PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frank Esposito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Itof Meyachev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Meyachev is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Pussy by Rammstein. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Esposito
vs
Meyachev

178 cm
24
182 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

172 cm
29
174 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Powerful

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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Esposito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Itof Meyachev!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esposito takes one to the chin there.
Meyachev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Esposito counters with a nice uppercut.
Meyachev tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Esposito to counter with a crisp jab.
Meyachev tries for a takedown but Esposito circles away easily
and Esposito connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Itof Meyachev has been cut.
Meyachev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Meyachev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Meyachev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Frank Esposito has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Meyachev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Esposito connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Meyachev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Esposito counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Meyachev with a poor takedown
and Esposito counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Frank Esposito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Itof Meyachev.
Meyachev throws a lazy head kick
and Esposito counters with a stiff right hand.

Meyachev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Esposito tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Meyachev is in Esposito's guard.
Meyachev looks gassed!
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Meyachev from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meyachev trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Esposito manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Esposito has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Esposito stays in close to Meyachev's body and controls the position.

Meyachev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Esposito is aware though and is defending well.
Esposito wants to pass the guard but Meyachev is keeping the position.
Esposito wants to stand but Meyachev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Meyachev is trying to keep Esposito in close.
Meyachev wants to get back to his feet but Esposito is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two 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.
Meyachev trying to control the position.
Esposito is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Esposito.
Itof Meyachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esposito scores with a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Esposito.
Esposito paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Esposito cracks a nice hook into Meyachev's ribs.
Esposito connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Esposito throws a nice outside leg kick.
Esposito lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Esposito is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A solid leg kick lands there for Esposito.
Esposito dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Meyachev. That did some damage!
A nice inside leg kick there by Esposito. That's going to slow Meyachev down.
Esposito lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Esposito closes the distance and pushes Meyachev back into the cage.
Esposito controlling the action here for a moment.
Esposito lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Meyachev.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Meyachev goes for a takedown attempt but Esposito pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A good leg kick by Esposito.
Esposito pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A shot to the liver by Esposito. Beautiful body shot.
Esposito moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Esposito feints and then cracks Meyachev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Meyachev down.
Esposito turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Esposito misses with a low kick as Meyachev jumps back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito connects with a solid leg kick.
Esposito fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Meyachev.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esposito is looking to score with low kicks.
Esposito with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Meyachev drops his hands momentarily and Esposito takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Meyachev tries to clinch but Esposito moves away
and Esposito cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Esposito connects with an inside leg kick.
Esposito clobbers Meyachev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Esposito thuds a left hand into Meyachev's body.
Esposito with a hook.
Meyachev chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Esposito can pounce on him.
Esposito with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Meyachev tries to clinch but Esposito moves away
and Esposito counters with a nice kick to the body.
Meyachev tries to clinch
and Meyachev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Meyachev on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Frank Esposito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Esposito dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Meyachev. That did some damage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Esposito dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A slapping leg kick lands for Esposito.
Meyachev darts in trying to clinch
and Esposito counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A good leg kick by Esposito.
Meyachev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esposito. Esposito obviously looking to wear him down.
An inside leg kick lands from Esposito.
Esposito scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Both fighters circling a little - Esposito finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Esposito cracks Meyachev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Esposito throws a leg kick which misses Meyachev's front leg but catches the back leg as Meyachev tries to avoid it.
Esposito works the jab nicely.
Esposito lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Meyachev blocks a low kick nicely.
Esposito is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Meyachev can do to turn this around?
Esposito throws a nice outside leg kick.
Esposito with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito throws a leg kick which misses Meyachev's front leg but catches the back leg as Meyachev tries to avoid it.
Meyachev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Esposito sizes up Meyachev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Esposito connects with an inside leg kick.
Esposito goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Itof Meyachev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A chopping leg kick lands by Esposito.
Meyachev tries to clinch but Esposito moves away
and Esposito counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Esposito scores with a leg kick.
Esposito feints and then cracks Meyachev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Meyachev down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Esposito. That's going to slow Meyachev down.
Esposito throws a leg kick that misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Esposito.

