PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Baker (ranked 2321 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Markov (ranked 3547 p4p, 75 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Baker
vs
Markov

190 cm
29
220 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

188 cm
26
223 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Organic Nutrition

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 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brian Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Markov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Baker moves away.
Markov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baker.
Baker on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Baker tries to clinch up but Markov circles away and keeps his distance.
Baker walks into a stiff left hand from Markov.
Baker swings for the body but Markov moves out of range.
Baker blocks a jab.
A quick step to the side and Baker tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baker has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Baker on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Baker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Markov.
Baker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Markov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Markov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Baker is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Markov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baker takes one on the chin but seems OK.

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

It looks like Alexey Markov has been cut.
Baker misses with a hook. Markov ducked under it nicely.
Markov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov lands a slapping body shot.
Markov swinging wildly here.
Markov throws a series of punches but Baker moves out of range.
Baker takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Markov throws a front kick aimed at Baker's knee but Baker avoids it well.
Baker looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Baker looks to score with a jab to the body but Markov is just out of range.
Markov cracks the inside of Baker's front leg.
Markov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Markov connects with the punch.
Markov avoids the body shot from Baker.
Baker looks for a left high kick but can't connect. Baker backs up to catch a breather... no he lunges forward with a huge flying knee that smacks Markov's temple! It sends Markov violently to the canvas! The crowd goes nuts as Baker celebrates and the doctors try to help Markov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Flying Knee). Brian Baker!