PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ramon Rivas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lothar Merkel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rivas
vs
Merkel

198 cm
19
273 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
20
226 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ramon Rivas!
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, Lothar Merkel!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merkel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rivas swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rivas closes the distance and clinches.

Rivas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rivas tries to clinch but Merkel is having none of it.
Merkel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Merkel wants to clinch but Rivas slips to the side

and Rivas counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Merkel swings wildly with an uppercut but Rivas uses good head movement to avoid it.

Rivas is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Merkel can't fight it off and eventually Rivas manages to take the fight to the floor. Merkel looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rivas is looking to work some ground and pound but Merkel has wrist control.
Rivas looking to pass the guard.
Rivas's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merkel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rivas is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rivas's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rivas pushes Merkel up against the cage in a clinch.
Merkel tries to pull guard but Rivas holds him up against the cage and eventually Merkel drops back down to his feet.

Rivas manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Merkel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rivas controlling Merkel's posture.

Rivas manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Merkel goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rivas is breathing heavily.
Merkel swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rivas holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rivas just leaning against Merkel, taking a breather.
With the fighters up against the cage, Merkel throws an elbow but misses.
Merkel lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Ramon Rivas has been cut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Merkel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rivas tries to bum rush Merkel with a series of wild strikes but Merkel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rivas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Merkel is fending him off so far but Rivas persists. Nope, Merkel circles away and we're back to standing.
Merkel scores with a one two! Rivas had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Merkel scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Merkel lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Merkel clinches up with Rivas and pushes him back against the cage.
Merkel has had enough of the clinch but Rivas keeps him there for the moment.
Merkel wants to break free but Rivas has control.
Merkel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rivas backwards.
Rivas keeps control of Merkel as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Merkel wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Merkel wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rivas tries to break the clinch but Merkel is controlling the position.
Merkel is trying to break the clinch but Rivas has him pressed against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rivas blocking some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Merkel just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rivas's brow.
Merkel wants a takedown.
Ramon Rivas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lothar Merkel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rivas manages to break the clinch.
Merkel misses with a two punch combination.
Rivas shoots in for a takedown but Merkel shows good takedown defense.
The fight stays on the outside here - Merkel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rivas looks for a takedown but Merkel sprawls well.
Merkel clinches but Rivas breaks the clinch

and Rivas counters by moving into the clinch.

Rivas breaks the clinch.
Merkel swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rivas counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Merkel is looking to stand up but Rivas isn't so interested in that idea.

Rivas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Merkel misses with the combination.
A nice combination there by Merkel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nice sprawl there from Merkel as Rivas shoots in.
Merkel misses with a takedown
and Rivas counters with a head kick. That will keep Merkel thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rivas scores with a leg kick.
Merkel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Merkel wants to clinch.
Merkel tries to clinch but Rivas is having none of it.
Rivas tries to clinch but Merkel is having none of it.
Merkel wants to clinch

and Rivas decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Merkel's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Merkel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rivas is controlling him.
Rivas postures up and lands a big shot to Merkel's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ramon Rivas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ramon Rivas's cut.
That's time! Rivas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rivas tries to close the distance and clinch but Merkel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Merkel tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rivas counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rivas.
Merkel is pressed up against the cage. Rivas has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Merkel down to the mat. Merkel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Merkel moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Merkel throws a nice looking combination but Rivas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Merkel throws a series of punches but Rivas moves out of range.
Merkel looks to clinch

and Rivas decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Merkel's guard.
Rivas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merkel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merkel wants to stand but Rivas is controlling the position.
Rivas wants to control from the top but Merkel keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Merkel wants to get back to his feet but Rivas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Rivas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ramon Rivas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivas shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Merkel pinned against the cage. Merkel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rivas misses with a body shot.
Merkel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Rivas clinches.
Rivas misses with a knee strike.
Merkel wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Rivas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Merkel closes the distance looking to clinch

and Rivas counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rivas.
Merkel being controlled against the cage.
Merkel working some nice short punches in the clinch.

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.
Merkel is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Rivas stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Rivas gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Merkel regains guard.

Rivas stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Lothar Merkel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rivas rushes Merkel and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Merkel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Merkel fails to land.
Merkel prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ramon Rivas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rivas takes a shot to the head.

Rivas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rivas tries for a takedown but Merkel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Merkel shoots in and bounces Rivas off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Merkel is looking to stand up but Rivas won't let him.
Ramon Rivas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Merkel's guard.
Merkel wants to get back to his feet but Rivas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rivas content to stall in guard here.
Merkel keeping moving, preventing Rivas from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rivas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Merkel wants to stand and escape but Rivas is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Merkel keeping moving, preventing Rivas from controlling successfully.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Merkel tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rivas counters with a two punch combo.
Rivas throws a series of punches but Merkel moves out of range.
Merkel scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Merkel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rivas's elbow.
Merkel avoiding damage as Rivas throws knees to the body.

Rivas breaks the clinch.
Merkel has his takedown stuffed

and Rivas counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rivas manages to break the clinch.
Merkel misses with a series of wild punches.

Rivas clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ramon Rivas dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ramon Rivas's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Merkel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Rivas forces Merkel back against the cage and clinches.
Merkel throws a head punch that misses.

Rivas breaks the clinch.
Merkel tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rivas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Merkel looks to clinch

and Rivas counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rivas.
Merkel has had enough of the clinch but Rivas keeps him there for the moment.
Merkel is looking to break free of the clinch but Rivas has double underhooks.
Rivas goes for a takedown attempt but Merkel pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Merkel misses with a double jab.
Merkel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rivas misses with a combination
and Merkel counters with a three punch combo that has Rivas backing up. Rivas nods at Merkel to acknowledge the strikes.
Merkel closes the distance but Rivas moves to the side

and Rivas counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rivas.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivas tries to pull guard but Merkel holds him up against the cage and eventually Rivas drops back down to his feet.

Rivas manages to break the clinch.
Merkel darts in trying to clinch

and Rivas counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Merkel's guard now.
Rivas trying to control but Merkel is working from the bottom.
Merkel is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rivas is pushing down on Merkel's leg trying to pass to half guard. Merkel is fighting to maintain full guard but Rivas has managed to sneak the leg through.
Merkel is trying to stand up here but Rivas is controlling him well.
Rivas sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merkel tries to kick Rivas off but Rivas keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Rivas thows a huge punch but Merkel dodges it nicely.

Merkel is defending against the submission attempts here by Rivas.
Merkel looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rivas winds up and cracks Merkel with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Merkel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Merkel misses with a few strikes there.
Rivas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Merkel circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ramon Rivas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merkel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Rivas shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Rivas trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rivas with the ground and pound from mount.
Rivas trying to control but Merkel is having none of it.
Rivas looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merkel wants to try and get back to his feet.
Rivas scores with a couple of good head shots there.
You get the feeling that Merkel really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Rivas trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rivas controlling his opponent.
Merkel in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Merkel squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Lothar Merkel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ramon Rivas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rivas with shots to the head and body - Merkel looks very uncomfortable down there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ramon Rivas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rivas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ramon Rivas!