PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dennis Markakis (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.

Jones
vs
Markakis

200 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
213 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jon Jones!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dennis Markakis!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markakis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Markakis leaves Jones with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Jones throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Markakis was covering up waiting for the punch and Jones finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Markakis is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Markakis controlling the pace.
Markakis lands strikes from half guard.

Markakis is working for a submission of some sort.
Jones wants to get back to full guard but Markakis has mounted him!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markakis avoids the attempt from Jones to control.
Markakis putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Jones is looking to get to half guard.
Jones reaches up and holds on to Markakis to control the position.
Markakis putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Markakis goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Jones is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Markakis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markakis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jones wants to control from the top but Markakis keeps moving.

Markakis has his foot on Jones's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jones works his way back into a safe position though.
Markakis seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jones trying to control but Markakis is working from the bottom.

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 Jon Jones.
Markakis fails in his attempt to clinch.

Jones closes the distance and clinches.
Jones is trying to pull guard but Markakis has him pressed against the cage.
Jones tries to pull guard but Markakis forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Markakis gets control of Jones's arms and successfully pulls guard. Markakis will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Jones wants to control from the top but Markakis keeps moving.
Markakis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jones is one step ahead there.
Jones tries to free his leg and advance position but Markakis is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Markakis has his feet on Jones's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Markakis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Markakis has taken the fight to the clinch.
Markakis has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Jones after a bit of a struggle.
Markakis tries to pull guard but Jones holds him up against the cage and eventually Markakis drops back down to his feet.
Markakis looks gassed!
Markakis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Markakis letting Jones take a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Markakis dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nice takedown defense from Jones. No joy for Markakis on that attempt.
Markakis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Markakis circles away from the clinch attempt.

Markakis closes the distance and clinches.
Markakis tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jones just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jon Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dennis Markakis.
Jones has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Markakis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jones managing to block the knees to the body from Markakis.

Jones pulls guard effortlessly.
Jones wants to sweep but no luck.
Jones is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Markakis is looking to stand up but Jones won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markakis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jones swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dennis Markakis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Markakis is breathing heavily.

Jones has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Markakis can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jones controls Markakis momentarily but Markakis frees himself.
Jones can't keep his opponent in guard - Markakis advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Jones looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markakis with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Markakis is trying to control. Jones wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Markakis is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Jones is trying to control but can't.
Jones tries to get to full guard but Markakis has control of the leg.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Markakis is looking to take a break and control but Jones is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dennis Markakis was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Jones scores with a jab to the jaw.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Markakis.

Jones clinches with his opponent.
Jones working hard to break the clinch.
Jones can't find room to land a body shot as Markakis controls the action.
Markakis is trying to maintain a safe position but Jones gets an underhook and turns Markakis into the cage.
Markakis is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jones to keep the fight standing.
Markakis is trying to pull guard but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Jones is trying to pull guard but Markakis has him pressed against the cage.
Jones keeps control of Markakis as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Jones gets control of Markakis's arms and successfully pulls guard. Jones will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markakis trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Markakis won't allow Jones to sweep him here.
Markakis content to stall in guard here.
Jones bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Markakis's guard.
Markakis keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jon Jones will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jones with a lazy takedown attempt
and Markakis counters with a left to the body.
Jones displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Markakis.
Markakis stuffs the takedown attempt from Jones. Jones gets slowly back to his feet.
A clash of legs there as Markakis blocks the low kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jones.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Jones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones avoids a kick to the body.
Markakis shoots for a takedown but Jones saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Jones looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Markakis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jones accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markakis keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Markakis has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Jones wants to control from the top but Markakis keeps moving.
Markakis has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jon Jones.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Markakis circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Markakis fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jones, pushing him back against the cage.

Jones lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Jones throwing shots but Markakis is blocking nicely.
Markakis is looking to improve his position.
Jones wants to stand up but Markakis is controlling the position.
Jones looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Jones trying to control from Markakis's half guard. Markakis has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Markakis has a closed guard, preventing Jones from standing up.

Jones gets to his feet - Markakis follows without any prompting.
Markakis misses with a takedown
and Jones counters with a left and a right that stings Markakis.
Markakis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Markakis shoots in for a takedown but Jones shows good takedown defense.
Markakis throws a hook but Jones avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Jones. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Jones.
Jones changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Markakis tries to avoid it but Jones manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Markakis to the ground. Markakis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Markakis shoots in looking for a takedown. Jones tries to sprawl out of it but Markakis keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jones manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Markakis tries to clinch there but Jones circles away.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up but Markakis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jones fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Markakis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jones.
No luck for Jones with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Jones clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Markakis dives in and scores a takedown into Jones's guard.
Markakis prevents Jones from getting back to his feet.
Jones thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Markakis passes Jones's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Jones manages to get to full guard.
Markakis wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Jones not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markakis wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Jones manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Markakis manages to get himself to full guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Jones advances to half guard.
Markakis throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Markakis manages to get to full guard.
Jones wanted to stand there but Markakis had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Markakis pushes Jones off and scrambles back to his feet.
Jones shoots in and drives through. Markakis sprawls well.
Markakis shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Jones sprawls well. Jones wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Markakis gets slowly back to his feet.
Jones shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Markakis pinned against the cage. Markakis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Markakis misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jones dives in and scores a takedown into Markakis's guard.
Jones stays in close to Markakis's body and controls the position.
Markakis working a defensive guard here.
Jones controls from within his opponent's guard.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Markakis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Jon Jones wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Markakis tries for a takedown but Jones sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Markakis circles away.
Jones throws a head kick but Markakis moves out of range.

Jones shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Jones postures up.
Jones would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Markakis pulls Jones in close to prevent any damage.
Jones looking to sit in guard and control but Markakis gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Jones had his way with Dennis Markakis in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Jones is defended easily by Markakis.
Markakis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jones misses with a series of wild punches.

Markakis looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Jones!
Markakis lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Jones hang on?
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Jones gets back to half guard.
Markakis takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Markakis is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Jones is just riding it out for now. Markakis eventually gives up the hold.
Jones is staying active underneath Markakis, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markakis prevents Jones from standing back up.
Jones trying to control here.
Jones is staying active underneath Markakis, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Jones controlling the position well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Markakis shoots in but Jones avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jones tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Markakis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Jones, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jones throws a nice looking combination but Markakis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Markakis tries for a takedown but Jones sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Markakis is looking to clinch.
Jon Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A left lands for Jones.

Markakis gets tackled into the cage by Jones. Jones maintains the clinch.

Jones pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Markakis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jones.
Markakis throws a half hearted mid kick.

Jones looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Markakis!
The referee warns Markakis that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Markakis is looking to escape.
Markakis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Markakis wants to control but Jones is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jones trying to control but Markakis is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jon Jones.
Well Jones has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 49:46
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Jones!
Jon Jones is the new light heavyweight champion!