PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Merit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Eliseev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Merit
vs
Eliseev

192 cm
19
245 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

203 cm
22
242 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mike Merit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michael Eliseev!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Vladimir Khabensky and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merit closes this distance looking for a takedown but Eliseev circles away.

Eliseev rushes Merit and presses him up against the cage.
Eliseev tries to stall but Merit uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Eliseev lands a right hand that snaps the head of Merit backwards.
Merit has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Eliseev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Merit has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Eliseev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Merit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eliseev lands with a light punch inside.

Eliseev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Merit is looking to clinch.
Eliseev tries to clinch up

and Merit counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Eliseev's guard now.
Eliseev is looking to stand up but Merit isn't so interested in that idea.

Eliseev manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Merit is breathing heavily.

Eliseev gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Merit to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Eliseev has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Merit off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Eliseev darts in trying to clinch

and Merit counters with a single leg into guard. Eliseev didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eliseev manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Eliseev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Merit counters with an outside leg kick.
Eliseev looks to clinch

and Merit counters by moving into the clinch.
Eliseev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Eliseev breaks the clinch.
Michael Eliseev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Merit tries to close the distance and clinch but Eliseev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Eliseev closes the distance looking to clinch

and Merit counters by clinching up.
Eliseev misses with a punch on the inside.
Merit takes a knee right on the jaw!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Eliseev.
Eliseev misses with some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Eliseev.
Eliseev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Merit blocking some punches.
Eliseev misses with a knee to the head.
Eliseev misses with a knee to the head.

Eliseev breaks from the clinch.
Eliseev is looking to clinch but Merit is avoiding it.
Merit throws a sloppy head kick and Eliseev moves out of range easily.
Eliseev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Merit counters with a left and a right that stings Eliseev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eliseev wants to clinch but Merit slips to the side

and Merit counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Eliseev pushes Merit off and scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eliseev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merit swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Merit avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Eliseev tries to clinch but Merit moves out of range.
Eliseev doesn't manage to clinch there - Merit circles away.
Merit tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Eliseev was well out of range. Poor timing from Merit.
Eliseev fails in his attempt to clinch.

Eliseev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Merit blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Eliseev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Eliseev moves in looking to clinch but Merit pushes him off.

Merit shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Merit showed some decent athleticism there.
Eliseev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Merit knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Eliseev on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merit stops Eliseev from standing up.
Merit seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Merit wants to stand but Eliseev is controlling his posture from full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merit won't allow Eliseev to sweep him here.

Eliseev uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Eliseev wants to clinch

and Merit counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Merit.

That's four 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.
Eliseev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Merit backwards.
A short left from Eliseev.
Eliseev lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Eliseev lands a hook to the side of the head.
Eliseev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Merit wants to break the clinch but can't.
Eliseev swings wildly with an uppercut but Merit uses good head movement to avoid it.

Merit manages to break the clinch.

Eliseev clinches with his opponent.
Merit is trying to break free.
Eliseev lands a nice uppercut.
Eliseev lands with a left to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Merit takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Eliseev stalling the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A short left from Eliseev.
Merit working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Eliseev breaks from the clinch.
Eliseev wants to clinch but Merit slips to the side
and Merit counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Eliseev tries to clinch up
and Merit counters with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Merit dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Eliseev moves in looking to clinch but Merit pushes him off.
Mike Merit is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Eliseev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Eliseev tries to clinch up.
Eliseev tries to clinch up.
Eliseev tries to close the distance and clinch but Merit swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Eliseev tries to clinch up.
Eliseev tries to clinch but Merit moves away
and Merit counters with a two punch combo.
Merit circles away from the clinch attempt

and Merit counters with a takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eliseev throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Eliseev sneaks back into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Merit prevents Eliseev from improving his position.
Eliseev is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merit content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Eliseev kicks Merit off and gets back to his feet.
Merit throws a jab when Eliseev was well out of range.
Eliseev closes the distance but Merit moves to the side

and Merit counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Merit.

Eliseev has picked Merit up - he's going for a ride! Eliseev dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Eliseev gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Eliseev wants to clinch but Merit slips to the side

and Merit counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Merit escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Eliseev looks to clinch
and Merit counters with a two punch combo.
Eliseev wants to clinch but Merit slips to the side

and Merit counters by clinching up.
Eliseev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Merit's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eliseev tries to clinch up
and Merit counters with a nice leg kick.

