PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pasha TexHuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksei Markov (ranked 0 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.

TexHuk
vs
Markov

185 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pasha TexHuk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksei Markov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
TexHuk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Markov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
TexHuk tries a head kick but it misses.
Markov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
TexHuk throws a head kick that misses.
TexHuk delivers a nice body kick.

TexHuk rushes Markov and presses him up against the cage.
TexHuk keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Markov's efforts to push away.

TexHuk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

TexHuk lands a big head kick that sends Markov tumbling to the mat! TexHuk takes a step backwards and waves Markov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Aleksei Markov has been cut.

TexHuk rushes Markov and presses him up against the cage.
TexHuk keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Markov's efforts to push away.

TexHuk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Markov gets tackled into the cage by TexHuk. TexHuk maintains the clinch.
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!
TexHuk stalling.

TexHuk breaks the clinch.
TexHuk tries to clinch up.
TexHuk throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Markov tries to keep at a distance but TexHuk has taken the fight into the clinch.
Markov working hard to break the clinch.
TexHuk is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

TexHuk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Markov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Markov closes the distance looking to clinch

and TexHuk moves into the clinch.

TexHuk breaks from the clinch.
Markov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by TexHuk.
TexHuk lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Markov at a distance.
TexHuk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Markov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from TexHuk. That one must have hurt.
Markov looks gassed!

TexHuk closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

TexHuk breaks the clinch.
Markov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and TexHuk counters with a body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
TexHuk thuds his shin into the meat of Markov's side.
TexHuk fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

TexHuk moves into range and clinches up with Markov.

TexHuk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

TexHuk gets in close and instigates a clinch.

TexHuk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
TexHuk tries a head kick but it misses.
TexHuk tries to clinch up but Markov circles away and keeps his distance.
Pasha TexHuk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Markov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from TexHuk - the referee stops the clock and Markov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says TexHuk. Markov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
TexHuk throws a nice head kick!
TexHuk's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and TexHuk duly obliges.

TexHuk forces Markov back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TexHuk just leaning against Markov, taking a breather.
Markov fails to pull guard.

TexHuk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Markov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. TexHuk did well to prevent Markov getting side control.
Markov prevents TexHuk from standing back up.
Markov is looking to take a break and control but TexHuk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
TexHuk is trying to stand up here but Markov is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markov wants to free his trapped foot but TexHuk is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Markov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Markov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. TexHuk defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pasha TexHuk dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aleksei Markov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Markov moves into range and connects with a jab.
TexHuk moves away from the strike by Markov.
TexHuk tries to clinch there but Markov circles away.
Markov misses with a combination
and TexHuk counters with a nice body kick.
TexHuk lands a head kick. Markov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Markov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from TexHuk.
TexHuk throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Markov's head.
TexHuk lands a head kick. Markov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

TexHuk clinches up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Markov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
TexHuk is trying to buck Markov off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
TexHuk is not content to let Markov control the position.
TexHuk is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Markov is controlling him well.

Markov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by TexHuk, who protects the arm well.
Markov has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for TexHuk!
You get the feeling that TexHuk really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Markov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
TexHuk squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Markov working the ground and pound effectively.
TexHuk tries to buck Markov off but he can't manage it.
TexHuk blocking the ground and pound.

Markov working for a guillotine from mount but TexHuk is in no mood to give up.
Markov with good strikes from the mount here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TexHuk is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Markov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as TexHuk is looking to escape.
TexHuk on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if TexHuk tries to get out of the position.
Markov raining down shots from the mount!
TexHuk is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

Markov looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

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.

Markov gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
TexHuk fails in his attempt to clinch.
TexHuk is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Markov.
TexHuk misses with a head kick.
Nice takedown defense from TexHuk. No joy for Markov on that attempt.

Markov tries to keep at a distance but TexHuk has taken the fight into the clinch.
Markov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. TexHuk just stands there and leans against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

TexHuk's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Markov tries to score a power double leg takedown but TexHuk sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Markov somewhat.
Pasha TexHuk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksei Markov.
Markov wants to clinch up but TexHuk keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pasha TexHuk will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Aleksei Markov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Markov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Pasha TexHuk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

TexHuk moves into the clinch successfully.

TexHuk breaks the clinch.

TexHuk gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Markov leaning against his opponent.
Markov is trying to maintain a safe position but TexHuk gets an underhook and turns Markov into the cage.
TexHuk wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Markov has him pressed against the cage.

TexHuk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
TexHuk throws a sloppy head kick and Markov moves out of range easily.
TexHuk jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

TexHuk tries to keep at a distance but Markov has taken the fight into the clinch.
TexHuk lands a shot to the body.

TexHuk's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
TexHuk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Markov closes the distance and clinches.
TexHuk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Markov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
TexHuk tries to kick Markov off but Markov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Markov is controlling the pace.
Markov is keen to just control but TexHuk is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Markov prevents TexHuk from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markov controlling the pace.

Aleksei Markov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Markov closes this distance looking for a takedown but TexHuk circles away.
Markov moves out of range of the body kick.
TexHuk displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Markov.
Markov tries to clinch up.
Markov closes this distance looking for a takedown but TexHuk circles away.
Pasha TexHuk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksei Markov.

TexHuk clinches up with Markov and pushes him back against the cage.
Markov throws an elbow that misses.
The referee calls for TexHuk to work.

TexHuk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Markov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TexHuk lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pasha TexHuk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
TexHuk tries to clinch but Markov is having none of it.
Markov scores with a jab. TexHuk acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
TexHuk wants to clinch.
TexHuk tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Markov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Markov tries for a takedown but TexHuk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

TexHuk pushes Markov up against the cage in a clinch.
TexHuk avoiding damage as Markov throws knees to the body.

TexHuk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
TexHuk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Markov fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Markov looks for a takedown but TexHuk sprawls well.
TexHuk tries to clinch

and Markov counters by moving into the clinch.
Aleksei Markov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Markov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Markov tries to pull guard but TexHuk won't allow it.

TexHuk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Markov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
TexHuk takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
TexHuk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Markov throws out the jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Markov tries to pull guard but TexHuk holds him up against the cage and eventually Markov drops back down to his feet.
Markov fails to pull guard.
Markov trying to land knees to the body.
Markov dodges an elbow strike from TexHuk.
Pasha TexHuk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Markov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

TexHuk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

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 Pasha TexHuk.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for TexHuk, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pasha TexHuk!