PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mark Adam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michal Elsner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mark Adam has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Adam
vs
Elsner

201 cm
25
173 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

183 cm
26
170 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mark Adam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michal Elsner!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Adam feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Adam wants to stand but Elsner is controlling his posture from full guard.

Elsner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Adam defends well.
Adam trying to control the position from guard on top but Elsner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Adam wants to get up but he can't break Elsner's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Adam passes Elsner's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Adam is looking to advance position but Elsner won't allow it.

Adam is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Elsner sees it coming and defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elsner is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Adam's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Adam's back!

Elsner is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Adam has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Adam is in bad spot here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Elsner is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Elsner gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Elsner gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Elsner apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Adam lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Elsner circles away quickly and effectively.
Elsner feints the counter takedown.

Adam gets the takedown into side control.
Adam will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Elsner manages to work his way to half guard, despite Adam's best efforts.
Adam is keen to just control but Elsner is a slippery customer.
Elsner regains full guard. Nicely done.
Adam trying to control the position from guard on top but Elsner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Elsner wants to sweep here but Adam controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Elsner looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Adam accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Adam wants to pass the guard but Elsner is keeping the position.
Elsner is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Adam would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Adam trying to control but Elsner is working from the bottom.
Adam wants to get up but he can't break Elsner's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Elsner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Adam defends well.
Elsner throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adam tries to free his leg and advance position but Elsner is retaining full guard.
Elsner tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Elsner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Adam defends well.
Adam looking to pass the guard.
Elsner keeping moving, preventing Adam from controlling successfully.
Adam passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Adam trying to control the position but Elsner is working away.

Adam looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Elsner manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adam wants to get back to his feet.

Elsner is defending against the submission attempts here by Adam.
Elsner makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Elsner.
Elsner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Adam has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Elsner is striking from the bottom but Adam uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Adam wants to stand but Elsner has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Adam wants to take a breather but Elsner is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Adam shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Adam was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Elsner tries to bench press Adam off him but Adam keeps the position.
Elsner misses with a strike from the bottom.
Elsner tries to buck Adam off but Adam is having none of it.

Adam tries for a kimura but Elsner is defending well.
Elsner manages to work his way to half guard, despite Adam's best efforts.

Elsner actively working from the bottom here.
Elsner works his way to full guard. Good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elsner wants to sweep but no luck.

Elsner has his foot on Adam's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Adam works his way back into a safe position though.
Adam trying to control the position from guard on top but Elsner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Adam would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adam forces his way into half guard.
Adam is trying to control the action in half guard but Elsner is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Elsner looking for submissions off his back.
Adam is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Elsner can do to turn this around?
Elsner tries to roll over but Adam keeps him under control.
Adam passes to side control.
Elsner is looking to reverse the position.
Elsner gets back to half guard.

Elsner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Adam pulls his head out easily.
Elsner is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adam wants to free his trapped foot but Elsner is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Elsner manages to get to full guard.
Adam really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Elsner keeping full guard, as Adam tries to pass.
Adam wants to stand but Elsner is controlling his posture from full guard.

Elsner is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Adam is aware though and is defending well.
Elsner throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Elsner thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elsner is striking but Adam is not phased and passes to half guard.
Elsner is pressing down on Adam's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Adam works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Adam is looking to take a break and control but Elsner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Elsner strikes from the bottom but Adam passes into mount!
Adam tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Adam moves to back control.

Adam looking for the RNC.
Adam has the hooks in. Elsner is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Elsner is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adam is punishing Elsner with strikes - can he finish him?!
Elsner is really stuck here.
Elsner breaks Adam's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Adam is trying to hold Elsner in close to prevent damage but Elsner has managed to pass into half guard.

Elsner is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Adam makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Adam.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Adam dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Elsner gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Adam trying to stand up but can't free himself from Elsner's guard.
Elsner throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Elsner keeping full guard, as Adam tries to pass.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Adam accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Elsner is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Adam is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adam works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Adam works his way into side control.

Adam is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Elsner knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Elsner is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adam trying to control the position but Elsner is working away.
Adam is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Elsner's shoulder. That is not cool.
The ground and pound from Adam seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Adam tries to stand but Elsner is controlling his head.
Elsner is looking to regain half guard here but Adam keeps moving and retains side control.
Elsner manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Elsner manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Elsner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Elsner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Adam defends well.
Elsner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Elsner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adam tries to free his leg and advance position but Elsner is retaining full guard.
Adam forces his way into half guard.
Adam is looking to advance position but Elsner won't allow it.

Elsner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Elsner tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Adam has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Elsner is in all sorts of trouble here.

Adam working for a guillotine from mount but Elsner is in no mood to give up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elsner is in all sorts of trouble here.
Elsner sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Adam passes the guard and advances to mount!
Adam fails to move to back control.
Elsner is looking to improve his position but Adam isn't that keen on the idea.
Adam looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Elsner throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Adam is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Elsner is in real trouble.

Elsner defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Adam's arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Adam looking for the choke from the back.
Elsner rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Elsner misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Elsner wants to get back to full guard.

Adam wants to work for an arm triangle but Elsner is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Elsner moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Adam trying to control the position from guard on top but Elsner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Adam avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Elsner has his foot on Adam's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Adam works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Adam clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Adam drives through with a takedown into guard.
Adam won't allow Elsner to sweep him here.
Adam slips nicely into half guard.

Elsner looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Adam trying to control from half guard but Elsner is working away.
Adam looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Elsner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mark Adam overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Adam lands a nice short elbow.
Elsner is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Elsner wants to improve his position but Adam is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adam is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Adam is keen to just control but Elsner is a slippery customer.
Adam missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Elsner misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Adam is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Elsner!
Adam wants to get back to his feet but Elsner is holding on tight.
Elsner is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Elsner gets back to half guard.
Elsner tries to get to full guard but Adam has control of the leg.
It looks like Adam is going to stand back up.
Elsner is looking for a sweep. Adam is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Adam looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Elsner manages to get to full guard.
Elsner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Elsner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Adam works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Elsner wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elsner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Adam pulls his head out easily.
Adam works his foot free and advances to mount.
Adam trying to control but Elsner is having none of it.

Adam wants to finish this one by submission but Elsner is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Adam.
Adam is looking to stand but Elsner has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Adam blocks Elsner's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Elsner looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Elsner breaks Adam's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adam trying to control the position.
Elsner is pushing down on Adam's leg trying to pass to half guard. Adam is fighting to maintain full guard but Elsner has managed to sneak the leg through.
Elsner passes into side control, despite Adam's attempt to control the position.
Adam looks to move to half guard but instead Elsner has passed into mount! Damn!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Elsner postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Adam looks a forlorn figure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Adam had his way with Michal Elsner in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Adam fails in his attempt to clinch.
Adam tries to clinch up but Elsner circles away and keeps his distance.
And Elsner tries to counter it with a takedown but Adam pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Adam shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Adam was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Elsner is looking to reverse the position.
Elsner manages to get back to half guard.
Elsner punching from the bottom.
Adam wants to pass the guard but Elsner is defending well.
Elsner is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Adam looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Elsner works his way to full guard. Good work.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elsner has a closed guard, preventing Adam from standing up.

Elsner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Adam defends well.
Elsner bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Adam's guard.

Elsner stopping the sweep attempt from Adam.
Adam bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Elsner's guard.

Adam wants to control from the top but Elsner keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adam is really struggling to control Elsner but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Elsner looking for a triangle here. Adam is fighting it but it looks tight! Elsner pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Adam is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Michal Elsner!