PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Grigory Merkulov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Iago Martins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Merkulov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Моя Игра. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Merkulov
vs
Martins

192 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Grigory Merkulov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Iago Martins!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Bart Greer and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martins shoots in for a takedown but Merkulov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Merkulov connects with a nice looking jab.
Merkulov lands with an uppercut that bounces Martins off the cage and back into range.
Merkulov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Martins under the eye.
Merkulov throws out a powerful jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Merkulov. That snapped Martins's head back.
Martins tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Merkulov defends well and Martins ends up having to push Merkulov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Martins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Merkulov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Martins somewhat.
Grigory Merkulov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Iago Martins.
Merkulov lands with a good body shot.
Martins takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Merkulov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Martins's hands.
Merkulov scores with a nice strike.
Martins fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merkulov scores with the left hand. Martins knows he should have avoided that one.
Martins is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Martins on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Martins goes for a double leg but Merkulov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Merkulov continues to drive forward.
Merkulov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Grigory Merkulov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Martins shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Merkulov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Martins feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Martins trying to control but Merkulov is working from the bottom.
Martins slips nicely into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Martins frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martins wants to take Merkulov's back here but Merkulov is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Martins wants to finish this one by submission but Merkulov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Martins.

Martins is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Merkulov is surviving well by controlling Martins's body position as best he can.

Martins working for a submission but Merkulov is keeping him at bay.
Merkulov is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Martins working for a guillotine from mount but Merkulov is in no mood to give up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Martins jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Merkulov manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Martins trying to control the position but Merkulov is working away.
Martins advances nicely into full mount.

Martins is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Merkulov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Martins can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Merkulov is looking to escape.

Martins is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Martins extends the arm and Merkulov is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Iago Martins!