PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Itof Meyachev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jae Darkwaters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jae Darkwaters will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Meyachev
vs
Darkwaters

172 cm
23
174 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
182 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

White Gorilla Nutrition

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Itof Meyachev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jae Darkwaters!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Meyachev drives through with a takedown into guard.
Meyachev thows a big elbow that misses.
Meyachev stands and throws Darkwaters's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Meyachev wants to control but Darkwaters is keeping him busy.
Meyachev in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Meyachev scores with a couple of short elbows.
Meyachev controlling from side mount.
Meyachev is looking to take a break and control but Darkwaters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Darkwaters is pushing Meyachev's head away, looking to escape. Meyachev manages to hold on to the position though.
Darkwaters prevents Meyachev from moving into mount.

Meyachev looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Darkwaters trying to remain calm as Meyachev controls from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meyachev trying to control the action but Darkwaters is working from the bottom.
Darkwaters is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Meyachev prevents Darkwaters from improving his position.

Meyachev seems to be looking for submissions.

Darkwaters looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Meyachev wants to control but Darkwaters is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Darkwaters connects with a body shot.
Meyachev checks a leg kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Darkwaters scores with the left hand. Meyachev knows he should have avoided that one.

It looks like Itof Meyachev has been cut.
Darkwaters misses with a few strikes there.
Darkwaters throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Darkwaters tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Darkwaters will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Meyachev keeps the fight on the outside.
Meyachev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Darkwaters.
A combination from Darkwaters does no damage.
Darkwaters misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Meyachev doesn't manage to clinch there - Darkwaters circles away.

Meyachev gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Meyachev decides to pull guard.
Darkwaters trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Meyachev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Darkwaters is refusing to be controlled, as Meyachev sits in half guard.
Darkwaters blocking the ground and pound attempt from Meyachev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darkwaters is refusing to be controlled, as Meyachev sits in half guard.
Meyachev thows a huge punch but Darkwaters dodges it nicely.
Darkwaters punching from the bottom.
Darkwaters moves into full guard.
Meyachev advances to half guard.
Darkwaters on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Darkwaters tries to get to full guard but Meyachev has control of the leg.

Darkwaters looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Darkwaters looks gassed!

Darkwaters looking for submissions off his back.

Meyachev is trying to work for a kimura but Darkwaters is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Meyachev passes to full mount!
Meyachev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Darkwaters is looking to escape.
Darkwaters tries to reverse the position but Meyachev maintains control.
Meyachev content just to control the position here.
Darkwaters is desperately trying to improve his position but Meyachev has a good base and remains in mount.
Meyachev looking to finish with strikes here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itof Meyachev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Itof Meyachev's cut.
That's time! Meyachev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Darkwaters scores with a jab to the head.
Darkwaters fails with the takedown

and Meyachev counters with a single leg into guard. Darkwaters didn't expect that.
Meyachev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Meyachev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Darkwaters is keeping the position for now.
Darkwaters throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Meyachev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Meyachev trying to control but Darkwaters is working from the bottom.
Darkwaters is breathing heavily.
Darkwaters looking for a sweep. Not yet Darkwaters, not yet.
Meyachev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Meyachev wants to control from the top but Darkwaters keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Darkwaters avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darkwaters misses with a series of wild punches.

Meyachev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Darkwaters tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Meyachev is looking for a kimura here.

Meyachev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Darkwaters is just riding it out for now. Meyachev eventually gives up the hold.
Darkwaters works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Darkwaters is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Darkwaters is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Darkwaters keeping moving, preventing Meyachev from controlling successfully.
Meyachev works over Darkwaters with some ground and pound from guard.

Darkwaters is looking for a triangle but Meyachev pushes his legs off easily.
Meyachev wants to control from the top but Darkwaters keeps moving.
Meyachev pushing down on Darkwaters's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Meyachev wants to control but Darkwaters is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darkwaters is looking for a sweep. Meyachev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Meyachev trying to control from half guard but Darkwaters is working away.

