PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Optimus Crime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Merker Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Crime
vs
Merker Junior

188 cm
20
186 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

178 cm
26
177 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Optimus Crime!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Merker Junior!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merker Junior will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Crime lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Crime digs a right hand underneath Merker Junior's ribcage. Merker Junior let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Merker Junior has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Crime avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Crime lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Merker Junior fails to pull guard.
Optimus Crime has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Merker Junior.
Crime stalling in the clinch but Merker Junior improves position.

Merker Junior gets control of Crime's arms and successfully pulls guard. Merker Junior will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Merker Junior wants to hit a switch here but Crime passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Merker Junior there!
Merker Junior is trying desperately to improve position.
Crime wants to get back to his feet but Merker Junior is holding on tight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merker Junior regains half guard.
Merker Junior is looking to control Crime's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Merker Junior avoid being mounted?
Merker Junior is trying to get back to full guard.
Merker Junior trying to hold on to Crime's head to control him but Crime postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Merker Junior works his way to full guard. Good work.

Merker Junior is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Merker Junior is working an open guard so Crime takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Merker Junior shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Crime but Crime pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Merker Junior fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Crime avoids it really well and circles away.
Crime moves in looking to clinch but Merker Junior pushes him off.
Crime leaves Merker Junior with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Crime cracks Merker Junior with an open hand slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior misses with a takedown attempt - Crime sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Crime works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Merker Junior shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Crime pinned against the cage. Crime gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Optimus Crime is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Merker Junior shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Crime as he avoids it easily.
Merker Junior fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Crime drops Merker Junior with a beautiful combination! Merker Junior stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Crime is looking for the KO!

It looks like Mark Merker Junior has been cut.
Merker Junior looks gassed!
Merker Junior takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Merker Junior is rocked!
Mark Merker Junior seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Crime forces Merker Junior back against the cage and clinches.
Merker Junior is working for takedown but Crime is calmly controlling the position for now.
Merker Junior is working for takedown but Crime is calmly controlling the position for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Crime scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Crime gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Merker Junior.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Crime lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior misses with a hook to the ribs.
Crime is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Merker Junior is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Crime gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Crime stalling in the clinch.
Crime lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Crime content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Merker Junior has Crime pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Crime manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Crime slowing the pace effectively.
Merker Junior takes a shot to the head.
Crime manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A short right from Crime on the inside.
Crime wants to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Optimus Crime.
Merker Junior dives in and grabs Crime's left leg, looking for a takedown. Crime pushes down on Merker Junior's head and hops out.
Merker Junior tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Crime swivels and escapes.
Merker Junior shoots for a takedown but Crime saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Crime scores with a punch to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Optimus Crime dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Merker Junior's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Merker Junior takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Merker Junior fails with the takedown.
Merker Junior shoots for a takedown but Crime saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A punch lands to the side of Merker Junior 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Crime steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Merker Junior. That one must have hurt.
Crime cracks Merker Junior with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Merker Junior closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The strikes coming from Merker Junior are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Merker Junior thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Crime's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Merker Junior is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Crime has escaped the position, nice work there.
Merker Junior is breathing heavily.
Crime managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Merker Junior.
Merker Junior looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Crime is avoiding damage well.
Crime prevents Merker Junior from improving position.

