Faller tries to move into full mount but can't pass Markarian's legs.

Faller thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Faller is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Markarian knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Markarian is not content to let Faller control the position.
Faller sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Markarian is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Faller throwing shots but missing, from side control.

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.
Faller creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Markarian sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Faller is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Markarian has escaped the position, nice work there.
Faller throwing shots but missing, from side control.
The strikes coming from Faller are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The strikes coming from Faller are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Check out the look on Faller's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Markarian looks to move to half guard but instead Faller has passed into mount! Damn!
Faller looking to ground and pound but Markarian is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tripp Faller showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Markarian has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 26:29
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 26:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 26:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Feofilakt Markarian!