PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bariga Marihuanich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgenii Sarachev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Marihuanich
vs
Sarachev

175 cm
26
175 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

165 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bariga Marihuanich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgenii Sarachev!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sarachev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Sarachev gets tackled into the cage by Marihuanich. Marihuanich maintains the clinch.

Marihuanich gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Sarachev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sarachev is staying active underneath Marihuanich, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sarachev is trying to get back to full guard.

Sarachev actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marihuanich has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Marihuanich looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarachev is trying desperately to improve position.
Sarachev tries to lock up and control but Marihuanich gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Marihuanich pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Sarachev wants to get back to his feet.
Sarachev looks gassed!
Marihuanich controlling from the full mount.
Marihuanich scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Sarachev?
Sarachev tries to reverse the position but Marihuanich maintains control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarachev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sarachev takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Marihuanich controlling the position easily from mount.
Marihuanich can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sarachev is looking to escape.

Marihuanich is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Sarachev to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Sarachev shrugs it off.
Marihuanich trying to control but Sarachev is having none of it.
Sarachev sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marihuanich working Sarachev over with strikes.
Marihuanich working over Sarachev with some ground and pound. Sarachev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Marihuanich seems to be working for a kimura but Sarachev defends the submission attempt.
Marihuanich wants to free his trapped foot but Sarachev is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sarachev wants to improve his position but Marihuanich is controlling well.

Marihuanich postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Sarachev to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sarachev moves into the clinch.

Sarachev is fighting off a takedown attempt but Marihuanich is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Sarachev to the mat. Sarachev regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Marihuanich drops back looking for a leg! Sarachev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sarachev manages to kick Marihuanich off! Marihuanich jumps back into Sarachev's guard.
Marihuanich postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Marihuanich trying to control but Sarachev is working from the bottom.
Sarachev wants to stand and escape but Marihuanich is having none of it.

Sarachev pushes Marihuanich off and scrambles back to his feet.

Marihuanich closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Marihuanich lands in his opponent's guard.

Sarachev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bariga Marihuanich dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Marihuanich drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sarachev trying to control the position.
Marihuanich looking to pass the guard.
Sarachev keeping moving, preventing Marihuanich from controlling successfully.

Marihuanich gets to his feet. Sarachev looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Sarachev wants to clinch up but Marihuanich keeps it at a distance.
Marihuanich fails with the takedown
and Sarachev counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Marihuanich looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sarachev closes the distance but Marihuanich moves to the side

and Marihuanich counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sarachev!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sarachev tries to reverse the position but Marihuanich maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marihuanich looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sarachev tries to hold on but Marihuanich pushes him away.
Marihuanich controlling the pace for now.
Marihuanich with shots to the head and body - Sarachev looks very uncomfortable down there.

Marihuanich is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Sarachev is surviving well by controlling Marihuanich's body position as best he can.
Sarachev slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sarachev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Marihuanich slips a nice elbow through Sarachev's hands, connecting with Sarachev's forehead.
Sarachev taking some punishment here, with Marihuanich in his half guard.
Bariga Marihuanich overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sarachev wants to get back to full guard.
Marihuanich is looking to advance position but Sarachev won't allow it.
Sarachev scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Marihuanich manages to mount him!
Marihuanich controlling from mount.
Sarachev is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marihuanich is working for a guillotine from mount but Sarachev frees his head quite easily.
Marihuanich breaks from Sarachev's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Marihuanich lands a big elbow.
Marihuanich controlling the pace for now.

Marihuanich looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Marihuanich wants to finish this one by submission but Sarachev is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Marihuanich.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sarachev tries to hold on but Marihuanich pushes him away.
Sarachev is trying to escape the mount.
Marihuanich takes Sarachev's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Sarachev is in trouble.
Sarachev tries to escape but Marihuanich has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Marihuanich scores with punches and elbows.
Marihuanich struggling to keep hold of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bariga Marihuanich dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Marihuanich throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sarachev's waist but Sarachev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Marihuanich off to one side.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Marihuanich gets underhooks to prevent Sarachev's takedown attempt.
Marihuanich prevents the takedown attempt.
Sarachev is looking to control Marihuanich's arms but Marihuanich gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sarachev has his back to the cage.

Marihuanich has clasped his hands together around Sarachev's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Sarachev stops Marihuanich from passing to mount.
Sarachev is looking for a sweep.

Marihuanich is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sarachev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sarachev is not content to let Marihuanich control the position.
Sarachev is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarachev tries to bench press Marihuanich off him but Marihuanich keeps the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Marihuanich tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Marihuanich has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Marihuanich moves into full mount!
Sarachev really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Marihuanich looking to secure an arm triangle but Sarachev defends it well.
Sarachev is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marihuanich takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Marihuanich trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sarachev tries to hold on but Marihuanich pushes him away.
Marihuanich content just to control the position here.
Sarachev is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarachev is trying to reverse the position but instead Marihuanich has taken his back - oops!
Marihuanich biding his time, looking for the opening.
Marihuanich tries to keep control of the position but Sarachev is staying busy.

Sarachev fending off the submission attempt from Marihuanich.

Marihuanich working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Will Marihuanich go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Evgenii Sarachev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sarachev is trying to stand back up.
Marihuanich has the hooks in. Sarachev is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Marihuanich controlling from the back.

Marihuanich is working on the RNC. He looks like he's got it but Sarachev won't tap... Oh, he's out! The ref rips Marihuanich off his unconscious opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Bariga Marihuanich!