PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Davin Barajas (ranked 4213 p4p, 4211 weight class) and Zaire Mercer (ranked 0 p4p, 327 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.

Barajas
vs
Mercer

178 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Davin Barajas!
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, Zaire Mercer!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barajas looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Barajas tries to free his leg and advance position but Mercer is retaining full guard.
Barajas has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mercer is proving hard to escape from.
Barajas seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Barajas trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barajas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barajas content to stall in guard here.
Mercer is trying to keep Barajas in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barajas trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mercer!
Mercer scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mercer throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Barajas misses with a low kick as Mercer jumps back.
Mercer slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mercer uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Barajas has time to react.

Mercer moves into the clinch.
Barajas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mercer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Barajas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Knees to the body from Mercer.
Mercer stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Mercer working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mercer lands a right hand.
Mercer lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barajas backwards.
Barajas changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mercer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davin Barajas. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mercer gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Barajas to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Barajas postures up in Mercer's guard and throws a big left but Mercer blocks it.
Barajas looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Mercer working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barajas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mercer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Barajas works over Mercer with some ground and pound from guard.
Barajas is looking to work some ground and pound but Mercer has wrist control.
Barajas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Barajas throwing strikes from guard but Mercer blocks nicely.
Barajas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mercer is keeping the position for now.
Barajas's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Barajas throwing strikes but missing.

That's four 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.
Mercer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Barajas has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Barajas wants to control from the top but Mercer keeps moving.
Barajas content to stall in guard here.
Barajas wants to control from the top but Mercer keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Barajas gets a double leg takedown into Mercer's guard.
Barajas with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Barajas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zaire Mercer will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mercer works the jab nicely.

Mercer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Barajas, pushing him back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Mercer.
Mercer is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Barajas tries to score a body lock takedown but Mercer shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Barajas has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mercer after a bit of a struggle.
Mercer lands a hook that snaps the head of Barajas backwards.
Mercer prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davin Barajas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercer landing knees to the head.
Mercer gets underhooks to prevent Barajas's takedown attempt.
Barajas is trying to drag Mercer to the mat but Mercer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mercer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Barajas crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Mercer - the referee stops the clock and Barajas gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Mercer. Barajas manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Mercer has closed the distance and engaged Barajas in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mercer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barajas wants to clinch but Mercer slips to the side
and Mercer counters with a straight right hand.

Barajas closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Barajas has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Mercer is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Barajas yanks on the arm and Mercer is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Barajas.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Davin Barajas!