PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Juravlev (ranked 1396 p4p, 145 weight class) and Mario Eikmeyer (ranked 2289 p4p, 226 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Juravlev
vs
Eikmeyer

182 cm
42
240 lbs
42 - 20 - 1

190 cm
40
272 lbs
31 - 45 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 42 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Alexey Juravlev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 45 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mario Eikmeyer!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eikmeyer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Juravlev swivels and escapes.

Eikmeyer drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Eikmeyer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Eikmeyer is looking to work some ground and pound but Juravlev has wrist control.
Eikmeyer wants to pass the guard but Juravlev is keeping the position.
Juravlev wants to sweep but no luck.
Juravlev is adopting a defensive guard.
Eikmeyer lands a couple of digs.
Juravlev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Eikmeyer is controlling him.
Eikmeyer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
My spies in whitey's gym inform me that Eikmeyer has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eikmeyer postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Eikmeyer is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Juravlev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Eikmeyer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Juravlev controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eikmeyer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Juravlev is stalling in the full guard.

Eikmeyer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Juravlev wanted to stand there but Eikmeyer had control of the position.

Eikmeyer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Eikmeyer looking for a guillotine here but Juravlev defends easily.
Juravlev's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Juravlev wants to stand but Eikmeyer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Juravlev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Juravlev trying to stand up but can't free himself from Eikmeyer's guard.

Juravlev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Eikmeyer isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Juravlev stacks Eikmeyer on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Juravlev!
Juravlev controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eikmeyer tries to bench press Juravlev off him but Juravlev keeps the position.
Eikmeyer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Juravlev stands up and beckons Eikmeyer to his feet.
A big left from Eikmeyer misses.
Juravlev scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Juravlev looks to score with a jab to the body but Eikmeyer is just out of range.
Eikmeyer shoots in for a takedown but Juravlev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Eikmeyer throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Juravlev was covering up waiting for the punch and Eikmeyer finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Eikmeyer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Eikmeyer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Juravlev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Eikmeyer won't allow Juravlev to sweep him here.
Eikmeyer trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Eikmeyer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Eikmeyer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev has momentary wrist control but Eikmeyer slips an elbow through the middle.
Eikmeyer keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Juravlev's head.
Eikmeyer stopping the sweep attempt from Juravlev.
Eikmeyer landing some decent shots from guard.
Eikmeyer is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Eikmeyer stopping the sweep attempt from Juravlev.
Eikmeyer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Juravlev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Eikmeyer throwing strikes but missing.

Juravlev uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Juravlev lands a really nice looking cross but Eikmeyer seems unphased.
Eikmeyer shoots in for a takedown but Juravlev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Alexey Juravlev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Eikmeyer.
Juravlev lunges at Eikmeyer with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Eikmeyer's hand.
Juravlev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexey Juravlev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Juravlev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Juravlev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Eikmeyer's hands.
Mario Eikmeyer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fighters circling - Juravlev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mario Eikmeyer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Eikmeyer is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Juravlev's half guard.
Juravlev throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Eikmeyer winds up and cracks Juravlev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Eikmeyer thows a huge punch but Juravlev dodges it nicely.

Eikmeyer is looking for a kimura but Juravlev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Eikmeyer to get the leverage.
Juravlev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Juravlev is defending against the submission attempts here by Eikmeyer.
Mario Eikmeyer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Eikmeyer working over Juravlev with some ground and pound. Juravlev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juravlev has his hands clasped together around Eikmeyer's back. He's all about the action.
Juravlev wants to control but Eikmeyer is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eikmeyer is trying to work for a kimura but Juravlev is defending well.
Eikmeyer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Juravlev defending well though.

Juravlev is defending against the submission attempts here by Eikmeyer.
Eikmeyer throws a strike but Juravlev avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Eikmeyer is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Juravlev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Eikmeyer throwing strikes but missing.
Eikmeyer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Eikmeyer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eikmeyer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Eikmeyer working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Juravlev's head.
Eikmeyer is looking to pass into half guard but Juravlev pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Juravlev is in guard.

Juravlev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Eikmeyer, up you get!
The fighters circling - Juravlev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Juravlev lands a nice hook to Eikmeyer's body. Eikmeyer takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Eikmeyer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Eikmeyer closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Juravlev to the mat! Juravlev manages to get full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Juravlev is controlling Eikmeyer's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Juravlev looking to control.
Eikmeyer makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Eikmeyer postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Eikmeyer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Eikmeyer with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Eikmeyer is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Juravlev is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Juravlev has escaped and now he's on top!

Juravlev is looking to stand up but Eikmeyer won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Juravlev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Eikmeyer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Juravlev has managed to get both his arms back between Eikmeyer's legs - danger averted.
Eikmeyer keeping moving, preventing Juravlev from controlling successfully.

Eikmeyer working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Juravlev has passed into half guard!
Juravlev is keen to just control but Eikmeyer is a slippery customer.
Juravlev tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Eikmeyer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Juravlev controlling the pace.

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.
Juravlev's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Eikmeyer actively working from the bottom here.

Eikmeyer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Eikmeyer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Juravlev pulls his head out easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Eikmeyer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Eikmeyer is breathing heavily.
Juravlev wants to stand up but Eikmeyer is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mario Eikmeyer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Juravlev throws out a loose jab but Eikmeyer uses good head movement to avoid it.
A punch lands to the side of Eikmeyer 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Eikmeyer drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Juravlev is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Juravlev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Eikmeyer.
Eikmeyer working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Eikmeyer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Eikmeyer is working for a submission of some sort.
Juravlev tries to roll over but Eikmeyer keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Eikmeyer is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Juravlev has managed to free his arm - good work.

Eikmeyer is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Eikmeyer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eikmeyer is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Juravlev has managed to free his arm - good work.
Juravlev preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Juravlev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Eikmeyer stops Juravlev from standing up.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Juravlev manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Juravlev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Eikmeyer is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Juravlev is defending well.
Juravlev is pressed up against the cage. Eikmeyer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Juravlev down to the mat. Juravlev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Eikmeyer manages to avoid it.

Eikmeyer looking to score a takedown here. Juravlev is defending well but Eikmeyer drives through and ends up in Juravlev's guard.
Juravlev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Eikmeyer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Juravlev is controlling Eikmeyer's posture.
Eikmeyer prevents Juravlev from getting back to his feet.
Juravlev 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.
Juravlev is pulling down on Eikmeyer's head. It's preventing any offense from Eikmeyer, at least for the moment.
Eikmeyer looking to pass the guard.
Eikmeyer preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eikmeyer postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Eikmeyer missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Juravlev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Eikmeyer working for submissions but it's allowed Juravlev to get to half guard.
Juravlev wants to stand but Eikmeyer has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Juravlev is taking a breather. Eikmeyer 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.

Eikmeyer looking for submissions off his back.

Eikmeyer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Juravlev pulls his head out easily.
Juravlev is pressing down on Eikmeyer's thigh, looking to free his foot. Eikmeyer is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev content to control rather than advance.
Further stalling from Juravlev.

Eikmeyer actively working from the bottom here.
Juravlev is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Eikmeyer actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Juravlev seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Eikmeyer actively working from the bottom here.
Eikmeyer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Juravlev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Juravlev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 29:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!