PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eldar Yanbaev (ranked 3322 p4p, 3063 weight class) and Altus Van Der Merwe (ranked 418 p4p, 390 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.

Yanbaev
vs
Van Der Merwe

186 cm
25
192
4 - 3 - 0

185 cm
19
195
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

MKFC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eldar Yanbaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Altus Van Der Merwe!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Der Merwe throws a poor cross that misses
and Yanbaev counters with a nice kick to the body.
A low kick from Yanbaev misses

and Van Der Merwe counters by clinching up.
Yanbaev scores with a shot to the side of Van Der Merwe's head.

Yanbaev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van Der Merwe misses with the combination.
Yanbaev drops down looking for a counter takedown but Van Der Merwe sprawls and moves away.
Van Der Merwe fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Van Der Merwe ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Van Der Merwe scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Van Der Merwe blocks a low kick nicely.
Van Der Merwe tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Van Der Merwe connects with a right hand. Yanbaev shakes it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Der Merwe lands with a right hand.
Van Der Merwe rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Yanbaev counters with a single leg into guard. Van Der Merwe didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Yanbaev wants to pass the guard but Van Der Merwe is keeping the position.
Van Der Merwe working a defensive guard here.
Van Der Merwe looking to control but Yanbaev passes into half guard.
Yanbaev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Van Der Merwe keeping hold of Yanbaev's head, controlling as best he can.

Yanbaev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Van Der Merwe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Yanbaev.
Still in half guard, Yanbaev seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Van Der Merwe is controlling Yanbaev's trapped leg to prevent Yanbaev from advancing to side control.
Van Der Merwe wants to get back to full guard.
Van Der Merwe looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Van Der Merwe is looking to control Yanbaev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Van Der Merwe avoid being mounted?
Yanbaev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Yanbaev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Yanbaev prevents Van Der Merwe from standing back up.
Van Der Merwe is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Yanbaev is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Van Der Merwe taking some punishment here, with Yanbaev in his half guard.
Yanbaev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Yanbaev trying to mount his opponent but Van Der Merwe defends it.
Van Der Merwe trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Van Der Merwe tries to hold on but Yanbaev postures up.
Van Der Merwe is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe tries to hold on but Yanbaev pushes him away.
Yanbaev unloading with bombs!
Yanbaev working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Yanbaev avoids the attempt from Van Der Merwe to control.

Yanbaev looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Van Der Merwe tries to hold on but Yanbaev postures up.

Yanbaev has control of Van Der Merwe's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Van Der Merwe regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Van Der Merwe is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eldar Yanbaev dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Van Der Merwe paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A telegraphed right hand from Van Der Merwe misses the target.
Yanbaev lands a head kick. Van Der Merwe smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Van Der Merwe is rocked!
Altus Van Der Merwe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yanbaev scores with a body shot.
Van Der Merwe is still on wobbly legs! Can Yanbaev finish him?
Yanbaev lands with a good body shot.
Yanbaev lands an uppercut, right on the button! Van Der Merwe tumbles backwards into the cage, staring vacantly into space! He's got no idea where he is, who he is or what day it is... Poor guy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Eldar Yanbaev!