PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Molotov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hector Echavarria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Molotov
vs
Echavarria

193 cm
18
227 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ivan Molotov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hector Echavarria!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Anthony Taglia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Molotov tries for a takedown but Echavarria sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Molotov shoots in for a takedown but Echavarria shows good takedown defense.
Molotov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Echavarria sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Molotov somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Molotov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Molotov lands a high kick!
Echavarria should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Echavarria avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Echavarria stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Echavarria wants it to stay on the feet.
Echavarria circles away from the clinch attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Molotov.
Molotov looks to land a combination but Echavarria avoids it well.

Molotov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Echavarria, pushing him back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Echavarria looking for a takedown.
Molotov is trying to break the clinch but Echavarria is controlling him.
Molotov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Echavarria tries to pull guard but Molotov holds him up against the cage and eventually Echavarria drops back down to his feet.
Molotov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Echavarrias head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Echavarria can't get the takedown.
Echavarria looks gassed!
Echavarria can't get the takedown.
Molotov looking for a takedown.

Molotov manages to break the clinch.
Molotov tries to clinch there but Echavarria circles away.
Molotov closes the distance and clinches up with Echavarria, looking for a takedown. Molotov pushes Echavarria against the cage but Echavarria circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Molotov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Molotov is looking to clinch but Echavarria is avoiding it.
Molotov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Molotov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Echavarria paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Echavarria feints and as Molotov raises his hands in defense, Echavarria changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Molotov 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.

Echavarria drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Echavarria jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Molotov 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.
Molotov trying to keep a closed guard but Echavarria is proving a slippery customer.

Echavarria drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Molotov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Echavarria has Molotov in his guard.
Molotov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Echavarria is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Molotov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Molotov wants to get up but he can't break Echavarria's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Echavarria has his foot on Molotov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Molotov works his way back into a safe position though.
Molotov tries to stand but Echavarria is controlling from the bottom.
Molotov connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four 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.
Echavarria has a closed guard, preventing Molotov from standing up.
Echavarria keeping full guard, as Molotov tries to pass.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Echavarria circles away from the clinch attempt.
Molotov misses with a takedown

and Echavarria counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Echavarria is looking for a kimura but Molotov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Echavarria to get the leverage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Echavarria is thwarting Molotov's attempts to control the position.

Echavarria is trying to work for a kimura but Molotov is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ivan Molotov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Echavarria looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Molotov!
Molotov trying desperately to get to his feet.

Echavarria stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Molotov closes the distance and clinches.
Echavarria stops a takedown attempt from Molotov.
Molotov lands an elbow that stopped Echavarria in his tracks for a moment.
Molotov slowing the pace effectively.
Molotov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Echavarria prevents it.
Molotov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Echavarria just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Molotov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Echavarria is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Molotov is defending well for now.

Molotov gets control of Echavarria's arms and successfully pulls guard. Molotov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Molotov is looking to stand back up but Echavarria counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Molotov.

Echavarria decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Echavarria decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Echavarria stops Molotov from getting back to his feet.
Echavarria frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Echavarria looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Echavarria avoids the attempt from Molotov to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Echavarria looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Molotov is looking to improve his position but Echavarria isn't that keen on the idea.
Molotov tries to improve his position but instead Echavarria has taken his back!
Molotov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Echavarria is trying to stick to Molotov's back but Molotov is turning into Echavarria. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Echavarria's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Molotov.
Echavarria striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Molotov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Echavarria works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Echavarria throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Echavarria had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Molotov is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Echavarria Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Molotov's back instead.
Molotov is really stuck here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Echavarria working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Molotov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Echavarria.

Molotov fending off the submission attempt from Echavarria.

Molotov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Echavarria gets his way!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Echavarria showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Molotov has his takedown stuffed

and Echavarria decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Molotov's guard.
Echavarria tries to free his leg and advance position but Molotov is retaining full guard.

Echavarria is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Molotov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Echavarria's guard.
Molotov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Echavarria looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Molotov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Echavarria keeping moving, preventing Molotov from controlling successfully.

Echavarria throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Molotov trying to control the position from guard on top but Echavarria is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Echavarria looking for a guillotine here but Molotov defends easily.

Echavarria is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Molotov is aware though and is defending well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Molotov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Molotov blocks the strikes from Echavarria.
Echavarria is not content to let Molotov control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Molotov tries to move to mount but Echavarria blocks the move with his legs.

Molotov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Echavarria, who protects the arm well.

Molotov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Echavarria has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Molotov but great work by Echavarria.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Molotov is looking for a sweep.

Echavarria tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Echavarria has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Echavarria working away.
Molotov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector Echavarria comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Echavarria has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hector Echavarria!