PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Larson Merkuao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lev Tolstoy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tolstoy has chosen AWOLNATION - SAIL as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Merkuao
vs
Tolstoy

189 cm
26
220 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
205 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

CEC Nutrition Q160 & Loan

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Larson Merkuao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lev Tolstoy!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tolstoy tries to sprawl but Merkuao drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Merkuao seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Tolstoy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tolstoy trying to hold on to Merkuao's head to control him but Merkuao postures up.

Merkuao is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tolstoy defends it well.
Merkuao looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merkuao missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tolstoy works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tolstoy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Merkuao throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tolstoy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tolstoy is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tolstoy is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Merkuao sees it coming and defends easily.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tolstoy is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Merkuao defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tolstoy prevents Merkuao from improving his position.

Tolstoy looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are battling for position here. Merkuao manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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

Merkuao has his foot on Tolstoy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tolstoy works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tolstoy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Merkuao keeping moving, preventing Tolstoy from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tolstoy drops back, looking for a kneebar! Merkuao looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Merkuao looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Merkuao!
Merkuao in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Merkuao is looking to take a break and control but Tolstoy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tolstoy is trying to escape the position but Merkuao is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merkuao throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tolstoy regains half guard there - taking advantage of Merkuao's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Merkuao content to control rather than advance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

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

Tolstoy misses with a double jab
and Merkuao connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Merkuao shoots in for a takedown but Tolstoy shows good takedown defense.
A combination from Tolstoy does no damage.
Tolstoy misses with a few strikes there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merkuao tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tolstoy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Merkuao somewhat.
Tolstoy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Merkuao sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tolstoy somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tolstoy instigates a clinch.
Tolstoy has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Merkuao avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tolstoy is looking to take this one to the mat.
Larson Merkuao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lev Tolstoy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merkuao fails to pull guard.
Merkuao stops a takedown attempt from Tolstoy.
Merkuao has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tolstoy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tolstoy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Merkuao gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tolstoy.

Tolstoy has Merkuao pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Tolstoy pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Merkuao tumbling to the mat - Tolstoy dives into Merkuao's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merkuao is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tolstoy defends well.
Merkuao throwing short punches from the bottom.
Merkuao wants to sweep here but Tolstoy controlling him for the moment.
Merkuao wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Tolstoy is now in half guard.
Merkuao has his hands clasped together around Tolstoy's back. He's all about the action.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Merkuao is looking for a sweep. Tolstoy is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merkuao misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Tolstoy lands strikes from half guard.

Tolstoy is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Merkuao defends it well.
Tolstoy is looking to take a break and control but Merkuao is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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!
Merkuao is looking to improve his position.
Tolstoy wants to free his trapped foot but Merkuao is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tolstoy is trying to control the action in half guard but Merkuao is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tolstoy wants to work for an arm triangle but Merkuao is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Merkuao flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Larson Merkuao overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tolstoy working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Merkuao's thigh. Merkuao counters though and makes it back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lev Tolstoy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Merkuao shoots and misses
and Tolstoy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Merkuao.
Merkuao showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tolstoy.

Merkuao shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tolstoy manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Merkuao trying to control the position from guard on top but Tolstoy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merkuao in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Merkuao with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tolstoy is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merkuao blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tolstoy.

Tolstoy is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Merkuao defends it well.
Merkuao has hold of Tolstoy's hands but Tolstoy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Merkuao tries to get to full guard but Tolstoy has control of the leg.

Tolstoy is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Merkuao doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tolstoy.
Merkuao trying to control here.
Merkuao wants to improve his position but Tolstoy is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolstoy wants to free his trapped foot but Merkuao is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Merkuao gets back to full guard.

Merkuao looking for a triangle here. Tolstoy is fighting it but it looks tight! Merkuao pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Tolstoy is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Larson Merkuao!