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

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Merker Junior is trying to drag Crime to the mat but Crime just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Optimus Crime has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Merker Junior.
Merker Junior tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Crime just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short right from Crime on the inside.
Crime lands with a right to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Crime.
Merker Junior taking a breather.
Crime is pushing Merker Junior up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Crime throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Merker Juniors head.
Crime lands a left hand.
A head punch on the inside from Merker Junior fails to land.
The referee is keeping an eye on Crime - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Merker Junior stalling in the clinch but Crime improves position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior jumps guard but Crime stands there with Merker Junior around his waist. Merker Junior gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Crime as the two fighters clinch.
Crime being controlled against the cage.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Merker Junior shoots in for a double leg but Crime sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Merker Junior shoots in but no luck this time.
Crime bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Merker Junior's head backwards.
Crime is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Crime has taken the fight to the clinch.
Crime lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Merker Junior or not.
Merker Junior tries for a takedown. No joy.
Merker Junior tries to score a body lock takedown but Crime shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Crime digs a right hand into Merker Junior's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Merker Junior's gas tank.
Crime stalling in the clinch.
Merker Junior tries for a takedown but Crime manages to get underhooks.
Crime lands a nice shot to the body.
Crime taking a breather.
Crime lands a left hand that snaps the head of Merker Junior backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Come on Crime - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Merker Junior trying to land knees to the body.
Crime lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Merker Junior.
Crime gets through Merker Junior's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Crime.
Nice body punch from Crime - that landed with a thud.
Merker Junior is working for takedown but Crime is calmly controlling the position for now.
Crime has Merker Junior pushed against the cage.
Crime gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Crime creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Merker Junior missing with knees to the body.
Crime lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Crime lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Merker Junior tries for a takedown but Crime manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Optimus Crime dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mark Merker Junior's cut.
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. And we move into the final round!

Merker Junior tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Crime to counter with a crisp jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Crime scores with a four punch combination!
Horrible takedown by Merker Junior or perhaps it was just good defense by Crime which made him look bad.
Optimus Crime is winning the standup battle so far.
Merker Junior fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Merker Junior will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Optimus Crime has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Merker Junior.
Crime sizes up Merker Junior with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Crime takes the fight into the clinch.
Crime lands a body shot.
Crime lands a body punch.
Merker Junior is trying to drag Crime to the mat but Crime just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Crime lands a left hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A nice left hand lands by Crime.
Crime lands a nice uppercut.
Crime is struggling to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crime lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Crime pushes Merker Junior back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Crime lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Merker Junior backwards.
Merker Junior tries for a takedown. No joy.
Crime gets underhooks to prevent Merker Junior's takedown attempt.
Crime lands with a left to the head.
Good body shot from Crime.
Crime lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Crime.
A short right from Crime.
Crime slows down the pace here.
Good body shot from Crime.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Crime lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crime prevents the takedown attempt.
Crime lands a body punch.
Crime works on Merker Junior's body with a couple of short punches.
Crime works on Merker Junior's body with a couple of short punches.
Optimus Crime has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Crime leaning against his opponent.
Crime lands an uppercut.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Crime taking a breather.
Crime avoids the elbow strike from Merker Junior, against the cage.
Crime lands with a left to the head.
Crime lands with a light punch inside.
Merker Junior has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Crime avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Crime lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Crime lands a body shot.
Crime lands a hook to the side of the head.
Crime throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Crime stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Merker Junior pushes off an throws an elbow but Crime leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Crime blocking some punches.
Crime dodges an elbow strike from Merker Junior.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Crime is working Merker Junior over against the cage.
Merker Junior takes a shot to the head.
Crime is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Crime lands a right hand.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Merker Junior has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Crime is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A right hand to the body from Crime.
Crime leaning his opponent against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Crime scores with a nice short uppercut.
Crime working aggressively here.
A right hand to the body from Crime.
Crime taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crime doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Merker Junior is working for takedown but Crime is calmly controlling the position for now.
Merker Junior drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Crime gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Merker Junior tries for a takedown. No joy.
Crime scores with a shot to the side of Merker Junior's head.
Merker Junior tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Crime smiles and moves away.
Crime cracks Merker Junior with a good jab.
Merker Junior has his takedown stuffed
and Merker Junior takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jab by Crime.

Crime gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Crime prevents the takedown attempt.
The referee calls for Crime to work.
Mark Merker Junior has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Optimus Crime is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A left hand lands to the body for Crime.

And that's the end of the fight!
Optimus Crime showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Crime, 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:26
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Optimus Crime!