PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Eremeev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michel LaRoc (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Ruslan Eremeev has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Eremeev
vs
LaRoc

175 cm
21
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
16
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruslan Eremeev!
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, Michel LaRoc!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Fedor Mirinova and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eremeev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but LaRoc defends well and Eremeev ends up having to push LaRoc into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Eremeev makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

It looks like Michel LaRoc has been cut.
Eremeev lands an uppercut.
Eremeev lands a hook to the side of the head.

Eremeev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

LaRoc closes the distance and clinches.
Eremeev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Eremeev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables LaRoc to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Eremeev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

LaRoc pulls guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Eremeev got a little sloppy there for a moment and LaRoc has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Eremeev has managed to get both his arms back between LaRoc's legs - danger averted.
Eremeev won't allow LaRoc to sweep him here.
LaRoc really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Eremeev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

LaRoc looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Eremeev gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaRoc tries a head kick but it misses.
LaRoc shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Eremeev defends it nicely.
LaRoc throws a half hearted mid kick.

Eremeev gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows LaRoc to score an easy takedown into full guard.
LaRoc looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
LaRoc's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LaRoc passes Eremeev's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
LaRoc not doing much here.
LaRoc tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Eremeev is not content to let LaRoc control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

LaRoc is working for a kimura but Eremeev is defending it quite comfortably.
LaRoc is looking to advance position but Eremeev won't allow it.
LaRoc wants to take a breather but Eremeev is having none of it.
LaRoc not doing much here.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Michel LaRoc.

LaRoc rushes Eremeev and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but LaRoc pulls him back up using the underhooks.

LaRoc ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. LaRoc no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
LaRoc is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

LaRoc working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Eremeev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Eremeev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Eremeev not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Eremeev wants to control from the top but LaRoc keeps moving.
Eremeev is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because LaRoc is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michel LaRoc dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michel LaRoc's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Eremeev throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
LaRoc tries to score a power double leg takedown but Eremeev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten LaRoc somewhat.
LaRoc wants to clinch up but Eremeev keeps it at a distance.
LaRoc shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Eremeev but Eremeev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Eremeev dives in for a single leg takedown but LaRoc sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

LaRoc manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - LaRoc looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Horrible takedown attempt by Eremeev or perhaps it was just good defense by LaRoc, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaRoc misses with a jab, cross combination.
Eremeev tries for a takedown but LaRoc sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Eremeev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eremeev is looking to clinch.
LaRoc tries a head kick but it misses.
LaRoc goes for a double leg but Eremeev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Eremeev continues to drive forward.
Eremeev tries for a takedown but LaRoc manages to get underhooks.

Eremeev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
LaRoc closes this distance looking for a takedown but Eremeev circles away.
Eremeev throws a head kick that LaRoc semi-blocks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Eremeev moves in looking to clinch but LaRoc pushes him off.

LaRoc throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Eremeev was covering up waiting for the punch and LaRoc finishes the takedown easily into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as LaRoc accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LaRoc looking to pass the guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
LaRoc throws a big right hand that misses.
Michel LaRoc has got the better of the ground game so far.
LaRoc pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Eremeev is keeping the position for now.
LaRoc missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Eremeev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Eremeev trying to keep a closed guard but LaRoc is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev keeping moving, preventing LaRoc from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
LaRoc is looking to stand up but Eremeev won't let him.
LaRoc not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Eremeev throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Eremeev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
LaRoc misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Eremeev shoots for a takedown but LaRoc saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Eremeev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
LaRoc stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and LaRoc wants it to stay on the feet.

LaRoc is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Eremeev's half guard.
LaRoc trying to mount his opponent but Eremeev defends it.

LaRoc decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
LaRoc shoots in for a takedown but Eremeev shows good takedown defense.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eremeev leaves LaRoc with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
LaRoc darts in looking for a takedown but Eremeev gets double underhooks and turns LaRoc into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michel LaRoc showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Michel LaRoc's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Eremeev shoots in for a double leg but LaRoc sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Eremeev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Eremeev tries for a takedown but LaRoc sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Eremeev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
LaRoc tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Eremeev swivels and escapes.
Eremeev tries to close the distance and clinch up but LaRoc swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Eremeev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and LaRoc counters with a right hand to the body.
Eremeev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
LaRoc throws a sloppy head kick and Eremeev moves out of range easily.
LaRoc throws a head kick but Eremeev moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from LaRoc.

LaRoc changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Eremeev looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eremeev is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
LaRoc misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
LaRoc wants to lay and pray for a moment but Eremeev keeps working.
Eremeev gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

LaRoc looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
LaRoc trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as LaRoc tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
LaRoc looking to control but Eremeev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
LaRoc avoids the attempt from Eremeev to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaRoc tries to control but Eremeev wriggling away.
LaRoc thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

LaRoc working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
LaRoc tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Eremeev keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
LaRoc controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev is looking to improve his position but LaRoc isn't that keen on the idea.
LaRoc has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Eremeev's face.

LaRoc looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
LaRoc postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Eremeev looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Eremeev is bucking up trying to escape but LaRoc cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michel LaRoc comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got LaRoc winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michel LaRoc!