Merit shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Eliseev is trying to stand.

Eliseev makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
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!
Merit displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Merit circles away from the clinch attempt

and Merit counters by moving into the clinch.
Merit blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Merit tightens his grip and picks Eliseev up, before dumping him to the ground. Eliseev manages to land in guard.
Eliseev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Merit manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Eliseev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Merit, up you get!
Eliseev tries to clinch up
and Merit counters with a nice leg kick.
Eliseev wants to clinch but Merit slips to the side

and Merit counters with a shoot takedown. Eliseev fights it but they end up in guard.
Merit has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Eliseev wants to stand up but Merit is controlling him.

Eliseev has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Merit off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Eliseev tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Merit counters by moving into the clinch.
Eliseev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Merit's efforts to push away.
Eliseev throws a head punch that misses.
Merit blocks an uppercut.
Eliseev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Eliseev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Merit backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eliseev throws a head punch that misses.
Merit misses with a knee strike.
Eliseev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Eliseev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Eliseev working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Eliseev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Merit backwards.
Merit is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Eliseev pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Eliseev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Eliseev looks to clinch
and Merit counters with a three punch combo that has Eliseev backing up. Eliseev nods at Merit to acknowledge the strikes.
Eliseev darts in trying to clinch

and Merit counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Merit working over Eliseev with some ground and pound. Eliseev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Eliseev kicks off Merit and gets to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Eliseev wants to clinch but Merit slips to the side
and Merit counters with a head kick. That will keep Eliseev thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Eliseev clinches but Merit breaks the clinch
and Merit counters with a one-two to the body.
Merit throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Eliseev.
Eliseev wants to clinch

and Merit counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Merit dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Eliseev darts in trying to clinch
and Merit counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Eliseev drives through and clinches with Merit against the cage.
Eliseev is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Merit is keeping busy.
Eliseev slows down the pace here.
Merit blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Eliseev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Eliseev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Merit blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eliseev wants to stall.
Eliseev looking to throw knees to the head but Merit is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Eliseev misses with a knee strike.
Eliseev gets underhooks to prevent Merit's takedown attempt.
Merit blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Merit has Eliseev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Eliseev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eliseev jumps guard but Merit stands there with Eliseev around his waist. Eliseev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Eliseev trying to stall but Merit improves his position.
Merit goes for a takedown attempt but Eliseev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Merit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eliseev tries to clinch but Merit moves out of range.
Merit misses with a head kick.
Eliseev wants to clinch

and Merit holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Eliseev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Eliseev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Eliseev is trying to break the clinch but Merit is controlling him.

Merit manages to pull guard.

Eliseev gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Eliseev slips under a jab.

Eliseev pushes Merit up against the cage in a clinch.
Eliseev has Merit pressed against the cage, preventing Merit from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Eliseev cracks Merit with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merit blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Eliseev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Merit has Eliseev up against the cage in a clinch.
Merit goes for a takedown attempt but Eliseev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Eliseev closes the distance but Merit moves to the side

and Merit counters by clinching up.

Eliseev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Eliseev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Eliseev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Merit to score with a decent uppercut.
Merit misses with a takedown attempt - Eliseev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Eliseev closes the distance but Merit moves to the side

and Merit counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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!
Merit trying to mount his opponent but Eliseev defends it.
Merit wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Eliseev uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

Eliseev uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merit throws a right and a left that both miss.
Eliseev tries to clinch

and Merit counters with a takedown into side control.
Eliseev gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Merit prevents Eliseev from improving his position.
Eliseev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Eliseev wriggles free and stands up.
Merit fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Eliseev tries to clinch but Merit moves away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eliseev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Eliseev looks to clinch

and Merit counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Merit stands up from Eliseev's guard - Merit perhaps looking for a knockout.
Merit circles away from the clinch attempt.
A left and a right from Merit both land. Nice combination.
Eliseev tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Merit counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Merit wants to pass the guard but Eliseev is keeping the position.
Merit stops Eliseev from standing up.
Michael Eliseev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eliseev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Merit manages to get himself to full guard.
Eliseev wanted to stand there but Merit had control of the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Merit showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Merit 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Merit!