PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mykha Mehdomedov (ranked 4369 p4p, 5630 weight class) and Chase Cole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mehdomedov comes to the cage accompanied by Eye of the Tiger (metal cover by Leo Moracchioli feat. Rob Lundgren). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mehdomedov
vs
Cole

182 cm
24
170
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
180
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mykha Mehdomedov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chase Cole!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Edson Gomes and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mehdomedov has closed the distance and engaged Cole in a clinch.
Cole is trying to stall.
Mehdomedov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Mehdomedov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cole uses from the top position.
Mehdomedov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cole is controlling him.
Cole must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mehdomedov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cole manages to get himself to full guard.

Cole had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mehdomedov defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mehdomedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cole throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole striking off his back but it's not causing Mehdomedov any problems.
Cole trying to strike off his back.
Cole pulls Mehdomedov in to control the position.
Cole is continuing to stall.
Cole has a closed guard, preventing Mehdomedov from standing up.
Cole really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mehdomedov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mehdomedov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Cole is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Cole can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mehdomedov stopping the sweep attempt from Cole.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.
Mehdomedov throws a one two combo.

Cole closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cole lands in his opponent's guard.
Cole pushing down on Mehdomedov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Mehdomedov won't allow Cole to pass to mount.
Cole not doing much here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mehdomedov is looking for a sweep. Cole is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cole trying to pass the guard but Mehdomedov defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole controlling the pace.
Cole missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cole keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Cole thows a huge punch but Mehdomedov dodges it nicely.
Cole not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Mehdomedov is defending against the submission attempts here by Cole.
Cole is taking a breather. Mehdomedov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cole not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cole is thwarting Mehdomedov's attempts to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mehdomedov is defended easily by Cole.

Cole closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mehdomedov's guard.
Mehdomedov is breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cole is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chase Cole will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Cole looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mehdomedov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mehdomedov cracks Cole with an open hand slap.
Cole swats away the attempt to clinch by Mehdomedov.
Cole throws a push kick but Mehdomedov slaps the foot to one side.
Mehdomedov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cole pinned against the cage. Cole gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And Cole tries to counter it with a takedown but Mehdomedov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mehdomedov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole stuffs the takedown attempt from Mehdomedov. Mehdomedov gets slowly back to his feet.
Mehdomedov moves in looking to clinch but Cole pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cole shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Mehdomedov has one foot on Cole's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Cole scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cole in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Cole's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Cole throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole controlling the position.
The adventures of Cole the control monster continue. Boring.

Cole is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mehdomedov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mehdomedov defending against the ground and pound.
Cole throwing strikes but Mehdomedov manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Cole is trying to get back to half guard.
Cole is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mehdomedov is looking to take a break and control but Cole is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cole manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cole moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Cole has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Mehdomedov trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cole has Mehdomedov pulled in close to control his posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mehdomedov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cole manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cole.

Mehdomedov throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Mehdomedov fails with the takedown.
Mehdomedov sets himself, and Cole steps forward looking for the clinch! Mehdomedov avoids it this time.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mehdomedov or perhaps it was just good defense by Cole, which made it look bad.

Cole closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mehdomedov to the mat! Mehdomedov manages to get full guard.

Mehdomedov wriggles free and stands up.
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!
Cole misses with a hook
and Mehdomedov counters with a low kick, right behind Cole 's knee.

Cole shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Cole showed some decent athleticism there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cole looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mehdomedov wants to get back to his feet.
Cole is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Let's hope that Cole has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Mehdomedov is trying to stand back up but Cole is controlling him

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mykha Mehdomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cole decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Cole not doing much here.
Cole missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Cole is looking to advance position but Mehdomedov won't allow it.

Cole stands up and beckons Mehdomedov to join him on the feet.
Cole takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Cole tries a head kick but it misses.
Cole moves in looking to clinch but Mehdomedov pushes him off.
Mykha Mehdomedov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mehdomedov closes the distance but Cole moves to the side

and Cole counters with a shoot takedown. Mehdomedov fights it but they end up in guard.
Cole is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole pushes down on Mehdomedov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cole stalling.
Cole throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chase Cole.
I think Cole 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mykha Mehdomedov!
Mykha Mehdomedov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.