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). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Jones
vs
Markakis

200 cm
25
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
25
213 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jon Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dennis Markakis!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markakis fails with the takedown.
Markakis takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Markakis circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jones looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Markakis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jones tries to clinch up.

Markakis closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Jones's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Markakis with a flurry of punches that miss.
Markakis wants to pass the guard but Jones is keeping the position.
Jones looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Markakis from controlling successfully.
Jones being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dennis Markakis was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Markakis with a lazy takedown attempt
and Jones counters with a series of strikes. Markakis will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jon Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dennis Markakis.

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

Markakis breaks from the clinch.

Markakis has closed the distance and engaged Jones in a clinch.
Jones misses with an elbow over the top.
Jones pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markakis goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jones prevents it.
Markakis managing to block the knees to the body from Jones.

Jones jumps guard and drags Markakis to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Markakis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Markakis trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Jones wants to stand up but Markakis is controlling him.
Markakis would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Dennis Markakis hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Markakis tries a head kick but it misses.
Jones keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Markakis clinches.
Markakis prevents the takedown attempt.

Jones pulls Markakis into guard.
Jones is pulling down on Markakis's head. It's preventing any offense from Markakis, at least for the moment.
Jones working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Markakis.
Jones is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markakis controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Jones tries to keep at a distance but Markakis has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jones landing knees to the head.
Jones keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Markakis's efforts to push away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Markakis is trying to push Jones away but Jones has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jones is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Markakis to keep the fight standing.
Jones missing with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jones fails with an attempt to clinch.
Markakis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Markakis closes the distance and clinches.
Markakis lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jones backwards.
Markakis is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Markakis blocks a body shot from Jones.

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

Markakis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jones gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Markakis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jones gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Markakis is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markakis looking for a sweep. Not yet Markakis, not yet.
Jones controlling from the top position.
Markakis wants to stand up but Jones is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to control but Markakis is working from the bottom.

Jon Jones has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Markakis clinches.
Knees to the body from Jones.
Markakis tries to pull guard but Jones forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Markakis is trying to pull guard but Jones has him pressed 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.
Markakis has had enough of the clinch but Jones keeps him there for the moment.

Jones jumps into guard, dragging Markakis to the mat.
Jones is looking to stand up but Markakis isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones keeping full guard, as Markakis tries to pass.
Jones is looking to stand up but Markakis isn't so interested in that idea.

Jones uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Jones checks a leg kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Markakis throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Jones was covering up waiting for the punch and Markakis finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Markakis throwing strikes but missing.

Jones is working an open guard so Markakis takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jones has taken the fight to the clinch.
Markakis is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jones pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Markakis has Jones pushed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Markakis 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!

Markakis drives through with a takedown into Jones's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Markakis trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.

Markakis drops back, looking for a kneebar! Jones looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Jones looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Jones!
Markakis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Markakis is not content to let Jones control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markakis can't do much from the bottom here.
Markakis sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Jones works his way into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones looking to control but Markakis is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Markakis is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Markakis is wriggling around trying to escape.
Markakis wants to hold on but Jones pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones wants to control the pace but Markakis is squirming around nicely.
Markakis tries to lock up and control but Jones gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Markakis tries to reverse the position but Jones maintains control.
Markakis manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Markakis is trying to control but Jones manages to pass to mount!
Jon Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jones working the ground and pound effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Markakis that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Dennis Markakis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jones looking to control but Markakis is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Markakis wants to hold on but Jones pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dennis Markakis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Markakis 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dennis Markakis!