PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Barsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antero Mela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barsov comes to the cage accompanied by Stare. Antero Mela has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Barsov
vs
Mela

188 cm
19
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
216 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Barsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antero Mela!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mela shoots in but no luck this time.
Barsov throws a big shot that misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Barsov.
A combination from Barsov does no damage.
Mela will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Barsov leaves Mela with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Alexander Barsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antero Mela.
Mela shoots in looking for a takedown but Barsov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mela's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A head kick from Barsov lands but Mela takes it in his stride.
A punch combination from Barsov misses.
A combination from Barsov does no damage.
Mela has a takedown stuffed.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mela gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mela takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Barsov tests Mela's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Antero Mela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab from Mela.

Barsov gets caught flat footed, as Mela shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Mela engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mela throwing strikes from guard but Barsov blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barsov is adopting a defensive guard.
Mela throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mela looking to pass the guard.
Mela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barsov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mela lands a couple of digs.
Mela pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barsov is keeping the position for now.
Mela is looking to work some ground and pound but Barsov has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mela throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mela with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mela throwing strikes from guard but Barsov blocks nicely.
Mela looking to pass the guard.
Barsov has momentary wrist control but Mela slips an elbow through the middle.
Mela postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mela with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mela preventing the sweep.
Barsov keeping moving, preventing Mela from controlling successfully.
Barsov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mela is looking to work some ground and pound but Barsov has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barsov wants to sweep but no luck.
Barsov working a defensive guard here.
Mela has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barsov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mela.
Mela working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barsov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mela stands up over Barsov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mela landing some decent shots from guard.
Mela postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mela with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mela throws a strike but Barsov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Our spies down at at Team Finland inform us that Mela has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mela looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barsov is one step ahead there.
Barsov wants to control from the top but Mela keeps moving.

Mela has his foot on Barsov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barsov works his way back into a safe position though.

Mela escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barsov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Mela is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barsov is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antero Mela dominated that round.
That's time! Barsov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mela shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barsov but Barsov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Barsov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Mela throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barsov's waist but Barsov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mela off to one side.
Mela looks for a takedown but Barsov sprawls well.
Alexander Barsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antero Mela.
Barsov misses with a two punch combination.
Mela shoots in but Barsov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mela shoots in looking for a takedown but Barsov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mela's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mela doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Barsov to counter with a crisp jab.
Barsov lands with a slapping head kick.
Barsov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mela tries for a takedown but Barsov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mela shoots in for a takedown but Barsov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mela circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barsov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Barsov dips to his left and cracks Mela with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barsov swinging wildly here.
Barsov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Mela throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Barsov was covering up waiting for the punch and Mela finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Barsov is trying to keep Mela in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mela accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mela won't allow Barsov to sweep him here.
Mela throws a big right hand that misses.
Barsov keeping full guard, as Mela tries to pass.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mela accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barsov working a defensive guard here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barsov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mela wants to control from the top but Barsov keeps moving.
Barsov wants to sweep here but Mela controlling him for the moment.
Barsov is working hard here to advance position.
Mela forces his way into half guard.
Mela sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Barsov defending well though.
Barsov is trying to get back to full guard.
Barsov wants to control but Mela is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mela trying to control the action but Barsov is working from the bottom.
Mela missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mela is trying to control the action in half guard but Barsov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mela landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Barsov trying to control but Mela postures up.
Barsov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mela not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Barsov manages to get to full guard.
Mela tries to free his leg and advance position but Barsov is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barsov keeping moving, preventing Mela from controlling successfully.
Mela working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barsov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mela.
Mela won't allow Barsov to sweep him here.
Mela postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mela looking to pass the guard.
Mela trying to control the position from guard on top but Barsov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mela passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Mela fails to land a wild elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexander Barsov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Barsov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Barsov fails to land with a series of punches.

Mela closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Barsov's guard.
Mela throwing strikes but missing.
Mela missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barsov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mela tries to free his leg and advance position but Barsov is retaining full guard.
Mela throws a strike but Barsov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Barsov wants to control from the top but Mela keeps moving.
Mela trying to control the position.

Mela working for a triangle but Barsov defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mela has his foot on Barsov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barsov works his way back into a safe position though.

Mela is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barsov is aware though and is defending well.

Mela throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Barsov trying to control but Mela is working from the bottom.
Mela looking to control.
Barsov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Mela looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mela pushes a forearm under Barsov's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Barsov is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Antero Mela!