PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Antoni Hong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zoran Markovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Markovic has chosen Jimmy Cornett - Rollin 81 as his entrance music. 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?

Hong
vs
Markovic

178 cm
33
144 lbs
19 - 15 - 0

168 cm
35
139 lbs
24 - 10 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Antoni Hong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 3, fighting out of Helsinki, Zoran Markovic!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markovic misses with a body shot.
Hong scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Markovic lands a front kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Markovic.
Markovic lands a front kick.
A shot to the liver by Markovic. Beautiful body shot.
A lazy body kick from Markovic
and Hong counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Markovic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hong.
Markovic fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hong on the side of the head.
Markovic misses with a looping right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markovic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hong.
Markovic throws a wild body kick that Hong sees coming a mile off.

Hong closes the distance and clinches.
Hong stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hong is trying to stall.
Markovic lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've been informed that Markovic has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Markovic keeps control of Hong as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nice body punch from Markovic - that landed with a thud.
Markovic working aggressively here.
Markovic cracks Hong with a nice body shot.
Hong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hong throws a head punch that misses.
Markovic's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Markovic lands a hook to the side of the head.
Markovic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Markovic throws a head punch that misses.
Markovic blocks a body shot from Hong.
Markovic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hong backwards.
Markovic misses with some punches.
Hong presses Markovic against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Hong.
Hong softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Markovic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hong lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hong working aggressively here.
Hong lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Markovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hong slowing the pace effectively.
Markovic lands a right hand.
Hong fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hong tries a body shot but Markovic blocks it.
Hong misses with a punch on the inside.
Hong is leaning against Markovic and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Markovic.
Hong looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hong connects with a single shot there.
Zoran Markovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hong on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Good standup being displayed there by Hong as he connects with a hook.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hong checks a leg kick.
Hong throws a quick counter kick to the body but Markovic avoids it.
Markovic throws a leg kick but Hong sees it coming and moves out of range.
Markovic misses with a body kick.
Hong keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Markovic.
It looked like Hong was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Markovic.
Hong shoots in looking for a takedown. Markovic tries to sprawl out of it but Hong keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Markovic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A swing and a miss from Markovic.
Markovic misses with a body kick.
Hong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markovic.
Hong throws a low kick, looking for Markovic's leg but Markovic calmly moves out of range.
Markovic walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic throws a quick inside leg kick.
Markovic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Markovic looks for the body kick but Hong saw that one coming.
Hong works the jab nicely.
Markovic throws a leg kick but Hong moved away.
Hong drops down looking for a counter takedown but Markovic sprawls and moves away.
Hong chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Markovic can pounce on him.
Hong misses with a straight left.
Hong tried to score with a low kick but Markovic checks it.
Markovic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hong misses with a hook. Markovic ducked under it nicely.
Markovic jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hong looks to land a body kick but Markovic moved away.
Markovic looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Markovic lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fighters circling - Hong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Markovic tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hong on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A cross from Markovic lands.
Markovic fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hong has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
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 stuffs the takedown attempt from Hong. Hong gets slowly back to his feet.
A slapping body kick lands there for Markovic.
Hong staying out of range there.
Markovic misses with a body kick.
Hong tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markovic throws an off balance right hand
and Hong counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Markovic misses with a body shot.
Hong takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hong takes a swing at Markovic's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Markovic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hong gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Markovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Markovic is looking to land body kicks.
Markovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hong.
Markovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hong takes one on the button.
Zoran Markovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markovic feints and then cracks Hong's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hong down.
Markovic misses with a body shot
and Hong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A low kick from Markovic is predictable there
and Hong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Markovic. Hong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hong tried to counter with a leg kick but Markovic avoided it.
Markovic thows a leg kick but Hong checks it
and Hong counters with a stiff right hand.
Markovic tries to score with a low kick but Hong moves his leg out of the way.
Markovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hong thuds his right hand into Markovic's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hong is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Markovic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hong counters with a nice low kick that buckles Markovic's knee momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good shot there by Markovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markovic throws a wild body kick that Hong sees coming a mile off.
Markovic throws a looping overhand right but Hong ducks down to avoid it.
Hong throws a solid leg kick but Markovic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hong.

