PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Vasilevskiy (ranked 1173 p4p, 151 weight class) and Jack Merel (ranked 2051 p4p, 242 weight class). Merel has chosen Laura Tesoro - Higher as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Vasilevskiy
vs
Merel

180 cm
23
183 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

181 cm
25
177 lbs
7 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Pit Bull Development
Sully's Bar & Grill

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrei Vasilevskiy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Merel!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasilevskiy on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Merel. Merel obviously looking to wear him down.
Merel throws a predictable looking body shot
and Vasilevskiy counters with a stiff right hand.
Vasilevskiy blocks a low kick nicely.
A good leg kick by Merel.
Merel has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Vasilevskiy slips a jab from Merel.
Vasilevskiy throws a quick counter kick to the body but Merel avoids it.
Merel misses with a low kick.
A little feinted left hand from Vasilevskiy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Merel jabs Vasilevskiy right on the nose. Vasilevskiy blinks but takes it well.
Merel lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Merel throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Merel, right into the meat.
Merel scores with a leg kick.
Vasilevskiy misses with a wild body shot.
Merel throws a big shot that misses.
Merel circles away from the clinch attempt
and Merel counters with an outside leg kick.
Merel misses with a low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice uppercut lands for Merel. That snapped Vasilevskiy's head back.
A punch combination from Merel misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merel connects with a single shot there.

Merel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vasilevskiy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vasilevskiy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Merel throws an elbow but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Merel.
Vasilevskiy lands a nice shot to the body.
Vasilevskiy tries to pull guard but Merel won't allow it.
Merel lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Vasilevskiy misses with a punch to the body.
Vasilevskiy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Merel lands with a left to the head.

Vasilevskiy jumps guard.
Merel looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Merel trying to control the position from guard on top but Vasilevskiy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasilevskiy manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Merel manages to get himself to full guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Merel is adopting a defensive guard.
Merel keeping moving, preventing Vasilevskiy from controlling successfully.

Vasilevskiy drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Merel manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vasilevskiy has Merel in his guard.

Merel got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vasilevskiy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Merel has managed to get both his arms back between Vasilevskiy's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasilevskiy being controlled here, momentarily.
Merel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vasilevskiy is keeping the position for now.
Merel sitting in guard here, content to control.
Vasilevskiy trying to keep a closed guard but Merel is proving a slippery customer.
Merel wants to pass the guard but Vasilevskiy is keeping the position.
Merel trying to move into half guard but instead Vasilevskiy has managed to sweep!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Vasilevskiy wants to control from the top but Merel keeps moving.

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

Merel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Merel prevents Vasilevskiy from getting back to his feet.
Merel advances to half guard.
Merel trying to control from half guard but Vasilevskiy is working away.
Merel performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Vasilevskiy moves into the clinch.
Merel misses with some punches.
Vasilevskiy is trying to pull guard but Merel has him pressed against the cage.
Vasilevskiy tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Merel smiles and moves away.
Vasilevskiy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Merel moves away.
Merel wants to counter with a clinch but Vasilevskiy pushes him away.
Merel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab from Merel misses.

Vasilevskiy rushes Merel and presses him up against the cage.
Vasilevskiy scores with a shoulder strike.
Vasilevskiy jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Merel walks away with a smile on his face. Vasilevskiy gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrei Vasilevskiy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merel throws a leg kick but Vasilevskiy sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merel with a hook.
Vasilevskiy throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Merel counters with a right hand to the body.
Vasilevskiy looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Merel connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vasilevskiy's hands.
Merel darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vasilevskiy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vasilevskiy closes the distance and clinches.
Vasilevskiy lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Merel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Merel misses with a knee to the head.
Merel lands with a light punch inside.
Vasilevskiy is trying to pull guard but Merel turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Vasilevskiy.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Merel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Merel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vasilevskiy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Merel lands an uppercut.
Vasilevskiy blocks an uppercut.
Merel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Merel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merel lands a hook that snaps the head of Vasilevskiy backwards.

