PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Markov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antoni Hardonk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Markov
vs
Hardonk

184 cm
20
230 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
249 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Resistance

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Markov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antoni Hardonk!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksandr Martynov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardonk misses with a few strikes there.
Hardonk throws a right and a left that Markov avoids nicely.
Hardonk throws a nice looking combination but Markov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Hardonk gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Markov could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Markov wants to pass the guard but Hardonk is keeping the position.
Markov is stalling in the full guard.
Markov looking to pass the guard.
Hardonk trying to keep a closed guard but Markov is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex Markov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hardonk shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Markov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardonk pushes Markov off but Markov dives into side control.
Markov controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markov is looking to take a break and control but Hardonk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Markov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hardonk can't do much from the bottom here.
Markov controls the position.

That's two 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.

Markov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Markov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hardonk being controlled for a moment.
Markov'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.
Markov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hardonk keeps working.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Hardonk is looking for a sweep.
Markov wants to control but Hardonk is keeping him busy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hardonk is letting Markov control him for a moment.
Markov is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alex Markov.
Hardonk scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Markov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hardonk feints a jab promting Markov to slip. Hardonk then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Markov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hardonk throws a right hand that Markov ducks under and follows up with a left that Markov also avoids with ease.
Hardonk falls off balance throwing a combination

and Markov counters with a single leg into guard. Hardonk didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardonk is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hardonk looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Hardonk lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Markov!
Hardonk tries to control but Markov wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hardonk stands up from mount. Strange move.
Markov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hardonk scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Antoni Hardonk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardonk moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Hardonk scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hardonk slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hardonk lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Hardonk lands with an uppercut that bounces Markov off the cage and back into rage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardonk stuns Markov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Markov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Markov moves forwards but Hardonk connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hardonk works over Markov's head and body with a nice combination.
Hardonk cracks Markov with an open hand slap.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antoni Hardonk dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hardonk!
Hardonk scores with a nice strike.
Alex Markov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Markov has closed the distance and engaged Hardonk in a clinch.
Hardonk tries to break free but Markov pushes him back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Markov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Markov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hardonk shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Markov eats them both and turns towards Hardonk to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Hardonk stuffs the takedown.
Hardonk's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Hardonk duly obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Markov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A jab lands there for Hardonk.
Hardonk throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hardonk has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A left and a right from Hardonk both land. Nice combination.
Hardonk lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardonk lands a nice shot to the body.
Hardonk with a poor takedown

and Markov counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Hardonk looking for a guillotine here but Markov defends easily.
Hardonk is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Markov is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hardonk bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Markov's guard.
Markov can't keep his opponent in guard - Hardonk advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Hardonk is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hardonk trying to control from half guard but Markov is working away.
Markov wants to control but Hardonk is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardonk is working for a submission of some sort.
Hardonk trying to control the action but Markov is working from the bottom.
Hardonk tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Markov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Markov is not content to let Hardonk control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hardonk wants to work for an arm triangle but Markov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antoni Hardonk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hardonk goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hardonk.
Hardonk scores with a one two! Markov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Hardonk gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Markov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hardonk wants to stand and escape but Markov is having none of it.
Hardonk is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Markov trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardonk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardonk keeping full guard, as Markov tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markov postures up.

Antoni Hardonk has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hardonk with a hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hardonk throws a one two combo.
Hardonk lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Antoni Hardonk seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Markov dodges the punch combination from Hardonk.
Hardonk feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Markovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hardonk lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Markov backs up against the cage.
Markov walks into a jab.
Markov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Markov tries to move into range but Hardonk moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hardonk ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hardonk lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Markov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hardonk moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Markov slips a jab and a cross from Hardonk.
Hardonk scores with a one two! Markov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hardonk dips to his left and cracks Markov with an uppercut!
Hardonk rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Markov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardonk digs a good body shot into Markov's ribs.
Hardonk's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Hardonk duly obliges.
Markov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardonk pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Markov back to the cage. Hardonk follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hardonk lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hardonk misses with the combination.
Hardonk throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Markov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Markov gets to his feet. Hardonk looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Hardonk darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Markov throws a combination. Hardonk tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hardonk throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hardonk displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Hardonk gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Markov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Markov trying to control but Hardonk is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hardonk is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Markov trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardonk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hardonk not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hardonk stalks Markov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Markov's face. Markov staggers backwards, shaken.

Hardonk drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hardonk wants to stand but Markov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hardonk trying to control the position from guard on top but Markov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hardonk avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hardonk trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Alex Markov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Markov has a closed guard, preventing Hardonk from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antoni Hardonk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hardonk winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antoni Hardonk!