Esposito closes the distance and clinches.
Esposito blocks the elbow strike.
Esposito blocking some punches.
Esposito lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meyachev is trying to drag Esposito to the mat but Esposito just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A nice left hand lands by Esposito.
Esposito is stalling here.
Meyachev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Meyachev is working for takedown but Esposito is calmly controlling the position for now.
Esposito putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Meyachev in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Esposito.
Meyachev stalling in the clinch but Esposito improves position.
Esposito lands a right hand that snaps the head of Meyachev backwards.
Esposito landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Meyachev jumps guard but Esposito stands there with Meyachev around his waist. Meyachev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Frank Esposito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Itof Meyachev.
Esposito throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Meyachevs head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Esposito blocks a body shot from Meyachev.
Esposito lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Esposito comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Esposito stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Meyachev lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito controlling the action here for a moment.
Esposito working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Come on Esposito - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Esposito is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Meyachev is defending well for now.
Meyachev fails to pull guard.
Meyachev has had enough of the clinch but Esposito keeps him there for the moment.
Meyachev tries to pull guard but Esposito holds him up against the cage and eventually Meyachev drops back down to his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Meyachev.
Meyachev misses with some punches.
Esposito has Meyachev pushed against the cage.
Meyachev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Esposito landing knees to the body.
Esposito taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Meyachev has Esposito pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Meyachev pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Esposito tumbling to the mat - Meyachev dives into Esposito's guard.
Meyachev wants to control from the top but Esposito keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Meyachev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Esposito looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Esposito looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Esposito!
Esposito in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Esposito decides to stand up, so the ref orders Meyachev to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Esposito dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Esposito drives through and clinches with Meyachev against the cage.
Meyachev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Meyachev can't get the takedown.
Esposito scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Esposito lands a nice uppercut.
Meyachev throws a head punch that misses.
Esposito lands with a right to the head.
Meyachev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Esposito - that landed with a thud.
Meyachev throws an elbow but it misses.
Esposito creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Meyachev's defenses.
Esposito's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Meyachev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Esposito lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Meyachev takes an elbow to the temple.
Esposito content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Meyachev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Esposito just stands there and leans against the cage.
Meyachev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Esposito lands a right hand that snaps the head of Meyachev backwards.
Esposito is leaning against Meyachev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Meyachev fails to land.
Esposito lands a knee to the head.
Esposito is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Esposito lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Meyachev backwards.
Esposito avoids a wild elbow strike from Meyachev.
Esposito leaning his opponent against the cage.
Esposito lands with a right to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Esposito.
Meyachev's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Esposito is pressed up against the cage. Meyachev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Esposito down to the mat. Esposito avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Frank Esposito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Itof Meyachev.
Meyachev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Esposito connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Esposito throws a nice inside leg kick.
Meyachev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Esposito counters with a nice low kick that buckles Meyachev's knee momentarily.
Esposito thumps Meyachev with a low kick.
Esposito with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Esposito lands with a thumping leg kick.
Esposito scores with a kick to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esposito pushes Meyachev away with a front kick.
Good leg kick by Esposito there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Esposito pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Meyachev with a poor takedown
and Esposito counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Esposito scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Meyachev checks a leg kick.
Meyachev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Esposito is fending him off so far but Meyachev persists. Nope, Esposito circles away and we're back to standing.
Esposito connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito thumps Meyachev with a low kick.
Esposito throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Meyachev with a poor takedown
and Esposito cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Esposito scores with a jab. Meyachev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Meyachev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Esposito counters with an inside leg kick.
Esposito scoring well with a low kick there.
Meyachev darts in trying to clinch
and Esposito counters with a nice kick to the body.
Esposito connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Meyachev gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Esposito connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Frank Esposito is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Esposito circles away from the clinch attempt
and Esposito counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meyachev closes the distance but Esposito moves to the side
and Esposito makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Esposito.
Meyachev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Esposito counters with a solid body kick.
Itof Meyachev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Meyachev shoots and misses
and Esposito counters with a nice kick to the body.
Meyachev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esposito. Esposito obviously looking to wear him down.
Esposito dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Meyachev. That did some damage!
Meyachev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Esposito.
Esposito scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Good leg kick by Esposito there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A chopping leg kick lands by Esposito.
Esposito throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Esposito fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Esposito thumps Meyachev with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Esposito showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Esposito, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:26
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Esposito!