PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Mercer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alan Tsagaraev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Randy Mercer could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Alan Tsagaraev's chin.

Mercer
vs
Tsagaraev

180 cm
25
234 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

220 cm
24
300 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Decent elbows
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Randy Mercer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alan Tsagaraev!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsagaraev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tsagaraev misses with a two punch combination.
Mercer dives in and grabs Tsagaraev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tsagaraev pushes down on Mercer's head and hops out.
Tsagaraev misses with a body shot.
Tsagaraev throws a right hand that Mercer ducks under and follows up with a left that Mercer also avoids with ease.
Mercer drops down looking for a counter takedown but Tsagaraev sprawls and moves away.
Tsagaraev misses with a body shot.
Tsagaraev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tsagaraev misses with a wild combination.
Mercer throws a shot from downtown. Tsagaraev moves away and avoids it.
Tsagaraev appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Tsagaraev lands a glancing blow to the side of Mercer's head.
Mercer avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tsagaraev just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromMercer.
Mercer shoots for a takedown but Tsagaraev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A punch lands to the side of Tsagaraev 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Mercer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tsagaraev, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mercer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tsagaraev. Mercer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mercer doesn't manage to clinch there - Tsagaraev circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsagaraev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tsagaraev misses with a few strikes there.
Tsagaraev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercer.
Mercer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tsagaraev is fending him off so far but Mercer persists. Nope, Tsagaraev circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Mercer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercer shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tsagaraev as he jumps to the side.
Tsagaraev doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tsagaraev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mercer manages to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Tsagaraev.
Mercer appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Mercer drives through and clinches with Tsagaraev against the cage.
Mercer jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tsagaraev walks away with a smile on his face. Mercer gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tsagaraev tries to bum rush Mercer with a series of wild strikes but Mercer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mercer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tsagaraev is fending him off so far but Mercer persists. Nope, Tsagaraev circles away and we're back to standing.
Mercer closes the distance and clinches up with Tsagaraev, looking for a takedown. Mercer pushes Tsagaraev against the cage but Tsagaraev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mercer dodges the punch combination from Tsagaraev.
Tsagaraev looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Tsagaraev.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mercer pushes Tsagaraev up against the cage in a clinch.
A right hand to the body from Tsagaraev.
Mercer is trying to pull guard but Tsagaraev has him pressed against the cage.
Mercer goes for a takedown attempt but Tsagaraev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tsagaraev lands a head shot.

Mercer moves into the clinch.
Mercer is stalling here.
Tsagaraev managing to block the knees to the body from Mercer.
Tsagaraev has had enough of the clinch but Mercer keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mercer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mercer is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Mercer shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tsagaraev eats them both and turns towards Mercer to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Mercer dives in and grabs Tsagaraev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tsagaraev pushes down on Mercer's head and hops out.
Mercer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tsagaraev swivels and escapes.
Mercer looks for a takedown but Tsagaraev sprawls well.
Tsagaraev lands with a nice body punch.
Tsagaraev throws a good cross that connects.
Mercer looks to land a combination but Tsagaraev avoids it well.
Tsagaraev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mercer circles away quickly and effectively.
Tsagaraev misses with a double jab.
Mercer half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tsagaraev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mercer appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mercer misses with a head kick.
Tsagaraev connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer shoots for a double leg takedown but Tsagaraev sprawls well. He's pushed Mercer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mercer tries to clinch up.
A little jabbing left from Tsagaraev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tsagaraev lands a slapping body shot.
Tsagaraev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tsagaraev displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Alan Tsagaraev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tsagaraev lands with a shot to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Tsagaraev. Those never looked like landing.
Tsagaraev has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Tsagaraev goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Mercer shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Mercer was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mercer wants to stand but Tsagaraev has his arm trapped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mercer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tsagaraev tries to avoid it but Mercer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tsagaraev to the ground. Tsagaraev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tsagaraev throws a combination that misses

and Mercer counters by clinching up.
Mercer tries to pull guard but Tsagaraev forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Tsagaraev is trying to break free.
Mercer is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Mercer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercer is trying to pull guard but Tsagaraev has him pressed against the cage.
Tsagaraev is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Tsagaraev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tsagaraev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tsagaraev managing to block the knees to the body from Mercer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercer lands a hook that snaps the head of Tsagaraev backwards.

Tsagaraev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mercer's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tsagaraev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mercer scrambles back to his feet.
Mercer misses with a head kick.
Tsagaraev fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsagaraev throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mercer darts in looking for a takedown but Tsagaraev gets double underhooks and turns Mercer into the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tsagaraev. Mercer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tsagaraev is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Mercer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tsagaraev.
Mercer throws a nice looking combination but Tsagaraev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mercer wants to clinch.
Mercer has a takedown stuffed.
Tsagaraev throws a counter combo.
Randy Mercer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch combination from Tsagaraev misses.
Tsagaraev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mercer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tsagaraev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mercer is looking for a counter combo.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mercer wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercer avoids the body shot from Tsagaraev.
Tsagaraev throws a right hand that Mercer ducks under and follows up with a left that Mercer also avoids with ease.

Mercer clinches with his opponent.
Come on Mercer - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Mercer breaks from the clinch.
Mercer slips under a jab.

Mercer closes the distance and clinches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mercer can't get the takedown.
Tsagaraev managing to block the knees to the body from Mercer.
Tsagaraev trying to land knees to the body.
Tsagaraev struggles to land a body shot inside as Mercer controls his hands.
Tsagaraev pushes off an throws an elbow but Mercer leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mercer pulls guard successfully.
Tsagaraev controlling from the top position.
Mercer trying to control the position.
Tsagaraev controlling from the top position.

Mercer working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Tsagaraev has passed into half guard!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tsagaraev is taking a breather. Mercer says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Mercer tries to roll over but Tsagaraev keeps him under control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mercer wants to get back to full guard but Tsagaraev has passed into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Tsagaraev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Mercer is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Tsagaraev.
Tsagaraev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Mercer rushes Tsagaraev and presses him up against the cage.
Tsagaraev throws an elbow that misses.
Mercer is trying to pull guard but Tsagaraev has him pressed against the cage.
Tsagaraev misses with a body punch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mercer dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Mercer tries to pull guard but Tsagaraev forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Mercer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tsagaraev is defending well for now.
Tsagaraev is pressed up against the cage. Mercer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tsagaraev down to the mat. Tsagaraev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsagaraev misses with a series of wild punches.
Tsagaraev digs a good hook to Mercer's body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mercer shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tsagaraev but Tsagaraev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tsagaraev now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Mercer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tsagaraev.
No joy there for Mercer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mercer takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Alan Tsagaraev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tsagaraev lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tsagaraev throws a right and a left that Mercer avoids nicely.
Tsagaraev throws an overhand right from the outside, which connects and sends Mercer stumbling backwards into the cage! Mercer bounces back off the cage towards Tsagaraev, who cracks him with a two punch combination that drops him to his knees! Tsagaraev lands two more shots before the referee has chance to intervene - what a finish! Tsagaraev celebrates with his corner as the crowd cheer loudly.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Alan Tsagaraev!