Vasilevskiy is rocked!
Merel misses with a punch to the body.
Merel pushes Vasilevskiy back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Oh Vasilevskiy is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Vasilevskiy tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Merel smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merel cracks Vasilevskiy with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Vasilevskiy moves to clinch but Merel breaks away
and Merel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vasilevskiy is looking to clinch but Merel is avoiding it.
Nice straight punches there by Merel. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Merel.
Merel looks to land a combination but Vasilevskiy avoids it well.
Merel throws a shot to the body.
Vasilevskiy seems to have got his legs back now.
Merel looks to land a left hand but Vasilevskiy moved out of range nicely.
Vasilevskiy is looking to clinch.
Vasilevskiy sets himself, and Merel steps forward looking for the clinch! Vasilevskiy avoids it this time.
Vasilevskiy 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.
Jack Merel seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Vasilevskiy rushes Merel and presses him up against the cage.
Vasilevskiy tries to pull guard but Merel forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Merel.
Merel tries a body shot but Vasilevskiy blocks it.
Jack Merel seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Vasilevskiy blocks a body shot from Merel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merel working aggressively here.
Merel is working Vasilevskiy over against the cage.
Merel misses with a punch on the inside.
Merel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vasilevskiy jumps guard but Merel turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Merel makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Merel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vasilevskiy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Merel swings wildly with an uppercut but Vasilevskiy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Merel swings wildly with an uppercut but Vasilevskiy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Merel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Merel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vasilevskiy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Merel tries a knee to the head but Vasilevskiy blocks it.
Vasilevskiy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vasilevskiy takes an elbow to the temple.
Merel cracks Vasilevskiy with a nice body shot.
Merel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vasilevskiy's elbow.
Merel pushes off an throws an elbow but Vasilevskiy leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Merel throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vasilevskiy drags the fight down to the ground.
Vasilevskiy wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Merel not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Merel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vasilevskiy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merel stays in close to Vasilevskiy's body and controls the position.
Merel wants to pass the guard but Vasilevskiy is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Merel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Merel, right into the meat.
Vasilevskiy walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Merel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Merel scores with a crisp jab that stopped Vasilevskiy in his tracks.
That kick from Merel tenderised Vasilevskiy's leg. Vasilevskiy is trying to keep his angry face on.
Merel with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Merel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice shot lands for Merel.
Vasilevskiy looks to score with a jab to the body but Merel is just out of range.
Merel misses with a two punch combination.
Vasilevskiy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Merel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merel swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vasilevskiy.
Merel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Vasilevskiy on the side of the head.

Merel fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Vasilevskiy, pushing him back against the cage.
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!
Vasilevskiy takes a shot to the head.
Vasilevskiy tries to throw a body punch but Merel avoids it by throwing Vasilevskiy back against the cage.
Merel softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vasilevskiy.
Merel swings wildly with an uppercut but Vasilevskiy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Merel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Vasilevskiy has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Merel uses from the top position.
Merel trying to control the position from guard on top but Vasilevskiy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jack Merel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Merel showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Vasilevskiy pulls Merel in close to prevent any damage.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merel tries to free his leg and advance position but Vasilevskiy is retaining full guard.
Vasilevskiy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Merel's guard.

Merel keeping moving, preventing Vasilevskiy from controlling successfully.
Merel pulls Vasilevskiy in to control the position.
Vasilevskiy wants to control from the top but Merel keeps moving.

Vasilevskiy has gone for a leg lock! Merel slips out almost immediately though and dives into Vasilevskiy's guard.

Vasilevskiy wants to get back to his feet but Merel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merel won't allow Vasilevskiy to sweep him here.

Vasilevskiy has his feet on Merel's thighs here. He's pushed Merel off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Merel screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Andrei Vasilevskiy!
After the fight, Andrei Vasilevskiy was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.