PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Roger Medieros (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vassily Kuvaldin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Medieros
vs
Kuvaldin

151 cm
19
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
134 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Poweful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roger Medieros!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vassily Kuvaldin!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Fedor Mirinova and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Medieros misses with a takedown attempt - Kuvaldin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Medieros feints and as Kuvaldin raises his hands in defense, Medieros changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Medieros pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kuvaldin is keeping the position for now.
Kuvaldin looking to control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kuvaldin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Medieros is one step ahead there.

Kuvaldin looking for a guillotine here but Medieros defends easily.

Kuvaldin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Medieros pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kuvaldin is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kuvaldin throws a right and a left that Medieros avoids nicely.
Medieros fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Medieros tries a low kick but Kuvaldin avoids it.
Medieros closes the distance and clinches up with Kuvaldin, looking for a takedown. Medieros pushes Kuvaldin against the cage but Kuvaldin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Medieros. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Medieros is breathing heavily.
The fighters circling - Kuvaldin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Medieros fails with the takedown.
Medieros misses with a low kick as Kuvaldin jumps back.
Kuvaldin throws a body kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Kuvaldin moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuvaldin pressing his opponent against the cage.

Kuvaldin pulls Medieros into guard.
Kuvaldin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Medieros is one step ahead there.
Kuvaldin is trying to keep Medieros in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Medieros looking to pass the guard.
Medieros stopping the sweep attempt from Kuvaldin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuvaldin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Medieros doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Medieros manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Medieros might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Medieros trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Medieros won't allow Kuvaldin to sweep him here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kuvaldin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Medieros up against the cage.

Kuvaldin is trying to trip Medieros. He has hold of a leg but Medieros is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Kuvaldin persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Medieros can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kuvaldin controls the pace.
Kuvaldin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Medieros is keeping the position for now.
Kuvaldin throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuvaldin passes into half guard.

Kuvaldin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Medieros defends it well.
Kuvaldin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kuvaldin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Medieros manages to get to full guard.

Medieros working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuvaldin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuvaldin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Medieros is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Medieros working for a triangle but Kuvaldin defends it easily.
Kuvaldin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Roger Medieros will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kuvaldin has Medieros up against the cage in a clinch.
Kuvaldin avoiding damage.

Medieros is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kuvaldin is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Medieros to the mat. Medieros regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Kuvaldin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Medieros swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Medieros is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kuvaldin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Medieros is keeping the position for now.
Kuvaldin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kuvaldin trying to control but Medieros is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuvaldin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuvaldin trying to control but Medieros is working from the bottom.
Kuvaldin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kuvaldin trying to control but Medieros is working from the bottom.
Kuvaldin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Despite being in the dominant position, Vassily Kuvaldin just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kuvaldin moves into the clinch successfully.
Medieros tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuvaldin smiles and moves away.

Kuvaldin gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuvaldin breaks from the clinch.
Medieros looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kuvaldin is fending him off so far but Medieros persists. Nope, Kuvaldin circles away and we're back to standing.

Kuvaldin scores a takedown into full mount!

Kuvaldin is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Medieros has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Kuvaldin tries to control but Medieros wriggling away.
Medieros is in all sorts of trouble here.
Medieros regains half guard.
Medieros regains full guard. Nicely done.

Medieros is looking for a triangle but Kuvaldin pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuvaldin advances to half guard.
Kuvaldin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kuvaldin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kuvaldin is trying to control the action in half guard but Medieros is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kuvaldin moves nicely into side control.

Kuvaldin tries for a kimura but Medieros is defending well.
Medieros is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Medieros sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Kuvaldin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Medieros is just riding it out for now. Kuvaldin eventually gives up the hold.
Kuvaldin wants to pass the guard but Medieros is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuvaldin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Medieros looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Kuvaldin has closed the distance and engaged Medieros in a clinch.

Kuvaldin is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Medieros can't fight it off and eventually Kuvaldin manages to take the fight to the floor. Medieros looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kuvaldin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Medieros swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kuvaldin trying to control but Medieros is working from the bottom.
Kuvaldin passes Medieros's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Vassily Kuvaldin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kuvaldin works his way into full mount!
Kuvaldin looking to control but Medieros is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vassily Kuvaldin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kuvaldin tries to bum rush Medieros with a series of wild strikes but Medieros uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Medieros shoots and misses

and Kuvaldin moves into the clinch.
Kuvaldin tries to pull guard but Medieros won't allow it.
Medieros tries to pull guard but Kuvaldin holds him up against the cage and eventually Medieros drops back down to his feet.

Kuvaldin gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Kuvaldin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Medieros has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kuvaldin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kuvaldin landing some decent shots from guard.

Medieros is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuvaldin won't allow Medieros to sweep him here.

Kuvaldin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Medieros tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kuvaldin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Medieros is looking for a triangle but Kuvaldin pushes his legs off easily.
Kuvaldin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Kuvaldin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Medieros wants to sweep but no luck.
Kuvaldin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Kuvaldin drops back looking for a leg! Medieros is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Medieros manages to kick Kuvaldin off! Kuvaldin jumps back into Medieros's guard.
Kuvaldin slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kuvaldin in particular looking to stall.

Medieros looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kuvaldin wants to pass the guard but Medieros is defending well.

Kuvaldin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Medieros wants to get back to full guard.
Kuvaldin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Medieros looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kuvaldin is keen to just control but Medieros is a slippery customer.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Medieros doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kuvaldin holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Medieros. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuvaldin taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Medieros jumps guard but Kuvaldin stands there with Medieros around his waist. Medieros gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kuvaldin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Medieros tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuvaldin smiles and moves away.

Kuvaldin has closed the distance and engaged Medieros in a clinch.
Kuvaldin wants to get back to striking at distance but Medieros won't allow it.

Kuvaldin lands a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuvaldin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Medieros is keeping the position for now.
Kuvaldin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Medieros wants to sweep here but Kuvaldin controlling him for the moment.

Medieros is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Kuvaldin has his hands clasped together but Medieros extends an breaks Kuvaldin's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Medieros.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Roger Medieros!