PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Meatball Destroyer (ranked 1935 p4p, 235 weight class) and Jhin Markell (ranked 1843 p4p, 227 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Destroyer
vs
Markell

175 cm
27
167 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

182 cm
27
182 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Fanatic ($125)
Organic Nutrition

Pit Bull Development

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Meatball Destroyer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jhin Markell!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Ian Loll and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Destroyer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Markell.
Destroyer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Markell moves away.
A lazy left from Destroyer finds it's target.
Destroyer throws a body shot but no joy.
Markell misses with a straight right.
Destroyer swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Destroyer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Markell manages to avoid it.
Destroyer connects with a looping right hand.
Destroyer lands with a right hand.

Markell feints and as Destroyer raises his hands in defense, Markell changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Destroyer knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Markell on the ground.
Destroyer keeping moving, preventing Markell from controlling successfully.
Destroyer working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Markell.
Markell won't allow Destroyer to sweep him here.
Destroyer thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Markell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Markell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Destroyer swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markell trying to control the position from guard on top but Destroyer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markell makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Destroyer is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Destroyer has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markell won't allow Destroyer to sweep him here.
Destroyer striking off his back but it's not causing Markell any problems.

Markell is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Destroyer is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Destroyer has escaped and now he's on top!

Destroyer is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at DRAGON MMA - 12 Elite & 2 Double Elite Coaches that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Markell lands a couple of shots from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markell lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Markell trying to control but Destroyer is working from the bottom.
Destroyer controls Markell momentarily but Markell frees himself.
Markell wants to control from the top but Destroyer keeps moving.
Destroyer trying to keep a closed guard but Markell is proving a slippery customer.
Markell throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Markell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Markell postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Destroyer is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Markell, into his guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markell wants to sweep here but Destroyer controlling him for the moment.
Destroyer wants to get up but he can't break Markell's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Markell looking to hit a scissor sweep but Destroyer is one step ahead there.
Markell is adopting a defensive guard.

Markell is looking for a triangle but Destroyer pushes his legs off easily.
Markell can't keep his opponent in guard - Destroyer advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Markell tries to roll over but Destroyer keeps him under control.
Markell is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Destroyer's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Destroyer's back!
Destroyer is trying to get back to his feet but Markell has full control of the position and if anything, Destroyer has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Markell looking to soften up his opponent with punches.

Markell is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Markell controlling well, preventing Destroyer from escaping the position.
Destroyer covers up after that shot from Markell.

Markell is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Destroyer is defending well though. Markell let's go of the attempt for now.
Markell struggling to land strikes to the head as Destroyer covers up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jhin Markell dominated that 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.

Destroyer throws a big shot that misses.
Destroyer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Markell manages to avoid it.
Destroyer lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Destroyer.
A combination from Destroyer does no damage.
Markell misses with a two punch combination.
Destroyer smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A jab lands there for Destroyer.
Destroyer misses with an uppercut.
Destroyer throws a body punch but Markell moves out of range.
Markell fails to land the takedown.
Destroyer throws a body punch but Markell moves out of range.
Markell checks a leg kick.
Destroyer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Destroyer ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Destroyer misses with a low kick.
A big right from Markell misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Destroyer lands a jab to the nose.
Markell misses with a hook.
Destroyer lands a nice shot to the body.
Destroyer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Meatball Destroyer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Destroyer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Markell.
Destroyer misses with a wild combination.
Markell takes one on the button.
Markell throws a shot from downtown. Destroyer moves away and avoids it.
Destroyer scores with a shot to the body.
Destroyer lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Meatball Destroyer is winning the standup battle so far.
Markell on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Destroyer moves into range and connects with a jab.
Markell takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Markell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Destroyer.
Jhin Markell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markell throws out a loose jab but Destroyer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Markell takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Markell looks to land a right hand but Destroyer moved out of range.

Markell gets a takedown into half guard.

Destroyer kicks Markell off and gets back to his feet.
Markell doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Markell. Those never looked like landing.
Destroyer misses with a series of wild punches.
Markell feints the counter takedown.
Destroyer lands with an overhand left.
Markell on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Markell's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Destroyer connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Markell scrambles back to his feet.
Destroyer throws a jab but it's blocked by Markell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markell throws a hook but Destroyer avoids it easily.
Destroyer stuns Markell with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Destroyer stuffs the takedown.
Markell throws a hook to the side of Destroyer's head but Destroyer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Destroyer misses with a low kick.
A jab from Markell misses.
Destroyer scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Markell has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Destroyer finds it's way round the side to connect with Markell's head.
A big right from Destroyer misses.
Markell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Destroyer throws out the jab.
A punch lands to the side of Destroyer 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Markell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Destroyer.
Markell missing with a left hand there. Destroyer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A counter left hand to the body from Destroyer misses its target.
Markell might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Destroyer throws a hook but Markell avoids it easily.
Markell unleashes a big counter combination but Destroyer bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Markell takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Destroyer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Markell can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Donk. Destroyer catches Markell right on the button with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Destroyer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Markell looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A big right from Markell misses.
Destroyer tries to land a leg kick but Markell saw it coming and moves away.
Destroyer looks to land a combination but Markell avoids it well.
Destroyer misses with a hook. Markell ducked under it nicely.
Destroyer throws a lazy right hand but Markell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Destroyer throws out a loose jab but Markell uses good head movement to avoid it.

Markell drives through with a takedown into guard.
Destroyer keeping moving, preventing Markell from controlling successfully.
Destroyer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Markell wants to control from the top but Destroyer keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Destroyer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Destroyer misses with a body shot.
Markell avoids a punch combination nicely.
Destroyer throws a poor cross that misses

and Markell counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Destroyer wants to stand up but Markell is controlling him.
Destroyer pulls Markell in close to prevent any damage.
Destroyer continues to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Destroyer is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Destroyer throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markell trying to control the position from guard on top but Destroyer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markell stops Destroyer from standing up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Destroyer keeping full guard, as Markell tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Markell swings for the body but Destroyer moves out of range.
Markell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Destroyer's waist but Destroyer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Markell off to one side.
Destroyer looks to land a combination but Markell avoids it well.
Markell let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Markell throws a nice looking combination but Destroyer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The fighters circling - Destroyer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Destroyer lands a body shot.
Markell misses with a series of wild punches.
Markell needs to keep his hands up - Destroyer had a free shot at his head there.
A swing and a miss from Destroyer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Destroyer misses with a straight left.
Destroyer misses the body punch

and Markell counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
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!
Markell thows a huge punch but Destroyer dodges it nicely.
Markell throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Destroyer trying to control from the bottom.
Destroyer wants to get back to his feet.
Markell is thwarting Destroyer's attempts to control the position.
Markell lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Destroyer tries to roll over but Markell keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Destroyer does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Markell is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Destroyer is trying to get back to full guard.
Destroyer is trying to stand up here but Markell is controlling him well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Markell connects with a nice short shot to Destroyer's temple.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Markell working his ground and pound in the gym.
Markell scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Destroyer on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Markell maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Destroyer could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Markell has cracked it and Destroyer is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Markell!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jhin Markell!
An out of breath Jhin Markell thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Meatball Destroyer was interviewed post fight and said 'Organic Nutrition all the way'.