Hong closes the distance and clinches.
Hong lands a nice uppercut.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Markovic lands with a short punch from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Markovic.
Hong throws a punch but it's blocked by Markovic.
Markovic tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hong misses with a punch to the body.
Hong misses with the head strike.
Markovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Markovic.
Hong is leaning against Markovic and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Markovic tries to work over Hong's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong throws a head punch that misses.
Hong tries a body shot but Markovic blocks it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hong creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hong misses with some punches.
Markovic prevents a body shot from Hong.
Hong blocking some punches.
Markovic throws a head punch that misses.
Markovic throws a punch but it's blocked by Hong.
Markovic is looking to control Hong's arms but Hong gets an underhook and turns him. Now Markovic has his back to the cage.
Markovic tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hong has a couple of punches blocked by Markovic.

Markovic breaks from the clinch.
Hong cracks Markovic with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Markovic will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zoran Markovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Markovic lands a glancing blow to the side of Hong's head.
Hong misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic checks a leg kick nicely.
Markovic looks for the body kick but Hong saw that one coming.
Hong misses with a left hand
and Markovic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Markovic throws a hook but Hong blocks it.
Hong throws a big shot that misses.
Markovic avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
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!
Markovic misses with a hook. Hong ducked under it nicely.
Hong misses the shot to the body.
Markovic delivers a nice body kick.
Markovic does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Markovic punishes Hong's body with a nice straight punch.
Hong takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hong tries for a takedown but Markovic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Markovic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hong counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Markovic scoring well with a low kick there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zoran Markovic 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! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hong misses the shot to the body.
Markovic swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A left lands for Markovic.
Hong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Markovic.
Hong moves out of range of the leg kick from Markovic.
It looked like Hong wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hong throws a head kick that misses.
Hong chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Markovic can pounce on him.
Markovic works the jab nicely.
Markovic walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Markovic misses with a kick to the body.
Markovic lands the left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hong misses the jab.
Markovic misses with a kick to the body.
Markovic lands with a nice body kick.
Hong misses with a hook
and Markovic counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hong takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markovic slips under a jab from Hong.
Markovic throws a nice inside leg kick.
Markovic throws a lazy uppercut
and Markovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Markovic throws out a loose jab but Hong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hong scores with the left hand. Markovic knows he should have avoided that one.
Hong takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Markovic throws a push kick but Hong slaps the foot to one side.
Hong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Markovic throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Hong motions for Markovic to come forward. Hong throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Markovic lands a leg kick that knocks Hong off balance momentarily.
Hong throws a nice inside leg kick.
Markovic lands with an uppercut that bounces Hong off the cage and back into range.
Markovic tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hong ducks under a wild hook from Markovic.
Hong is looking for a counter combo.
Antoni Hong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Markovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Hong is just out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slow jab from Hong misses its intended target.
Hong misses the jab.
Hong checks the leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Markovic blocks the low kick.
Markovic misses with a leg kick
and Hong counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hong takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hong takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hong is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Markovic is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hong jabs at Markovic's body.
Markovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Markovic throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hong stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Markovic throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markovic throws a right hand that misses
enabling Hong to counter with a crisp jab.
Hong throws a nice looking combination but Markovic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Markovic cracks Hong with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hong moves out of range of the strikes.
Hong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Markovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Hong.
A looping hook to the body misses from Markovic. Hong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Markovic lands a jab.
Hong ducks right into an uppercut from Markovic.
Markovic throws a body shot but no joy.
Hong walks into a straight right hand from Markovic.
Markovic lands with a nice body punch.
Markovic thows a leg kick but Hong checks it
and Hong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Markovic gets tackled into the cage by Hong. Hong maintains the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markovic swings wildly with an uppercut but Hong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Markovic - that landed with a thud.
Markovic has a couple of punches blocked by Hong.
A body shot lands from Hong.
Hong lands with a left to the head.
Hong swings wildly with an uppercut but Markovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hong softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Markovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hong has a couple of punches blocked by Markovic.
Markovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoran Markovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Markovic working aggressively here.
Hong can't find room to land a body shot as Markovic controls the action.
Hong makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zoran Markovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Markovic 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zoran Markovic!
Zoran Markovic thanked the fans post fight for their support.