PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Moltov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bariga Marihuanich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marihuanich is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: CANNABIS. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Moltov
vs
Marihuanich

190 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

175 cm
28
175 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Moltov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bariga Marihuanich!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Illya Tyunina and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moltov throws a head kick that misses

and Marihuanich counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Moltov tries to roll over but Marihuanich keeps him under control.
Marihuanich wants to pass to mount but Moltov is defending the position.
Moltov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Moltov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Moltov.
Moltov keeping moving, preventing Marihuanich from controlling successfully.
Marihuanich throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Moltov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Marihuanich won't allow Moltov to get back to his feet.
Marihuanich trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marihuanich trying to control the position from guard on top but Moltov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Marihuanich has gone for a leg lock! Moltov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Marihuanich's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marihuanich not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moltov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Moltov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Marihuanich on the ground.
Moltov won't allow Marihuanich to sweep him here.

Marihuanich is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Moltov tries to stand but Marihuanich is controlling from the bottom.
Marihuanich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moltov 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.
Marihuanich is trying to keep Moltov in close.
Marihuanich might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Moltov kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Marihuanich looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Moltov passes into half guard.
Marihuanich moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Marihuanich tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marihuanich is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Moltov trying to control but Marihuanich is working from the bottom.

Marihuanich working for a triangle but Moltov defends it easily.
Marihuanich is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moltov trying to control the position from guard on top but Marihuanich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Moltov wants to get up but he can't break Marihuanich's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Moltov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ivan Moltov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Moltov misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Moltov dips to his left and cracks Marihuanich with an uppercut!
Nice sprawl there from Moltov as Marihuanich shoots in.
Moltov misses with a few strikes there.
Donk. Moltov catches Marihuanich right on the button with a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bariga Marihuanich will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Marihuanich avoids a punch combination nicely.
Moltov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Moltov.
Moltov misses with a two punch combination.
Moltov throws a leg kick but Marihuanich sees it coming and moves out of range.
Moltov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Marihuanich.
Moltov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Moltov throws a series of punches but Marihuanich moves out of range.
Moltov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Marihuanich.
Marihuanich avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nice jab there from Moltov.
Moltov throws a lazy head kick

and Marihuanich counters with a single leg into guard. Moltov didn't expect that.

Marihuanich thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bariga Marihuanich has got the better of the ground game so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marihuanich trying to control but Moltov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marihuanich is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Moltov 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marihuanich wants to control from the top but Moltov keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bariga Marihuanich was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Marihuanich takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Moltov stalks Marihuanich and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Marihuanich's face. Marihuanich staggers backwards, shaken.
Moltov throws a body kick the misses

and Marihuanich counters with a shoot takedown. Moltov fights it but they end up in guard.
Moltov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marihuanich looking to sit in guard and control but Moltov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Moltov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Marihuanich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Moltov stands and throws Marihuanich's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Marihuanich can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marihuanich is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Moltov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Marihuanich desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marihuanich is trying to get back to full guard.
Marihuanich manages to get to full guard.
Marihuanich controls Moltov momentarily but Moltov frees himself.
Moltov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Marihuanich wants to get back to his feet but Moltov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moltov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Ivan Moltov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Marihuanich moves in looking to clinch but Moltov pushes him off.
Moltov throws a body kick that misses.
Ivan Moltov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Moltov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Moltov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Marihuanich has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moltov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Marihuanich.
Marihuanich needs to keep his hands up - Moltov had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice uppercut lands for Moltov. That snapped Marihuanich's head back.
Moltov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Marihuanich circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Moltov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Marihuanich takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Marihuanich shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Moltov defends it nicely.
Moltov looks to land a body kick but Marihuanich moved away.
Marihuanich looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Moltov tries a head kick but it misses.
Moltov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Marihuanich takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Moltov clobbers Marihuanich with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Moltov misses with a few strikes there.
Marihuanich misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ivan Moltov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bariga Marihuanich.
Marihuanich takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Moltov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marihuanich dives in and grabs Moltov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Moltov pushes down on Marihuanich's head and hops out.
Ivan Moltov is winning the standup battle so far.
Marihuanich shoots in for a takedown but Moltov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Moltov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Moltov tries a head kick but it misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marihuanich.
Marihuanich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A right-left combo lands from Moltov.
Marihuanich closes the distance and clinches up with Moltov, looking for a takedown. Marihuanich pushes Moltov against the cage but Moltov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Moltov scores with a jab. Marihuanich acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Marihuanich dodges the punch combination from Moltov.
Marihuanich moves out of range of the body kick.
Moltov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Moltov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Moltov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marihuanich shoots in for a takedown but Moltov shows good takedown defense.
Marihuanich shoots for a double leg takedown but Moltov sprawls well. He's pushed Marihuanich's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Marihuanich throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Moltov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Marihuanich is in Moltov's 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!
Marihuanich with a flurry of punches that miss.
Moltov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Moltov wants to stand and escape but Marihuanich is having none of it.

Marihuanich drops back looking for a leg! Moltov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Moltov manages to kick Marihuanich off! Marihuanich jumps back into Moltov's guard.
Marihuanich pushes down on Moltov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Moltov won't allow Marihuanich to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Marihuanich there.
Marihuanich winds up and cracks Moltov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Marihuanich is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Moltov tries to buck Marihuanich off but he can't manage it.

Marihuanich with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Moltov wants to hold on but Marihuanich pushes him away.
Marihuanich trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Marihuanich jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Moltov is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Moltov and Marihuanich has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Marihuanich has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Moltov is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Marihuanich yanks on the arm and Moltov is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Marihuanich.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Bariga Marihuanich!
In his post fight interview, Bariga Marihuanich started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.