PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Incheol Wonha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zoran Markovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Wonha
vs
Markovic

161 cm
27
142 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

168 cm
27
139 lbs
9 - 2 - 2

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Incheol Wonha!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Zoran Markovic!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Saam Ante and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wonha takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A slow jab from Markovic misses its intended target.

Wonha moves into the clinch.
Wonha lands with a left to the head.
Wonha lands a nice elbow.
Wonha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Markovic.
Wonha with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wonha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Markovic.
Markovic misses with the head strike.
Markovic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wonha lands an elbow inside that Markovic shrugs off.
Markovic wants to stall.
Markovic lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Markovic avoiding damage as Wonha throws knees to the body.
Markovic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Markovic working aggressively here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Markovic pushes Wonha back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wonha.
Markovic makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Wonha.
Wonha looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Wonha lands a nice elbow.
Wonha lands an elbow inside that Markovic shrugs off.
Wonha utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Markovic throws a head punch that misses.
Wonha misses with an elbow over the top.
Wonha blocks an uppercut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wonha just misses with a elbow thrown towards Markovic's brow.
Markovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wonha blocking some punches.
Wonha looking to throw knees to the head but Markovic is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wonha misses with an elbow strike.
Markovic has a couple of punches blocked by Wonha.
Wonha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Markovic is defending well for now.
Markovic throws a head punch that misses.
Wonha with an attempt at a knee that misses.
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!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wonha just misses with a elbow thrown towards Markovic's brow.
Wonha landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Markovic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Wonha backwards.
Markovic blocks an elbow strike.
Wonha's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Wonha misses with a knee strike.
Markovic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Markovic managing to block the knees to the body from Wonha.
Markovic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Our sources have told us that Wonha has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Wonha blocks a body shot from Markovic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wonha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Markovic avoids it.
Markovic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Markovic lands a right hand that snaps the head of Wonha backwards.
Markovic swings wildly with an uppercut but Wonha uses good head movement to avoid it.
Markovic blocks an elbow strike.
Markovic avoiding damage as Wonha throws knees to the body.
Wonha misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Wonha misses with a punch to the body.
Markovic stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Markovic leaning against his opponent.
Wonha lands with a light punch inside.
Wonha crunches a lovely knee into Markovic's ribcage.
Wonha lands an elbow inside that Markovic shrugs off.
Wonha lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wonha trying to land knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Wonha throws an elbow but misses.
Markovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Wonha controls his hands.
Wonha scores a nice knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markovic lands with a left to the head.
Wonha blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Markovic scores with a shot to the side of Wonha's head.
Markovic tries to work over Wonha's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wonha with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wonha blocks an uppercut.
Wonha tries a body shot but Markovic blocks it.
Wonha misses with an elbow over the top.
Wonha lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Markovic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A hook to the body from Markovic.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Incheol Wonha dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Markovic needs to keep his hands up - Wonha had a free shot at his head there.
Markovic connects with a jab.
Markovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Wonha is just out of range.

