PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bong Ripper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Markson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ripper comes into the arena with Hits From The Bong by Cypress Hill blaring out of the sound system. Bong Ripper could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to John Markson's chin.

Ripper
vs
Markson

169 cm
25
187 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
23
183 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bong Ripper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Markson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Markson.
Ripper tries a head kick but it misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ripper is defended easily by Markson.
Ripper keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Markson avoids the head kick by Ripper.
Markson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Bong Ripper has been cut.
Markson tries a head kick but it misses.
Markson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ripper. Ripper circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Markson leaves Ripper with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
John Markson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Markson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ripper keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ripper on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ripper tries to get out of the position.
Markson throwing shots but Ripper is blocking nicely.
Markson not doing much here.
Ripper avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Markson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Markson lands a nice short elbow.
Ripper is breathing heavily.
Ripper avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Markson.
Markson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Markson working the head and body with strikes.
Ripper wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Markson looks to land a strike but Ripper avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Markson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ripper swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Markson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Markson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ripper's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ripper works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Markson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ripper is keeping the position for now.
Markson trying to control the position from guard on top but Ripper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ripper throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Markson landing with the ground and pound.
Markson is looking to work some ground and pound but Ripper has wrist control.
Markson trying to control the position from guard on top but Ripper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ripper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Markson stands up over Ripper, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Markson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Markson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Markson postures up in Ripper's guard and throws a big left but Ripper blocks it.
Markson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Markson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Markson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ripper works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ripper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Markson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Markson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ripper swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Markson is in close to Ripper's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Markson thows a big elbow that misses.
Markson connects with a couple of short punches.
Markson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Markson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Markson 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.
Markson throwing strikes but missing.
Markson throws a big right hand that misses.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ripper has momentary wrist control but Markson slips an elbow through the middle.
Markson tries to free his leg and advance position but Ripper is retaining full guard.
Ripper working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Markson.
Markson wants to pass the guard but Ripper is keeping the position.
Markson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Markson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Markson passes Ripper's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Markson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Markson slips a nice elbow through Ripper's hands, connecting with Ripper's forehead.
Markson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Markson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Markson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Markson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ripper blocking the ground and pound attempt from Markson.
Markson winds up and cracks Ripper with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ripper keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Markson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ripper does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Markson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Markson slips a nice elbow through Ripper's hands, connecting with Ripper's forehead.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Markson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ripper tries to roll over but Markson keeps him under control.
Markson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ripper with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Markson lands with a punch from half guard.
Markson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Markson lands a nice short elbow.
Markson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Markson slows the pace down in half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Markson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ground and pound from Markson.
Markson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ripper wants to get back to full guard.
Markson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Markson wants to free his trapped foot but Ripper is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Markson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Markson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Markson drops an elbow to the side of Ripper's head.
Markson working over Ripper with some ground and pound. Ripper looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Markson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ground and pound from Markson.
Markson winds up and cracks Ripper with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Markson is controlling the pace.
Markson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Markson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bong Ripper's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Markson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ripper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Markson scoring with punches to the head and body.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Markson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Markson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ripper keeping moving, preventing Markson from controlling successfully.
Markson cracks Ripper with a solid left hand.
Markson wants to control from the top but Ripper keeps moving.
Markson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Markson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Markson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Markson throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Markson distracts Ripper with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Markson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ripper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
John Markson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Markson is in close to Ripper's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Markson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Markson postures up and lands a big shot to Ripper's brow.
Markson stands up over Ripper, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Markson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Markson throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markson throwing strikes but missing.
Ripper preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Markson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ripper, up you get!

Markson moves into the clinch successfully.