Meyachev is looking for a kimura but Darkwaters is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Meyachev to get the leverage.
Darkwaters gets back to full guard.
Meyachev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Darkwaters swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Darkwaters is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Darkwaters wants to work for an arm triangle but Meyachev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Meyachev is looking for a sweep. Darkwaters is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Itof Meyachev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Meyachev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Darkwaters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Darkwaters not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Meyachev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Darkwaters.

Darkwaters seems to be looking for submissions.
Darkwaters wants to stand up but Meyachev is controlling the position.

Meyachev looking for submissions off his back.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Darkwaters uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Meyachev has time to react.
Darkwaters works the jab nicely.
Darkwaters scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Darkwaters looks to score with a jab to the body but Meyachev is just out of range.

Meyachev clinches.
Darkwaters working aggressively here.
Darkwaters throws a head punch that misses.
Darkwaters lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Meyachev backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Itof Meyachev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Itof Meyachev's cut.
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. This is the final round!

A combination from Darkwaters does no damage.
A jab from Darkwaters finds it's way through Meyachev's defenses.
Itof Meyachev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Donk. Darkwaters catches Meyachev right on the button with a cross.
Meyachev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Darkwaters swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Darkwaters throws a big shot that misses.
Meyachev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Darkwaters.

Meyachev clinches.
Meyachev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Darkwaters avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Meyachev has hold of one of Darkwaters's legs. Darkwaters is fighting the takedown attempt but Meyachev gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Meyachev wants to pass the guard but Darkwaters is keeping the position.
Darkwaters doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Meyachev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Meyachev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Meyachev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Meyachev wants to control from the top but Darkwaters keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meyachev throwing strikes but missing.
Meyachev trying to control but Darkwaters is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Meyachev shoots in and drives through. Darkwaters sprawls well.
Darkwaters misses with a head kick.
Jae Darkwaters seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Darkwaters connects with a body shot.
Darkwaters tests Meyachev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Meyachev keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Darkwaters lands with a shot to the body.
A nice combination there by Darkwaters.
Darkwaters lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darkwaters bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Meyachev's head backwards.
Darkwaters lands with a nice combination. Meyachev backs away looking to recover.
Darkwaters pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Meyachev clinches with his opponent.
Darkwaters swings wildly with an uppercut but Meyachev uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Darkwaters.
Meyachev prevents Darkwaters from breaking the clinch.

Meyachev has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Darkwaters is trying to keep an underhook but Meyachev manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Meyachev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Darkwaters is looking to improve his position.
Meyachev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Darkwaters keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Darkwaters is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Darkwaters actively working from the bottom here.
Jae Darkwaters has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meyachev is controlling the pace.

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

Meyachev has managed to clinch.
Nice elbow from Meyachev.
Darkwaters pushes Meyachev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Darkwaters prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Itof Meyachev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Meyachev blocks an uppercut.
Meyachev blocking some punches.
Darkwaters lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Darkwaters misses with a short punch on the inside.
Darkwaters is trying to break the clinch but Meyachev has him pressed against the cage.
Darkwaters wants to get back to striking at distance but Meyachev won't allow it.
Darkwaters gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Meyachev.
Darkwaters has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Meyachev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darkwaters drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Meyachev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Meyachev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Darkwaters pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Darkwaters is trying to break the clinch but Meyachev has him pressed against the cage.
Darkwaters doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Meyachev is working for takedown but Darkwaters is calmly controlling the position for now.
Darkwaters is pressed up against the cage. Meyachev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Darkwaters down to the mat. Darkwaters avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Darkwaters scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Darkwaters throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Meyachev.
Darkwaters tries a head kick but it misses.

Meyachev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Meyachev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Darkwaters fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No joy there for Darkwaters, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Meyachev has closed the distance and engaged Darkwaters in a clinch.

Meyachev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Darkwaters misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The fight stays on the outside here - Meyachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Itof Meyachev.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Meyachev, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 30:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Itof Meyachev!