Wonha clinches.
Wonha lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Markovic scores with a nice short uppercut.
Wonha blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Markovic.
Markovic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Markovic in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Markovic misses with the head strike.
Markovic blocks an elbow strike from Wonha.
Incheol Wonha has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Markovic.
Wonha struggles to land a body shot inside as Markovic controls his hands.
Markovic managing to block the knees to the body from Wonha.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wonha with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Markovic dodges an elbow strike from Wonha.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Markovic.
Wonha misses with a punch on the inside.
Markovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Wonha lands an elbow that stopped Markovic in his tracks for a moment.
Wonha putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Markovic in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Wonha misses with a knee to the head.
Markovic misses with a body punch.
Markovic makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Markovic.
Wonha lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wonha tries to land knees in the clinch but Markovic avoids the damage to the body.
Markovic misses with a punch on the inside.
Wonha tries to work over Markovic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wonha using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Markovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wonha blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wonha pushes off an throws an elbow but Markovic leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Markovic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Wonha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Markovic.
Wonha with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wonha makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Wonha missing with knees to the body.
Markovic lands an uppercut.
Markovic managing to block the knees to the body from Wonha.
A body shot lands from Markovic.
Wonha misses with an elbow over the top.
Wonha with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wonha throws an elbow but it misses.
Wonha with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wonha pushes off an throws an elbow but Markovic leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Markovic working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wonha throws an elbow that misses.
Markovic takes a knee right on the jaw!
Markovic lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Markovic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wonha.
Markovic lands a left hand.
Wonha makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Wonha scores with a knee to the head.
A right hand to the body from Markovic.
Wonha pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Wonha pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Markovic avoids the elbow strike from Wonha, against the cage.
Wonha lands a nice elbow.
Wonha tries a body shot but Markovic blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic working aggressively here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wonha lands a damaging elbow.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Wonha misses with some punches.
Wonha blocking some punches.
Markovic blocks an elbow strike from Wonha.
Wonha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Markovic avoids it.
Wonha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Markovic.
Wonha blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Wonha as Markovic tries to tie him up.
Markovic blocks an elbow strike.
Markovic softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Incheol Wonha dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Wonha moves away from the strike by Markovic.
As Markovic tries to get set, Wonha tries to push him back and clinch up but Markovic manages to avoid the attempt.
Markovic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice uppercut there from Markovic.
Wonha uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Markovic.
Markovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wonha lands a nice shot to the body.
A good leg kick by Markovic.
Markovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Wonha is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Markovic.
A jab from Wonha does it's job there.
Markovic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wonha.
Markovic now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Wonha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Markovic can do to turn this around?
That kick from Markovic tenderised Wonha's leg. Wonha is trying to keep his angry face on.
Markovic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wonha is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Markovic now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Wonha.
Markovic throws a leg kick but Wonha checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic throws a low kick but Wonha moves out of range easily.
Wonha fails with an attempt to clinch.
Markovic cracks Wonha with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Markovic connects with a jab.
Wonha bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Markovic tries to land a leg kick but Wonha saw it coming and moves away.
Nice defenses there by Markovic.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Markovic.
Zoran Markovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Markovic throws a body shot but no joy.
Wonha throws a poor cross that misses
and Markovic counters with a body kick that stops Wonha in his tracks momentarily.
Markovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Markovic punishes Wonha's body with a nice straight punch.
Markovic misses with a low kick.
A big left from Wonha misses.
Markovic throws a series of punches but Wonha avoids them all with ease.
A thudding body kick lands there by Markovic!
Wonha misses with a hook.
Zoran Markovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wonha is looking to clinch but Markovic is avoiding it.
Wonha throws the left hand but Markovic avoids the punch easily.
Wonha uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Markovic.
Markovic with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Markovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wonha moves away.
Markovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Wonha is just out of range.
Wonha throws a hook but Markovic blocks it.
Wonha slips under a jab.
Markovic lands a right hook to the body.
Markovic is looking to land body kicks.
A shot to the liver by Markovic. Beautiful body shot.
Wonha gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Markovic explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Wonha checks a leg kick.
Markovic lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markovic looks to land a right hand but Wonha moved out of range.
Markovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wonha.
Wonha takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Wonha avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wonha moves out of range of the strikes.
Markovic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wonha tries to close the distance and clinch up but Markovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Wonha gets a clinch.
Wonha lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Markovic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Wonha throws an elbow but misses.
Markovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Markovic.
Wonha blocking some punches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Wonha throws an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic throws a punch but it's blocked by Wonha.
Markovic works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Wonha blocks an uppercut.
Wonha using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Markovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wonha lands a damaging elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Markovic creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Wonha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Markovic.
Wonha pushes off an throws an elbow but Markovic leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Markovic lands a hook that snaps the head of Wonha backwards.
Wonha throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Wonha.
Wonha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Markovic avoids it.
Markovic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Markovic is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zoran Markovic really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Markovic avoids the body shot from Wonha.
Markovic lands with an uppercut that bounces Wonha off the cage and back into range.
Wonha takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Wonha is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Wonha has Markovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Wonha tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wonha throws an elbow that misses.
Markovic misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wonha.
Wonha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Markovic avoids it.
Wonha creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wonha tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wonha blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wonha throws an elbow but it's blocked.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wonha just misses with a elbow thrown towards Markovic's brow.
Markovic gets through Wonha's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Markovic - that landed with a thud.
Wonha fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wonha creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Markovic's defenses.
A hook to the body from Markovic.
Wonha blocking some punches.
Markovic dodges an elbow strike from Wonha.

Markovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wonha throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Markovic misses with a head kick.
Markovic lands a nice hook to Wonha's body. Wonha takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Wonha is just out of range.
Markovic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Markovic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Wonha doesn't seem bothered though.
Markovic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wonha tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Markovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Wonha.
Markovic throws a body shot but no joy.
Markovic throws a leg kick but Wonha sees it coming and moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wonha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice straight punches there by Markovic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Markovic.
Markovic looks to land a left hand but Wonha moved out of range nicely.
Wonha lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Markovic moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wonha tries to clinch but Markovic moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wonha uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Markovic.
Wonha getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Wonha keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Markovic moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Wonha scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Wonha throws a body punch but Markovic moves out of range.
Wonha misses the shot to the body.
Wonha avoids a kick to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for Markovic.
Markovic lands a slapping body shot.
Good shot there by Markovic.
Markovic throws a leg kick but Wonha sees it coming and moves out of range.
Wonha wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A slow jab from Markovic misses its intended target.
Markovic connects with the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A good leg kick by Markovic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic scoring well with a low kick there.
Markovic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Wonha sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Markovic scores with a jab.
Wonha throws a leg kick but Markovic sees it coming and moves out of range.
Wonha throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wonha feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Markovics jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Wonha closes the distance and pushes Markovic back into the cage.
Wonha blocking some punches.
Markovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Wonha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Markovic avoids it.
Markovic misses with the head strike.
Wonha tries to land knees in the clinch but Markovic avoids the damage to the body.
Wonha throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Markovic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wonha lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zoran Markovic dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Markovic's corner calls for a 1-2. Markovic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A swing and a miss from Markovic.
Wonha seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Markovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
A swing and a miss from Markovic.
Markovic's corner calls for a 1-2. Markovic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Markovic misses with a body shot.
Wonha takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Good exchange - Markovic coming out on top.
Wonha looks to land a left hand but Markovic moved out of range nicely.
Wonha throws a big shot that misses.
Markovic scores with a nice strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wonha misses with a body shot.
Markovic swings for the body but Wonha moves out of range.
Markovic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Markovic misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Wonha.
Wonha tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Markovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Wonha.
Wonha connects with a leg kick. Markovic looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Wonha jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wonha slips a jab from Markovic.
Markovic throws out a loose jab but Wonha uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wonha sizes up Markovic with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Markovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Markovic looks to land a left hand but Wonha moved out of range nicely.
Markovic misses with a leg kick

and Wonha counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wonha blocking some punches.
Wonha unloads a knee to the mid-section. Markovic lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wonha misses with an elbow strike.
Markovic managing to block the knees to the body from Wonha.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wonha tries a body shot but Markovic blocks it.
A short left from Markovic.
Wonha unloads a knee to the mid-section. Markovic lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Markovic avoids the elbow strike from Wonha, against the cage.
Wonha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Markovic.
Markovic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Markovic scores with a nice hook to the head.
Markovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wonha's elbow.
Wonha blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Markovic blocks an elbow strike from Wonha.
Wonha is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Wonha throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wonha prevents a body shot from Markovic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wonha letting Markovic take a breather here.
Wonha creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Markovic avoids a wild elbow strike from Wonha.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wonha.
Markovic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Wonha backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Markovic fails to land.
Markovic has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A head punch on the inside from Markovic fails to land.
Wonha creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Markovic's defenses.
Wonha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Markovic is defending well for now.
A right handed body shot lands from Markovic.
Markovic takes an elbow to the temple.
Wonha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Markovic avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wonha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Markovic avoids it.
Markovic misses with some punches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Wonha throws an elbow but misses.
Markovic blocks the elbow strike.
Wonha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Markovic is defending well for now.
Markovic misses with the head strike.
Markovic throws a head punch that misses.
Markovic is leaning against Wonha and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Markovic blocks the elbow strike.
Markovic dodges an elbow strike from Wonha.
Wonha pushes off an throws an elbow but Markovic leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wonha creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Markovic is pushing Wonha up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Wonha looks to throw an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zoran Markovic.
I think Markovic has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 48:48
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Zoran Markovic! Zoran Markovic retains his bantamweight title!
After the big win, Zoran Markovic made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Perkele! and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.