PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paulski McBeth (ranked 2077 p4p, 233 weight class) and Andrey Eremeev (ranked 5039 p4p, 468 weight class). 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.

McBeth
vs
Eremeev

173 cm
31
165 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

189 cm
36
165 lbs
17 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Paulski McBeth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrey Eremeev!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Nard Betker and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McBeth fails to land with a series of punches.
McBeth misses with a wild body shot.
McBeth throws a body kick that misses.
Eremeev checks a low kick from McBeth.
McBeth throws a leg kick but Eremeev checks it.
McBeth looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McBeth takes a swing at Eremeev's ribcage but misses.
Eremeev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Eremeev closes the distance and clinches up with McBeth, looking for a takedown. Eremeev pushes McBeth against the cage but McBeth circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McBeth thinks about countering with a head kick.
Eremeev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McBeth.
Eremeev misses with a takedown attempt - McBeth sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A quick step to the side and McBeth tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paulski McBeth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Eremeev.

Eremeev scores with a takedown into McBeth's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eremeev stopping the sweep attempt from McBeth.
McBeth might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Eremeev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eremeev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Eremeev tries to free his leg and advance position but McBeth is retaining full guard.
McBeth keeping moving, preventing Eremeev from controlling successfully.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two 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.

Eremeev shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Eremeev was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Eremeev looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Eremeev is looking to take a break and control but McBeth is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Eremeev working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev taking a breather here.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Eremeev controlling the position from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Eremeev trying to control the position but McBeth is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McBeth stuffs the takedown attempt from Eremeev. Eremeev gets slowly back to his feet.
McBeth misses with a wild body shot.

McBeth gets caught napping as Eremeev dives in and scores a takedown. McBeth manages to retain guard.
Eremeev wants to pass the guard but McBeth is keeping the position.
Eremeev is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McBeth pulls Eremeev in to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McBeth wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Eremeev dominated that round.
That's time! McBeth's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McBeth tries to work over Eremeev's front leg with a kick but Eremeev checks it.
Eremeev has a takedown stuffed.
Eremeev ducks under a wild hook from McBeth.
Eremeev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McBeth lands a body shot.
McBeth misses with a wild body shot.
McBeth missing with a left hand there. Eremeev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Paulski McBeth seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McBeth connects with a crisp jab.

Eremeev gets a takedown into half guard.
Eremeev is looking to advance position but McBeth won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eremeev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McBeth is refusing to be controlled, as Eremeev sits in half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. McBeth manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
My spies in Power Shark Gym inform me that Eremeev has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
McBeth wants to sweep here but Eremeev controlling him for the moment.
Eremeev trying to control the position from guard on top but McBeth is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eremeev content to stall in guard here.

That's two 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.
McBeth looking for a sweep. Not yet McBeth, not yet.
Eremeev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Eremeev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McBeth counters with a three punch combo that has Eremeev backing up. Eremeev nods at McBeth to acknowledge the strikes.
Eremeev fails with the takedown.
Paulski McBeth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Eremeev.
McBeth pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McBeth, right into the meat.
McBeth pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Eremeev back to the cage. McBeth follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
McBeth throws the kick towards the body but Eremeev avoids it.
Eremeev is trying hard to land a takedown here. McBeth sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Some wild striking there from McBeth.
Paulski McBeth is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Eremeev is defended easily by McBeth.
Eremeev looks for a takedown but McBeth sprawls well.
As Eremeev tries to get set, McBeth tries to push him back and clinch up but Eremeev manages to avoid the attempt.
McBeth swinging wildly here.
McBeth leaves Eremeev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McBeth is looking to wear down Eremeev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McBeth fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Eremeev manages to avoid it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Eremeev.
McBeth is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McBeth manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
McBeth controlling the position well.
Eremeev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Eremeev is looking to take a break and control but McBeth is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulski McBeth dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Eremeev closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McBeth's guard.
Eremeev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McBeth holds on and takes a little breather.
McBeth working a defensive guard here.
Eremeev trying to control but McBeth is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eremeev advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McBeth is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Eremeev jumps into side control!
Eremeev is looking to take a break and control but McBeth is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on McBeth's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Eremeev controlling the position.
McBeth is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Eremeev is looking to take a break and control but McBeth is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Eremeev goes for a double leg but McBeth avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McBeth continues to drive forward.
McBeth misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McBeth throws a body shot but no joy.

Eremeev shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Eremeev was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
McBeth manages to work his way to half guard, despite Eremeev's best efforts.

Eremeev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McBeth has managed to free his arm - good work.
Eremeev wants to control but McBeth is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Eremeev is looking to advance position but McBeth won't allow it.
McBeth trying to control here.
Andrey Eremeev has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev trying to control the action but McBeth is working from the bottom.
McBeth is trying to get back to full guard.
Eremeev not doing much here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A big left from McBeth misses.
Eremeev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Eremeev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Eremeev gets a takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrey Eremeev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Eremeev 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrey Eremeev!
A relieved looking Andrey Eremeev thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.