PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Merfy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Tarasov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrew Merfy had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 173.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. 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.

Merfy
vs
Tarasov

189 cm
19
184 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrew Merfy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Tarasov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tarasov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Tarasov wants to control from the top but Merfy keeps moving.

Merfy is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Merfy is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tarasov defends well.

Merfy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tarasov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Tarasov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Merfy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tarasov has managed to get both his arms back between Merfy's legs - danger averted.
Tarasov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tarasov looking to pass the guard.
Tarasov is looking to work some ground and pound but Merfy has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarasov postures up.
Tarasov throws a strike but Merfy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Merfy throws a strike but Tarasov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Tarasov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tarasov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two 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.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tarasov trying to control but Merfy is working from the bottom.
Merfy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Tarasov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Merfy is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Tarasov has his hands clasped together but Merfy extends an breaks Tarasov's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Merfy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Andrew Merfy!