PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksunder Markus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Halstone (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.

Markus
vs
Halstone

188 cm
18
217 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aleksunder Markus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Halstone!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halstone tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Markus misses with the combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Markus.
Halstone misses with a few strikes there.
Markus throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Halstone counters with a series of strikes. Markus will be more careful next time no doubt.
Aleksunder Markus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markus throws a combination that misses
and Halstone counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Halstone moves in looking to clinch but Markus pushes him off.
Halstone tries to clinch up but Markus circles away and keeps his distance.
Halstone fails to land with a series of punches.
Markus misses with a combination
and Halstone counters with a nice body shot.
Markus is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Markus is trying hard to land a takedown here. Halstone sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Halstone fails in his attempt to clinch.
Markus dodges the punch combination from Halstone.
Halstone throws a series of strikes that have Markus backpedaling.

It looks like Aleksunder Markus has been cut.
Halstone is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A combination from Halstone does no damage.
Halstone tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Markus paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markus falls off balance throwing a combination

and Halstone counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Halstone.

Halstone breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Markus takes an elbow to the forehead.
Halstone landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Halstone's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Halstone gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Halstone scores with a knee to the head.
Halstone digs a right hand underneath Markus's ribcage. Markus let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Halstone breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Halstone forces Markus back against the cage and clinches.

Halstone pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Markus misses with a combination
and Halstone counters with a left to the body.

Halstone gets a clinch.
Halstone connects with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markus tries to break the clinch but Halstone is controlling the position.

Halstone escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A nice inside leg kick there by Halstone. That's going to slow Markus down.

Halstone clinches with his opponent.
Knees in the clinch landing for Halstone.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Halstone working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Halstone connects with a knee to the head.
Halstone scores with a shoulder strike.

Halstone escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Markus keeps the fight on the outside.
Halstone will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Markus misses with a double jab
and Halstone counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Donk. Halstone catches Markus right on the button with a cross.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Halstone.
Markus with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Halstone scores with a four punch combination!
James Halstone is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Markus misses with a combination
and Halstone counters with a three punch combo that has Markus backing up. Markus nods at Halstone to acknowledge the strikes.
A punch combination from Markus misses.
Markus is trying hard to land a takedown here. Halstone sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksunder Markus. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Halstone takes the fight into the clinch.
Markus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Halstone pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Halstone breaks the clinch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Markus. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Jab, jab by Markus - just one landing.

Halstone pushes Markus up against the cage in a clinch.
Markus working hard to break the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Halstone as the two fighters clinch.

Halstone pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Halstone circles away from the clinch attempt
and Halstone counters with a good low kick that Markus was not able to check.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to de liver by Halstone. Beautiful body shot.
Halstone tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Markus was well out of range. Poor timing from Halstone.
Some wild striking there from Markus.

Halstone has closed the distance and engaged Markus in a clinch.

Halstone manages to break the clinch.
Markus will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Halstone looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Markus falls off balance throwing a combination
and Halstone counters with an outside leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Markus shoots in for a takedown but Halstone shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Halstone scores with a one two! Markus had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Markus misses with a double jab
and Halstone counters with a one-two to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Halstone dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aleksunder Markus's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Halstone closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Markus falls off balance throwing a combination

and Halstone counters by clinching up.
Halstone is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Markus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Halstone just stands there and leans against the cage.
Markus tries to circle away but Halstone has him pinned against the cage.
Halstone unloads a knee to the mid-section. Markus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Halstone with a knee to the head.
Halstone lands an elbow just above Markus 's eye.
Halstone unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Halstone breaks the clinch.
Markus misses with a few strikes there.
Halstone throws a nice inside leg kick.

Halstone moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Halstone pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Halstone tries to clinch up but Markus circles away and keeps his distance.
Halstone wants to clinch up but Markus keeps it at a distance.

