PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michal Elsner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Macari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Elsner
vs
Macari

183 cm
27
170 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

160 cm
26
180 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michal Elsner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Macari!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Macari forces Elsner back against the ropes and clinches.
Elsner goes for a takedown in the clinch but Macari prevents it.
Macari lands a right hand that snaps the head of Elsner backwards.

Macari is trying to trip Elsner. He has hold of a leg but Elsner is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Macari persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Elsner throws his legs up looking for a submission but Macari uses it to pass to side control.
Elsner manages to get back to half guard.
Elsner is staying active underneath Macari, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elsner missing with punches from the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Elsner wants to sweep but Macari has passed to side control!

Macari is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Elsner is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macari tries to move to mount but Elsner blocks the move with his legs.
Elsner is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Macari is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are battling for position here. Elsner manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Macari looking to pass the guard.
Elsner keeping moving, preventing Macari from controlling successfully.
Elsner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Macari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Elsner is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Macari stopping the sweep attempt from Elsner.
Elsner keeping moving, preventing Macari from controlling successfully.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Macari advances to half guard.
Macari is trying to control the action in half guard but Elsner is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Macari might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Elsner haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Elsner misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Elsner misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Elsner regains full guard. Nicely done.
Elsner punching to the body, from the bottom.
Macari trying to control the position from guard on top but Elsner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Macari stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Elsner swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elsner is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Macari passes Elsner's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Elsner wants to improve his position but Macari is controlling well.

Macari is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Elsner has managed to free his arm - good work.
Macari trying to mount his opponent but Elsner defends it.
Elsner is staying active underneath Macari, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Elsner slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elsner tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Macari wants to control from the top but Elsner keeps moving.
Elsner lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Macari has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Elsner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Elsner throws an elbow that misses. Macari uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Elsner's guard. Nice move by Macari!

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Macari passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Macari dominated that round.
That's time! Elsner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Macari tries to close the distance and clinch but Elsner swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Elsner feinted with a counter takedown.

Macari gets the takedown into side control.
Macari is looking to take a break and control but Elsner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thiago Macari has got the better of the ground game so far.
Elsner prevents Macari from improving position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elsner tries to buck Macari off but Macari is having none of it.
Macari slips into full mount, dodging the strikes by Elsner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elsner is desperately trying to improve his position but Macari has a good base and remains in mount.

Macari with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Macari prevents Elsner from getting the reversal.
Elsner is trying to escape the mount but Macari keeps good control and instead manages to take Elsner's back.

Macari patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Elsner is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Macari gets his way!
Macari is trying to stick to Elsner's back but Elsner is turning into Macari. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Macari's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Elsner.
Macari looking to hit a scissor sweep but Elsner is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macari wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Elsner is now in half guard.

Macari looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macari is trying to control but Elsner passes into side control!
Macari is looking for a sweep.
Elsner will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
A control attempt from Macari but he's now mounted!
Elsner thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Macari tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Macari keeps trying to improve his position.
Macari is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Macari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Macari shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Elsner's guard.
Macari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Elsner striking off his back but it's not causing Macari any problems.

Elsner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Macari passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Macari just content to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Macari passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Elsner!
Macari trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Elsner tries to reverse the position but Macari maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elsner gets back to half guard.
Elsner is trying to get back to full guard.

Elsner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Elsner punching from the bottom.
Macari tries to pass to full mount but Elsner defends it.
Elsner is looking to improve his position.
Macari is looking to take a break and control but Elsner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Elsner is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Elsner is working hard here to advance position.

Macari is looking for a kimura here.

Macari is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Macari looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Elsner misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Macari is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Elsner is just riding it out for now. Macari eventually gives up the hold.
Elsner misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Elsner is looking for a sweep. Macari is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Elsner gets back to full guard.

Elsner working for a triangle but Macari defends it easily.
Elsner keeping moving, preventing Macari from controlling successfully.
Elsner will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Macari is looking to clinch.
Elsner half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Macari closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Elsner's guard.
Macari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Elsner trying to strike off his back.

Elsner working for a triangle but Macari defends it easily.
Elsner looking for a sweep. Not yet Elsner, not yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Macari trying to control the position from guard on top but Elsner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Macari really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Elsner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Elsner drops down looking for a counter takedown but Macari sprawls and moves away.

Macari closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Elsner's guard.
Macari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Macari won't allow Elsner to sweep him here.

Elsner looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Macari passes into side control.
Elsner is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elsner gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Macari is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Elsner can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elsner is desperately trying to improve his position but Macari has a good base and remains in mount.

Macari working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Elsner looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Macari patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Elsner tries to escape but Macari has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Macari working for the choke.
Macari tries to get the hooks in deep but Elsner pushed the leg off.
Elsner is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Elsner showing good submission defense here.
Elsner tries to escape the position.
Elsner manages to reverse the position and now he's in Macari's guard. Nice work there by Elsner.
Elsner scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Macari working a defensive guard here.
Elsner missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macari looking to control.
Macari wants to sweep but no luck.
Macari avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Macari throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Elsner escapes and throws Macari's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Elsner working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Macari is trying to improve his position.
Macari gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Elsner is thwarting Macari's attempts to control the position.
Elsner thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Elsner missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Macari dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Elsner tries to sprawl but Macari drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Elsner manages to get to full guard.

Elsner looking for a guillotine here but Macari defends easily.

Elsner had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Macari defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elsner bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Macari's guard.

Elsner stopping the sweep attempt from Macari.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macari working a defensive guard here.
Macari manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Elsner manages to get himself to full guard.

Macari trying to control but Elsner is working from the bottom.
Macari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Elsner has his foot on Macari's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Macari works his way back into a safe position though.
Elsner tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Macari wants to control from the top but Elsner keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Elsner tries to strike from the bottom.

Elsner looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Macari passes into half guard.

Elsner looking for submissions off his back.
Elsner wants to improve his position but Macari is controlling well.
Macari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Elsner keeps working.
Macari tries to pass the half guard into mount. Elsner knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elsner is looking to improve his position.
Macari is looking to take a break and control but Elsner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thiago Macari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Macari drives through and clinches with Elsner against the ropes.

Macari manages to pull guard.

Macari working for submissions but it's allowed Elsner to get to half guard.
Macari wants to control but Elsner is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elsner tries to pass the half guard into mount. Macari knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Elsner moves nicely into side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Macari tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Elsner wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Macari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Macari 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 45:50
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Macari!
Thiago Macari was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.