PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tarkhan Naranbaatar (ranked 414 p4p, 65 weight class) and Pops Maellard (ranked 617 p4p, 90 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Naranbaatar might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Batzorig Vaanchig. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Naranbaatar
vs
Maellard

178 cm
27
176 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

183 cm
35
178 lbs
20 - 11 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Fast

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Tarkhan Naranbaatar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Pops Maellard!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maellard avoids the body shot from Naranbaatar.
A little jabbing left from Maellard on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Naranbaatar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maellard.
Naranbaatar blocks a head kick by Maellard.
Maellard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Naranbaatar is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Maellard.
Maellard lands a slapping body shot.
Maellard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Naranbaatar was well out of range. Poor timing from Maellard.
Maellard fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar doesn't manage to clinch there - Maellard circles away.
Naranbaatar avoids a kick to the body.
Good exchange - Naranbaatar coming out on top.
Naranbaatar defending well as Maellard loads up on a big left hand.
Naranbaatar seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Maellard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Naranbaatar throws out the jab.
Naranbaatar tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maellard feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Naranbaatars jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Maellard moves away from the strike by Naranbaatar.
Nice defenses there by Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar digs a good hook to Maellard's body.
Naranbaatar lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Pops Maellard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Naranbaatar ducks under a wild hook from Maellard.
Naranbaatar is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maellard stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Naranbaatar.
Maellard walks into a stiff left hand from Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Pops Maellard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maellard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maellard throws a body punch but Naranbaatar moves out of range.
Naranbaatar throws a series of punches but Maellard moves out of range.
Naranbaatar stalks Maellard and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Maellard's face. Maellard staggers backwards, shaken.
Maellard tries to work over Naranbaatar's front leg with a kick but Naranbaatar checks it.
Naranbaatar throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Maellard scores with a head kick.
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!
Maellard ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maellard scores with the left hand. Naranbaatar knows he should have avoided that one.
Naranbaatar throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maellard stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Naranbaatar definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Maellard takes one to the chin there.
Maellard throws a body punch but Naranbaatar moves out of range.
Maellard moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Naranbaatar throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maellard swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A right-left combo lands from Naranbaatar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maellard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Naranbaatar manages to avoid it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Maellard.
Naranbaatar waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maellard.
Maellard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Naranbaatar blocks a head kick by Maellard.
A shot to the liver by Maellard. Beautiful body shot.
Naranbaatar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maellard manages to avoid it.
Naranbaatar scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Naranbaatar feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Maellard's calf.
Naranbaatar connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Maellard misses with a wild body shot.
Maellard throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Naranbaatar stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Maellard misses with a kick to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Naranbaatar on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maellard misses with a head kick.
Maellard misses with a looping right.
A big right from Maellard misses.
Maellard throws a sloppy head kick
and Naranbaatar counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Naranbaatar throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maellard swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar connects with a looping right hand.
Maellard throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Naranbaatar lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Maellard at a distance.
Maellard uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Naranbaatar.
Maellard flicks out a counter leg kick but Naranbaatar steps away.
Naranbaatar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maellard was well out of range. Poor timing from Naranbaatar.
Nice body kick there by Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar scores with a jab to the head.
Maellard is looking to land body kicks.
As Maellard backs away, Naranbaatar returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A shot to the body from Maellard misses
and Naranbaatar makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Naranbaatar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maellard misses with a hook.
Naranbaatar just misses with a punch to the body.
Naranbaatar throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maellard pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Naranbaatar rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Maellard makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Maellard just misses with a punch to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maellard tries to land a front kick but Naranbaatar steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maellard.

Naranbaatar shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Maellard trying to control but Naranbaatar postures up.
Naranbaatar passes the guard and advances to mount!
Naranbaatar tries to control but Maellard wriggling away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maellard is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Naranbaatar trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tarkhan Naranbaatar dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Maellard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Naranbaatar.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maellard! But no joy.
Maellard thuds his right hand into Naranbaatar's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Maellard misses with a low kick.
Decent striking displayed by Maellard there.