Markus scores with a takedown into Halstone's guard.
Halstone keeping full guard, as Markus tries to pass.
Markus stops Halstone from standing up.
Markus throwing strikes but missing.
Halstone wants to stand up but Markus is controlling him.
Markus trying to control but Halstone is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Halstone swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Halstone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Halstone uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Markus avoids a punch combination nicely.
Halstone bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Halstone thumps Markus with a low kick.
Halstone lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
James Halstone seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Markus throws a combination that misses
and Halstone counters with a left and a right that stings Markus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markus tries to clinch but Halstone moves away
and Halstone counters with a good low kick that Markus was not able to check.
Markus will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Halstone clobbers Markus with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Halstone throws the left hand but Markus avoids the punch easily.
Halstone tries to close the distance and clinch but Markus swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Halstone showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Markus.
Halstone pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Markus misses with a double jab
and Halstone connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A combination from Markus does no damage.
Markus throws a series of punches but Halstone avoids them all with ease.
Markus is trying hard to land a takedown here. Halstone sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Halstone lands a jab to Markus's midsection.
Halstone tries to close the distance and clinch but Markus swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Halstone fails in his attempt to clinch.
Markus swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Halstone counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Halstone tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Halstone gets a clinch.
Markus wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksunder Markus. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Halstone escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Halstone connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Markus lands a two punch combo.
Halstone is working the combinations to good effect here.
Halstone rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Markus moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Markus throws a big shot that misses.
Halstone sizes up Markus with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Markus keeps the fight on the outside.
Markus throws a series of punches but Halstone moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Markus is defended easily by Halstone.
Halstone fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Halstone showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Aleksunder Markus's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Halstone slips under a jab.
Halstone misses with a few strikes there.
Markus looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Halstone is fending him off so far but Markus persists. Nope, Halstone circles away and we're back to standing.

Markus bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Halstone regains half guard, as Markus was trying to land strikes.
Markus missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Markus is trying to control the action in half guard but Halstone is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Markus landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Halstone kicks off Markus and gets to his feet.

Halstone gets a clinch.
Halstone keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Markus's efforts to push away.
Halstone tries a knee to the head but Markus blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Halstone breaks the clinch.
Markus misses the jab.
Aleksunder Markus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Markus scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Halstone rushes Markus and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Halstone breaks the clinch.
Markus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Markus tries to close the distance and clinch but Halstone swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Halstone misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Markus throws a left and a right that both miss
and Halstone counters with a head kick. That will keep Markus thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Halstone tries to clinch but Markus moves out of range.
Halstone connects with a single shot there.
Halstone will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Halstone moves out of range as Markus strikes.

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.
Halstone looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Halstone instigates a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Halstone tries to land a knee to the head but Markus blocks with his arms.
Markus avoids the elbow strike from Halstone, against the cage.
Halstone keeps control of Markus as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Halstone landing knees to the head.
Markus wants to get back to striking at distance but Halstone won't allow it.
Halstone lands a nice knee to the body.

Halstone manages to break the clinch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Halstone. That's going to slow Markus down.
Markus throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Halstone counters with a left and a right that stings Markus.
A solid leg kick lands there for Halstone.
Markus closes the distance but Halstone moves to the side
and Halstone counters with a two punch combo.
Markus is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nice takedown defense from Halstone. No joy for Markus on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markus scores with a one two! Halstone had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Halstone tries to bum rush Markus with a series of wild strikes but Markus uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Markus throws a combination that misses
and Halstone counters with a series of strikes. Markus will be more careful next time no doubt.
Markus throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Halstone lands a nice leg kick that just misses Markus's sensitive parts.
Markus fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksunder Markus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Markus shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Halstone as he jumps to the side.
James Halstone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Halstone moves into the clinch.
Halstone landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Halstone is trying to force a seperation but Markus has the dominant position.
Halstone throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Markus blocks it with crossed arms.
Markus goes for a takedown attempt but Halstone pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Halstone scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Markus doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markus lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Halstone circles away quickly and effectively.

Markus tries to keep at a distance but Halstone has taken the fight into the clinch.
Markus takes a shot to the head.
Markus fails to pull guard.
Aleksunder Markus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Halstone with a knee to the head.
Halstone stalling against the cage.
Markus misses with some punches.

Halstone pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A left and a right from Markus both land. Nice combination.
Halstone feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Markus's calf.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Halstone comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Halstone 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Halstone!