PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Markovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sadam Ahmadaliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Markovic
vs
Ahmadaliev

178 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Markovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sadam Ahmadaliev!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ahmadaliev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ahmadaliev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Markovic pinned against the cage. Markovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ahmadaliev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Markovic counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Alexey Markovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sadam Ahmadaliev.
It looks like Markovic is going to stand back up.

Ahmadaliev actively working from the bottom here.

Ahmadaliev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Markovic pulls his head out easily.
Ahmadaliev is looking to improve his position.
Still in half guard, Markovic seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahmadaliev holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Ahmadaliev wants to get back to full guard.
Markovic throws a strike but Ahmadaliev avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Markovic is in close to Ahmadaliev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Markovic postures up in Ahmadaliev's guard and throws a big left but Ahmadaliev blocks it.
Ahmadaliev keeping full guard, as Markovic tries to pass.
Markovic wants to stand but Ahmadaliev is controlling his posture from full guard.
Markovic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ahmadaliev looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Markovic passes into half guard.
Markovic is thwarting Ahmadaliev's attempts to control the position.
Ahmadaliev is pressing down on Markovic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ahmadaliev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Markovic connects with a couple of short punches.

Ahmadaliev has his foot on Markovic's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Markovic works his way back into a safe position though.
Markovic has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahmadaliev wants to control but Markovic passes easily into half guard.
Ahmadaliev wants to get back to full guard.
Ahmadaliev moves into full guard.
Markovic tries to free his leg and advance position but Ahmadaliev is retaining full guard.
Markovic is working Ahmadaliev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ahmadaliev is trying to keep Markovic in close.
Markovic looking to sit in guard and control but Ahmadaliev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Ahmadaliev tries to free his leg and advance position but Markovic is retaining full guard.
Ahmadaliev trying to control the position from guard on top but Markovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ahmadaliev slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Markovic is breathing heavily.
Markovic is throwing a few token shots, despite Ahmadaliev being in side control.
Markovic wants to control but Ahmadaliev postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ahmadaliev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Markovic keeps working.

Ahmadaliev tries for a kimura but Markovic is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sadam Ahmadaliev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Markovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ahmadaliev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Markovic dives in and scores a takedown into Ahmadaliev's guard.
Ahmadaliev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Ahmadaliev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ahmadaliev keeping moving, preventing Markovic from controlling successfully.
Ahmadaliev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahmadaliev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Ahmadaliev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Markovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Markovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Markovic connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ahmadaliev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Markovic defends it easily.
Ahmadaliev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markovic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ahmadaliev wants to control the position but Markovic says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ahmadaliev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Markovic lands strikes from half guard.

Ahmadaliev actively working from the bottom here.

Ahmadaliev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Markovic pulls his head out easily.
Ahmadaliev is breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ahmadaliev is trying to maintain the position but Markovic is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Markovic lands a nice short elbow.
Markovic wants to control but Ahmadaliev is keeping him busy.
Markovic prevents Ahmadaliev from improving his position.
Ahmadaliev is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Markovic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Markovic's back!
Markovic rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Ahmadaliev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Markovic keeps working.
Sadam Ahmadaliev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Markovic missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ahmadaliev is trying to work for a kimura but Markovic is defending well.
Ahmadaliev trying to control the action but Markovic is working from the bottom.

Ahmadaliev seems to be looking for submissions.
Markovic moves into full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ahmadaliev forces his way into half guard.

Ahmadaliev seems to be working for a kimura but Markovic defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sadam Ahmadaliev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ahmadaliev shoots for a takedown but Markovic saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Markovic bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Markovic landing strikes.
Ahmadaliev is looking to reverse the position.
Ahmadaliev is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Markovic's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Markovic throwing shots but Ahmadaliev is blocking nicely.
Markovic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ahmadaliev is trying to maintain the position but Markovic is very close to passing his half guard.
Markovic moves nicely into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahmadaliev is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Markovic off and has taken his back!

Ahmadaliev is looking for the choke from the back position but Markovic is controlling his hands well.
Markovic trying to control the hands but Ahmadaliev won't let him.

Ahmadaliev patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markovic just trying to survive but Ahmadaliev is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Ahmadaliev has the hooks in. Markovic is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Ahmadaliev sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Markovic taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Sadam Ahmadaliev!
Sadam Ahmadaliev thanked the fans post fight for their support.