PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dagestan Opasevich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edinson Meireles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Opasevich comes to the cage accompanied by Мурад Гусев. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Opasevich
vs
Meireles

183 cm
23
185 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

172 cm
27
180 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dagestan Opasevich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Edinson Meireles!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Matheus Silva and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Opasevich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Meireles throws a shot from downtown. Opasevich moves away and avoids it.
Meireles scores with a sloppy right hand. Opasevich should have avoided that one.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Meireles.
Opasevich scores with a jab to the body.
Meireles closes the distance and clinches up with Opasevich, looking for a takedown. Meireles pushes Opasevich against the cage but Opasevich circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Opasevich. Meireles does a little dance to reset his feet.
Opasevich throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Meireles stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Opasevich tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Meireles was well out of range. Poor timing from Opasevich.
Meireles shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Opasevich as he jumps to the side.
Dagestan Opasevich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edinson Meireles.
Horrible takedown by Meireles or perhaps it was just good defense by Opasevich which made him look bad.
Meireles has his takedown stuffed
and Opasevich counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Meireles shoots in for a takedown but Opasevich shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Opasevich is looking to wear down Meireles with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Meireles fails with the takedown
and Opasevich counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meireles tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Opasevich swivels and escapes.
Opasevich scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Meireles doesn't seem bothered though.
Meireles looks gassed!
Meireles misses with a takedown attempt
and Opasevich counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Meireles thinking.
Opasevich just misses with a punch to the body.
Meireles tries for a takedown but Opasevich circles away easily
and Opasevich counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Opasevich swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Opasevich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Edinson Meireles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Meireles shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Opasevich as he avoids it easily.
Opasevich fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Meireles manages to avoid it.
Meireles with a lazy takedown attempt
and Opasevich counters with a right hand to the body.
Meireles takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Opasevich misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Opasevich punishes Meireles's body with a nice straight punch.
Opasevich misses with a body shot.
Meireles uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Opasevich.
Meireles doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Opasevich counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Meireles thinking.
Opasevich swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Opasevich swings for the body but Meireles moves out of range.
Meireles misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Opasevich misses with a body shot.
Opasevich misses with a low kick.
Meireles is trying desperately to land a takedown but Opasevich is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Meireles.
Meireles shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Opasevich counters with a nice double leg into side control. Meireles won't be happy with that.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
You can see the frustration on Meireles's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meireles being controlled for a moment.
Meireles manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Opasevich is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Meireles thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Opasevich to regain full guard.
Opasevich keeping moving, preventing Meireles from controlling successfully.
Meireles trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meireles won't allow Opasevich to get back to his feet.

Meireles drops back looking for a leg! Opasevich is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Opasevich manages to kick Meireles off! Meireles jumps back into Opasevich's guard.
Meireles trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Meireles wants to pass the guard but Opasevich is keeping the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Meireles prevents Opasevich from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dagestan Opasevich dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Opasevich looks to land a left hand but Meireles moved out of range nicely.

Meireles throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Opasevich tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Meireles is in Opasevich's guard.
Meireles with a flurry of punches that miss.
Meireles is fighting to break Opasevich's control of his arms but Opasevich is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Meireles passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Meireles looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Opasevich is avoiding damage well.

Meireles tries for a kimura but Opasevich is defending well.
Opasevich is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meireles is looking to take a break and control but Opasevich is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Meireles tries for a kimura but Opasevich is defending well.
The strikes coming from Meireles are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Meireles tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Meireles has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Meireles wants to control for a moment but Opasevich uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Opasevich kicks off Meireles and gets to his feet.
Meireles fails with the takedown.
Opasevich swings for the body but Meireles moves out of range.
Opasevich ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Meireles moves away.
Meireles dives in and grabs Opasevich's left leg, looking for a takedown. Opasevich pushes down on Meireles's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meireles doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Opasevich counters with a three punch combo that has Meireles backing up. Meireles nods at Opasevich to acknowledge the strikes.
Dagestan Opasevich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edinson Meireles.
Meireles gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Opasevich counters with a right hand to the body.
Meireles is breathing heavily.
Opasevich stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Opasevich wants it to stay on the feet.
Opasevich comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Meireles fails with the takedown
and Opasevich counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Dagestan Opasevich is winning the standup battle so far.
Meireles with a lazy takedown attempt
and Opasevich counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Meireles has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Opasevich finds it's way round the side to connect with Meireles's head.
Opasevich looks to score with a jab to the body but Meireles is just out of range.
Opasevich scores with a nice head shot.
Meireles keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Opasevich shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Meireles is trying to defend but Opasevich finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Opasevich slows the pace down in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Meireles is looking to improve his position.
Opasevich working Meireles over with strikes.
Opasevich performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Meireles makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Meireles.
Opasevich sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dagestan Opasevich dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Meireles shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Opasevich counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Meireles tries to roll over but Opasevich keeps him under control.
Meireles manages to get to full guard.
Meireles wants to sweep but no luck.

Meireles is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Opasevich is aware though and is defending well.
Opasevich scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Opasevich stands up from Meireles's guard - Opasevich perhaps looking for a knockout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice sprawl there from Opasevich as Meireles shoots in.
Meireles takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Opasevich throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meireles doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Opasevich counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Dagestan Opasevich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edinson Meireles.
Meireles misses with a takedown attempt

and Opasevich counters with a nice double leg into side control. Meireles won't be happy with that.
Opasevich moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Meireles tries to buck Opasevich off but Opasevich is having none of it.

Opasevich stands up.
Opasevich stuffs the takedown.
Opasevich connects with a body shot that sends Meireles's belly button to the back.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Meireles is defended easily by Opasevich.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Opasevich takes a swing at Meireles's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Opasevich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Opasevich stuffs the takedown.
Opasevich misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Meireles.
Meireles fails with the takedown.
Opasevich misses with a body shot.
Dagestan Opasevich is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Opasevich stuffs the takedown.
Nice body punch from Opasevich.
Meireles looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Opasevich swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Edinson Meireles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meireles misses with a takedown attempt - Opasevich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Opasevich swings for the body but Meireles moves out of range.
Meireles misses with a takedown attempt
and Opasevich makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Opasevich closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Meireles to the mat! Meireles manages to get full guard.
Opasevich is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Opasevich stopping the sweep attempt from Meireles.
Opasevich is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Dagestan Opasevich overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dagestan Opasevich.
Opasevich with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Meireles gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Opasevich counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Meireles thinking.
Meireles shoots in looking for a takedown. Opasevich tries to sprawl out of it but Meireles keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Opasevich manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Meireles is defended easily by Opasevich.
A looping hook to the body misses from Opasevich. Meireles does a little dance to reset his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Opasevich stuns Meireles with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dagestan Opasevich showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Opasevich has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dagestan Opasevich!