PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rory Markman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Sunderland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sunderland has chosen Placebo - Running up that hill as his entrance music. James Sunderland has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Rory Markman's chin.

Markman
vs
Sunderland

178 cm
37
186 lbs
25 - 24 - 0

186 cm
30
182 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 25 - 24 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rory Markman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Sunderland!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jonathan Paton and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Sunderland or perhaps it was just good defense by Markman, which made it look bad.
Sunderland tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Markman misses the target.
Sunderland is trying hard to land a takedown here. Markman sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Markman appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
James Sunderland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sunderland tries for a takedown but Markman sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Markman tries to counter with a takedown but Sunderland is quick to defend against it.
Rory Markman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Sunderland.
Sunderland looks to clinch
and Markman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sunderland fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Markman avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sunderland throws a leg kick

and Markman counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Markman.
Sunderland working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Markman.
Markman is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Midnight MMA that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Markman is working Sunderland over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Sunderland looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Markman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markman is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Markman connects with a couple of short punches.
Markman not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Sunderland looking for a guillotine here but Markman defends easily.

Sunderland looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Markman passes into half guard.
Markman trying to control from half guard but Sunderland is working away.
Markman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Markman takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Markman 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.

Sunderland is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Markman pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markman controlling the action here.
Markman wants to free his trapped foot but Sunderland is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Markman scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Sunderland looking for submissions off his back.
Sunderland is trying to get back to full guard.
Markman is pressing down on Sunderland's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sunderland is holding on for now.
Sunderland gets back to full guard.
Markman scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Markman's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Markman lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Markman's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Sunderland is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Markman trying to control but Sunderland is working from the bottom.

Markman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Sunderland had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Markman defends it easily.
Markman has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Markman lands a couple of elbows.
Sunderland bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Markman's guard.

Markman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sunderland.
Markman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Markman is trying to control. Sunderland wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markman lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Markman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Markman lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Markman is pressing down on Sunderland's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sunderland is holding on for now.

Sunderland looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Markman working over Sunderland with some ground and pound. Sunderland looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Markman winds up and cracks Sunderland with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sunderland looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sunderland tries to roll over but Markman keeps him under control.
Markman winds up and cracks Sunderland with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Markman dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Markman takes a head kick and keeps coming.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sunderland.
Markman throwing a counter right hand but Sunderland manages to avoid it.
Sunderland closes the distance but Markman moves to the side

and Markman counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sunderland won't be happy with that.
Markman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sunderland can do to turn this around?
Markman working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Sunderland tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Markman wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Markman working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Markman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sunderland keeps working.
Sunderland tries to improve position but can't.

Markman wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sunderland, who protects the arm well.
Markman working the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sunderland is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markman lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Sunderland manages to work his way to half guard, despite Markman's best efforts.

Markman 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.
Markman wants to pass the guard but Sunderland is defending well.
Markman looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Markman takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Sunderland looking for submissions off his back.

Markman is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sunderland has managed to free his arm - good work.
Markman tries to pass to full mount but Sunderland defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sunderland does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Sunderland looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Markman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sunderland taking some punishment here, with Markman in his half guard.
Markman is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Markman looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Sunderland looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Markman is pressing down on Sunderland's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sunderland is holding on for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sunderland actively working from the bottom here.
Sunderland tries to roll over but Markman keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markman working over Sunderland with some ground and pound. Sunderland looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sunderland is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Markman scores with a couple of nice shots.
Markman scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Sunderland is rocked!
Markman scores with a big shot! Sunderland's head bounced off the canvas with a huge thud! More strikes land and the referee has jumped in to save Sunderland! He was hurt real bad - good stoppage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rory Markman!