Ronny Markes showed his experience advantage with a stoppage victory against Sigi Pesaleli at PFL 3 2019.
Ronny Markes had a tough go in 2018 in PFL with an 0-2 including a stoppage loss against eventual light heavyweight champ Sean O’Connell. Prior to his PFL debut, the BJJ black belt had a solid 3-2 run in the UFC with a fight against Yoel Romero. Of his 18 career wins, he owns seven knockouts and five submissions.
At 25-years-old, Sigi Pesaleli is the youngest fighter in the light heavyweight bracket. He has a 1-0 record in MMA, winning a fight by knockout. However, the New Zealander has participated in over 30 professional kickboxing bouts.
Ronny Markes shot for a single-leg takedown in the first minute of the fight and mounted Sigi Pesaleli quickly. The BJJ black-belt went hard for an arm-triangle, but Pesaleli defended well. Pesaleli popped up and took top position from Markes. The New Zealander stood up and landed some kicks, seizing momentum by the end of the round.
Pesaleli clocked Markes early on, winging wild hooks, but couldn’t connect cleanly. Pesaleli caught a kick, then tugged Markes to the canvas and walked away. When action resumed, Markes took him down and began cranking a kimura. Pesaleli somehow survived, but wasn’t out of the woods as Markes mounted him then took his back soon after. The Brazilian flattened him out and began raining down punches. Pesaleli couldn’t move and the referee was forced to stop the fight.
No points on this occasion due to missing weight, but @RonnyMarkes has made his mark tonight with fight-ending ground and pound. #PFL3 pic.twitter.com/Zu7SPcFklW
— #PFLmma (@ProFightLeague) June 7, 2019
Despite the stoppage victory, Ronny Markes will not be awarded any points due to missing weight.
Ronny Markes def. Sigi Pesaleli by TKO (Punches) in Round 2 (3:44)
Check out the rest of the results from PFL 3 2019 here!