Markson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ripper takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ripper takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Markson shoots in and gets a takedown into Ripper's guard.
Markson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Markson trying to control the position from guard on top but Ripper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ripper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ripper keeping moving, preventing Markson from controlling successfully.
Markson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Markson wants to control from the top but Ripper keeps moving.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by John Markson.
Ripper walks into a stiff left hand from Markson.
Markson shoots in for a takedown but Ripper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Markson stalks Ripper and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ripper's face. Ripper staggers backwards, shaken.
Markson shoots in and drives through. Ripper sprawls well.
Markson scores with a jab to the head.
Markson throws out a powerful jab.
Sloppy strikes from Markson. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Markson finds it's target.
Markson lands a jab to Ripper's midsection.
John Markson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Markson closes the distance and clinches up with Ripper, looking for a takedown. Markson pushes Ripper against the ropes but Ripper circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bong Ripper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Markson.
Markson has a takedown stuffed.
A head kick by Ripper misses
and Ripper takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ripper misses with a hook
and Markson counters with a stiff right hand.
Markson lands a jab-cross combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Markson instigates a clinch.

Markson breaks from the clinch.
Markson tries a head kick but it misses.
Markson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ripper throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Markson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Markson misses with a head kick.
Ripper blocks a head kick by Markson.
Ripper throws a chopping leg kick but Markson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ripper fails with an attempt to clinch.
Markson lands the left hand.
Markson tries for a takedown but Ripper sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ripper stuffs the takedown attempt from Markson. Markson gets slowly back to his feet.
Markson throws a right and a left that Ripper avoids nicely.
Ripper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Markson drives through and clinches with Ripper against the ropes.
Ripper wants to break the clinch but can't.
Markson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.

Markson breaks the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Markson stalks Ripper and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ripper's face. Ripper staggers backwards, shaken.
Ripper moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Markson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ripper as he avoids it easily.
Markson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ripper.
Markson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ripper checks a leg kick.
Markson blocks a head kick by Ripper.
Markson fails with a takedown attempt.
Markson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Ripper leaves Markson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ripper lands a jab-cross combination.
Ripper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ripper looks for the body kick but Markson saw that one coming.
Some wild striking there from Markson.
Markson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ripper pinned against the cage. Ripper gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice cross by Markson.
Ripper checks the leg kick nicely there.
Markson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ripper tries a head kick but it misses.
Ripper fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Markson lands a nice shot that snaps Ripper's head back.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Markson throws a low kick but Ripper moves out of range easily.
Markson misses with a series of wild punches.
Markson scores with a shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Markson.

Markson closes the distance and pushes Ripper back into the ropes.

Markson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Markson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ripper but Ripper pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ripper fails with an attempt to clinch.
Markson stuffs the takedown attempt from Ripper. Ripper gets slowly back to his feet.
Markson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ripper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Markson scores with the left hand. Ripper knows he should have avoided that one.
Ripper chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Markson can pounce on him.
Markson connects with a right hand. Ripper shakes it off.

Markson drives through and clinches with Ripper against the ropes.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Markson breaks from the clinch.
Ripper takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Markson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ripper counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Markson wants to slow Ripper down by chopping away at his legs.
Markson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Markson closes the distance and pushes Ripper back into the ropes.

Markson manages to break the clinch.
Ripper looks to score with a jab to the body but Markson is just out of range.
Markson jabs at Ripper's body.
Markson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Markson lands a jab to the nose.
Ripper drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ripper tries to clinch but Markson moves out of range.
Markson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ripper circles away.
Ripper tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Markson clinches up with Ripper and pushes him back against the ropes.

Markson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ripper looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Markson misses
and Ripper counters with an inside leg kick.
Markson lands a head shot.
Ripper throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Markson.
Markson cracks Ripper with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Markson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ripper misses with a low kick.
Markson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Markson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Markson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bong Ripper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ripper shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Markson as he jumps to the side.
Markson throws a sloppy head kick and Ripper moves out of range easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from Markson.
Ripper tries a head kick but it misses.
John Markson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bong Ripper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Left hook, right uppercut from Markson.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Markson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Markson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for John Markson!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for John Markson!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for John Markson!

John Markson wins by unanimous decision!