Naranbaatar fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Maellard to the ground. Naranbaatar is now in Maellard's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Naranbaatar slips nicely into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Naranbaatar trying to mount his opponent but Maellard defends it.
Maellard is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naranbaatar looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Naranbaatar prevents Maellard from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naranbaatar is looking to advance position but Maellard won't allow it.
Maellard felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Naranbaatar is working hard here to advance position.
Naranbaatar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maellard keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maellard trying to control but Naranbaatar postures up.
Maellard keeping hold of Naranbaatar's head, controlling as best he can.
Naranbaatar tries to pass to full mount but Maellard defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Maellard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Naranbaatar is trying to control the action in half guard but Maellard is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Naranbaatar takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Maellard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Maellard throws a jab but it's blocked by Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A punch lands to the side of Maellard 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Naranbaatar just misses with a punch to the body.
Naranbaatar throws a jab when Maellard was well out of range.
Naranbaatar lands a nice looking body shot.
Maellard takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Naranbaatar slips a straight right by Maellard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maellard keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tarkhan Naranbaatar is winning the standup battle so far.
Maellard stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Maellard misses with a right hand
and Naranbaatar counters with a straight right hand.
Maellard swings for the body but Naranbaatar moves out of range.
Maellard throws a head kick that misses.
Maellard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Naranbaatar.
Maellard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maellard thows a leg kick but Naranbaatar checks it
and Naranbaatar counters with a solid body kick.
Maellard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Naranbaatar avoids the head kick by Maellard.
Maellard throws a lazy uppercut
and Naranbaatar counters with a stiff right hand.
Maellard throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Naranbaatar lands a head kick. Maellard smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Naranbaatar takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Maellard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Naranbaatar looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Maellard is fending him off so far but Naranbaatar persists. Nope, Maellard circles away and we're back to standing.
Naranbaatar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Maellard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maellard fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Maellard lands a nice looking body shot.
Maellard tries a head kick but it misses.
Naranbaatar fires out a quick counter leg kick but Maellard just manages to avoid it.
Naranbaatar takes a swing at Maellard's ribcage but misses.
Naranbaatar connects with a crisp jab.
Maellard scores with a punch to the head.
Naranbaatar misses with a head kick.
Naranbaatar misses with a body shot.
Maellard connects with a solid leg kick.
Maellard misses with a head kick.
A jab from Naranbaatar finds it's way through Maellard's defenses.
Naranbaatar catches Maellard with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Naranbaatar scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Naranbaatar.
Maellard misses with a few strikes there.
Naranbaatar tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Maellard with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tarkhan Naranbaatar will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Maellard takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Maellard takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Naranbaatar fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Maellard looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Naranbaatar takes one to the side of the head.
Naranbaatar misses with a left hand
and Maellard counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Naranbaatar closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Maellard tries to buck Naranbaatar off but Naranbaatar is having none of it.
Maellard gets back to half guard.
Naranbaatar wants to control but Maellard is keeping him busy.
Maellard is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Naranbaatar's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Naranbaatar's back!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maellard looking to hold on to the position here but Naranbaatar rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Naranbaatar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maellard wants to control from the top but Naranbaatar keeps moving.

Naranbaatar is looking for a triangle but Maellard pushes his legs off easily.
Maellard trying to control but Naranbaatar is working from the bottom.
Maellard advances to half guard.
Naranbaatar tries to get to full guard but Maellard has control of the leg.
Pops Maellard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Maellard stalling.
Maellard is keen to just control but Naranbaatar is a slippery customer.
Naranbaatar gets back to full guard.
Naranbaatar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maellard is one step ahead there.
Maellard trying to control the position from guard on top but Naranbaatar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maellard stopping the sweep attempt from Naranbaatar.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Naranbaatar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Naranbaatar takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A shot to the body from Maellard misses
and Naranbaatar counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A low kick from Maellard misses
and Naranbaatar counters with a stiff right hand.
Naranbaatar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Naranbaatar works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Maellard throws an off balance right hand
and Naranbaatar counters with a straight right hand.
Naranbaatar misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maellard.
Naranbaatar throws an overhand right that lands on Maellard's shoulder, as Maellard tries to avoid the shot.
Good work by Maellard as he checks the leg kick.
Naranbaatar feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Maellards jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Maellard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Naranbaatar is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Naranbaatar cracks a nice hook into Maellard's ribs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maellard throws a head kick that misses.
Maellard ducks under a wild hook from Naranbaatar.

Naranbaatar throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Maellard was covering up waiting for the punch and Naranbaatar finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Maellard is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Maellard doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tarkhan Naranbaatar showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Naranbaatar has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tarkhan Naranbaatar!
During a confident post fight interview, Tarkhan Naranbaatar thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.