PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between stefan markovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sihara Mecks (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.

markovic
vs
Mecks

168 cm
19
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

163 cm
18
139 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, stefan markovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sihara Mecks!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
markovic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mecks as he avoids it easily.
markovic fails with the takedown.
Mecks gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and markovic decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mecks's guard.
markovic is looking to stand up but Mecks won't let him.

markovic gets to his feet. Mecks looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

markovic gets caught flat footed, as Mecks shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Mecks lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
markovic is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Mecks drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and markovic dives on top into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
markovic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mecks wants to stand and escape but markovic is having none of it.
markovic is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
markovic thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two 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.

Mecks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mecks looks gassed!
Mecks wants to stand up but markovic is controlling him.
Mecks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
markovic preventing the sweep.

Mecks is looking for a triangle here but markovic uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
markovic cracks Mecks with a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
markovic looking to control but instead Mecks has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Mecks kicks markovic off and gets back to his feet.
markovic tries for a takedown but Mecks circles away easily

and Mecks counters with a single leg into guard. markovic didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for stefan markovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

markovic wriggles free and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mecks shoots and misses

and markovic counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by markovic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mecks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
markovic passes Mecks's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

markovic is working for a kimura but Mecks is defending it quite comfortably.
Mecks wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

stefan markovic dominated that round.
That's time! markovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mecks misses with a takedown
and markovic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
markovic closes the distance but Mecks moves to the side

and Mecks counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
markovic gets back to full guard.

Mecks drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and markovic dives on top into guard.
markovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Mecks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
markovic working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mecks's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mecks pushes markovic off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
markovic wants to clinch

and Mecks counters with a takedown into side control.
Mecks trying to control the action but markovic is working from the bottom.
markovic is looking to regain half guard here but Mecks keeps moving and retains side control.
markovic manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mecks looks like he's trying to stand up.
markovic wants to take a breather but Mecks is having none of it.
Mecks wants to control but markovic is keeping busy.
markovic is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
markovic throwing shots but Mecks is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mecks makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mecks.
markovic wants to pass the guard but Mecks is keeping the position.
markovic sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
markovic trying to control but Mecks is working from the bottom.
Mecks trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Mecks looking for a sweep. Not yet Mecks, not yet.
markovic has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

markovic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sihara Mecks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

markovic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mecks was well out of range. Poor timing from markovic.
markovic throws a one two combo.
markovic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Mecks counters with a nice double leg into side control. markovic won't be happy with that.

Mecks tries for a kimura but markovic is defending well.
Mecks tries to score with some ground and pound. markovic controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Mecks looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
markovic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
markovic trying to control here.

Mecks is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
markovic manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
markovic keeping moving, preventing Mecks from controlling successfully.

markovic is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mecks is aware though and is defending well.
Mecks throws a big right hand that misses.

Mecks stands up and waves to markovic to follow him.
markovic closes the distance but Mecks moves to the side

and Mecks counters with a nice double leg into side control. markovic won't be happy with that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mecks is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but markovic is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mecks working the head with strikes.
markovic is not content to let Mecks control the position.
markovic is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mecks's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
markovic moves into full guard.

That's four 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.
markovic lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mecks!
markovic controlling from the full mount.
markovic blocks Mecks's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sihara Mecks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mecks 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sihara Mecks!