PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Markovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arjun Batar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Markovic
vs
Batar

205 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
215 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexei Markovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arjun Batar!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Markovic clinches with his opponent.
A bit of stalling here from Markovic.

Batar has picked Markovic up - he's going for a ride! Batar dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Markovic is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Batar pulls his head out easily.
Markovic is looking for a sweep. Batar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Markovic looking for submissions off his back.

Batar is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Markovic defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Batar seems to be looking for submissions.
Batar is trying to control. Markovic wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Markovic defending well though.
Batar is keen to just control but Markovic is a slippery customer.
Markovic is looking to improve his position.
Batar wants to take a breather but Markovic is having none of it.

Markovic looking for submissions off his back.
Markovic is trying to control but can't.

Batar is trying to work for a kimura but Markovic is defending well.
Batar looks winded!
Markovic is staying active underneath Batar, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Markovic trying to control here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Markovic feints and as Batar raises his hands in defense, Markovic changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Batar is looking for a triangle but Markovic pushes his legs off easily.
Markovic seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markovic's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Batar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Batar is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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.
Markovic stays in close to Batar's body and controls the position.
Markovic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Batar on the ground.
Markovic would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Batar gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Markovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexei Markovic will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Batar tries for a takedown but Markovic circles away easily
and Markovic counters with a three punch combo that has Batar backing up. Batar nods at Markovic to acknowledge the strikes.

Markovic forces Batar back against the cage and clinches.
Batar is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Markovic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Markovic gets underhooks to prevent Batar's takedown attempt.
Alexei Markovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arjun Batar.
Batar has Markovic pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Markovic manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Markovic pulls guard effortlessly.
Markovic controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markovic looking to control.
Batar is breathing heavily.
Markovic has Batar pulled in close to control his posture.
Batar wants to control from the top but Markovic keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batar pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Markovic is keeping the position for now.

Markovic has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Batar can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Markovic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Markovic shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Markovic perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Batar actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markovic keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Markovic trying to control from Batar's half guard. Batar has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Batar trying to control the position.

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

Markovic fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Batar sprawls well initially but Markovic persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Batar works his way to full guard. Good work.
Batar keeping full guard, as Markovic tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Markovic is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Batar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Alexei Markovic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Markovic is pushing down on Batar's leg trying to pass to half guard. Batar is fighting to maintain full guard but Markovic has managed to sneak the leg through.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Batar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Markovic dominated that second round.
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!

Markovic moves into range and clinches up with Batar.
Batar is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Batar is looking for a takedown.

Markovic gets control of Batar's arms and successfully pulls guard. Markovic will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Markovic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Batar can do to turn this around?
Markovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Markovic seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Markovic working for a triangle but Batar defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic trying to strike off his back.
Markovic working a defensive guard but Batar passes into half guard.

Batar is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Markovic is staying active underneath Batar, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Batar prevents Markovic from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Markovic is looking to get back to full guard here but Batar has managed to pass to side control instead.
Batar looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Markovic is avoiding damage well.
Batar throws an elbow but Markovic slips to the side and avoids it well.
Markovic can't do much from the bottom here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Batar working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Markovic on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Markovic tries to get out of the position.

Batar is trying to get an arm triangle but Markovic is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markovic is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Batar off and has taken his back!
Markovic lands a shot to the body.
Batar trying to control the hands but Markovic won't let him.
Markovic controlling the position well here. Batar rolled but Markovic kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Markovic tightening his grip on Batar, looking for the choke.
Batar just trying to survive but Markovic is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexei Markovic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Markovic has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexei Markovic!