PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rory Markman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cecil Peoples (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rory Markman has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Markman
vs
Peoples

178 cm
26
186 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

180 cm
24
180 lbs
5 - 0 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rory Markman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cecil Peoples!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Reed Andrews and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markman shoots in for a takedown but Peoples shows good takedown defense.
Peoples lands a body shot.
Peoples keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Markman checks a leg kick nicely.
Peoples fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Markman fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rory Markman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Peoples is looking to slow Markman down with leg kicks.
Peoples thuds his shin into the meat of Markman's side.
Peoples misses with an uppercut. Markman saw that one coming.
Peoples misses with a head kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Peoples.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markman shoots in but Peoples avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Peoples looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Peoples keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Peoples misses with an uppercut. Markman saw that one coming.
Markman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Peoples tries to work over Markman's front leg with a kick but Markman checks it.
Markman shoots in but no luck this time.
Markman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Markman's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Peoples connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Markman scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Markman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Peoples utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Markman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Markman trying to control the position from guard on top but Peoples is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Peoples is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Markman defends well.
Markman trying to control the position from guard on top but Peoples is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Peoples looking to hit a scissor sweep but Markman is one step ahead there.
Markman trying to control but Peoples is working from the bottom.
Markman postures up and lands a big shot to Peoples's brow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markman content to stall in guard here.
Markman trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Peoples working for a triangle but Markman defends it easily.
Peoples looking to control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Markman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Markman throwing strikes from guard but Peoples blocks nicely.
Peoples 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.
Peoples has Markman pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Peoples's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Markman has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Peoples is trying to control the position but Markman postures up.
Markman trying to control the position from guard on top but Peoples is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Peoples looking for a sweep. Not yet Peoples, not yet.
Markman lands a couple of elbows.
Markman looking to pass the guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markman content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Peoples lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Markman!
Peoples fails to move to back control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cecil Peoples will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Peoples throws a push kick but Markman slaps the foot to one side.
Peoples pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Peoples tried to score with a low kick but Markman checks it.
A swing and a miss from Markman.
Markman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Peoples missing with a left hand there. Markman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Markman shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Peoples counters with a slapping leg kick.
Peoples connects with a high kick.

It looks like Rory Markman has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markman checks the leg kick nicely there.
Markman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Markman shoots in but Peoples avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rory Markman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Markman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Peoples misses with a leg kick

and Markman counters with a single leg into guard. Peoples didn't expect that.

Peoples is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Markman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Markman looking to sit in guard and control but Peoples gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Markman has his foot on Peoples's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Peoples works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markman is adopting a defensive guard.
Markman keeping moving, preventing Peoples from controlling successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Markman is trying to control the position but Peoples postures up.
Peoples pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Markman is keeping the position for now.

Markman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Peoples wants to pass the guard but Markman is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peoples won't allow Markman to sweep him here.
Peoples seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Markman closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Markman has a takedown stuffed.
Nice body kick there by Peoples.
Cecil Peoples seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Peoples throws a head kick but Markman moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Peoples. Markman shrugs it off though.
Peoples throws a half hearted mid kick.
Peoples throws a head kick but Markman moves out of range.
Peoples displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Markman.
A head kick from Peoples lands but Markman takes it in his stride.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markman tries for a takedown but Peoples sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A cross from Peoples lands.
Peoples throws a low kick, looking for Markman's leg but Markman calmly moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cecil Peoples showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rory Markman's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Markman fails with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Markman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Markman staying out of range there.
Markman fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rory Markman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Peoples throws a front kick aimed at Markman's knee but Markman avoids it well.
Peoples keeps Markman at a distance using the push kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Peoples. That snapped Markman's head back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Peoples fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Markman has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peoples throws a head kick but Markman moves out of range.
Peoples misses with a low kick as Markman jumps back.
Markman closes the distance and clinches up with Peoples, looking for a takedown. Markman pushes Peoples against the cage but Peoples circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Markman looks for a takedown but Peoples sprawls well.
Markman ducks under a wild hook from Peoples.
Peoples misses with a head kick.
Peoples jabs Markman to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Peoples buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Peoples scores with a punch to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markman moves forwards but Peoples connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Peoples lands with a thumping leg kick.
Peoples misses with a low kick.
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!
Peoples lets loose with a powerful body kick. Markman will feel that in the morning.
Markman looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Markman has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Peoples.
Peoples thuds his right hand into Markman's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Markman is rocked!
Markman tries for a takedown but Peoples sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Peoples fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Markman.
A chopping leg kick lands by Peoples.
Cecil Peoples is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markman gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Peoples.
Oh Markman is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Markman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Peoples circles away.
Markman steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Peoples. That one must have hurt.
Peoples lands a leg kick that knocks Markman off balance momentarily.
BOOM! Peoples lands a beautiful left hook that drops Markman. Markman tries to recover but Peoples is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Markman lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cecil Peoples!
A victorious Cecil Peoples thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.