PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eric Schmeler (ranked 6241 p4p, 719 weight class) and Svyatoslav Morozov (ranked 9793 p4p, 868 weight class). Eric Schmeler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Schmeler
vs
Morozov

176 cm
21
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 Helsinki, Eric Schmeler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Svyatoslav Morozov!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morozov fails with a takedown attempt.

Morozov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Schmeler is trying to defend but Morozov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Morozov is working for a kimura but Schmeler is defending it quite comfortably.

Morozov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Schmeler defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schmeler tries to kick Morozov off but Morozov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morozov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Schmeler defending well though.

Morozov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Schmeler is staying active underneath Morozov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Schmeler is trying to stand up here but Morozov is controlling him well.
Morozov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Schmeler to regain full guard.
Schmeler not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Schmeler definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Schmeler keeping moving, preventing Morozov from controlling successfully.
Schmeler is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Morozov lands a couple of digs.
Morozov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Schmeler. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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.
Morozov throws a big right hand that misses.
Morozov landing with the ground and pound.

Schmeler is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Schmeler prevents the takedown attempt.
Morozov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Schmeler gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Eric Schmeler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Svyatoslav Morozov.

Schmeler breaks the clinch.
Morozov dives in and grabs Schmeler's left leg, looking for a takedown. Schmeler pushes down on Morozov's head and hops out.
It looked like Schmeler wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Schmeler lands an overhand right.
Morozov fails with the takedown.
Schmeler is looking to clinch but Morozov is avoiding it.
Morozov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morozov fails with the takedown
enabling Schmeler to counter with a crisp jab.
Morozov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Morozov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Schmeler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Morozov somewhat.
Schmeler jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Schmeler looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Schmeler lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Morozov is rocked!
Morozov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Morozov is still on wobbly legs! Can Schmeler finish him?
Morozov takes one to the chin there.
A shot to the liver by Schmeler. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Schmeler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Morozov.
As Morozov looks to move away, Schmeler throws a big counter combo but Morozov just gets out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morozov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Schmeler sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Schmeler scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Morozov seems to have recovered his senses.
Morozov shoots in for a double leg but Schmeler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Morozov looks winded!
Some wild striking there from Schmeler.
Schmeler is pawing at Morozov, trying to feel the distance before throwing out a cross that crashes into Morozov's nose. Morozov is badly hurt! Schmeler pounces, throwing wild strikes as both fighters end up on the ground! Morozov tries desperately to hold on but Schmeler is relentless in his assault! As Morozov receives an ever increasing number of unanswered strikes the referee pulls Schmeler away and this one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eric Schmeler!
A very excited looking Eric Schmeler made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.