PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mark Merker Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riley is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Get Up. John Riley has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mark Merker Junior's chin.

Merker Junior
vs
Riley

178 cm
27
177 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

195 cm
25
179 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Merker Junior!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Riley!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Dillan Fox and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merker Junior fails in his attempt to clinch.
Riley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Merker Junior stuffs the takedown attempt from Riley. Riley gets slowly back to his feet.
Merker Junior throws a lazy right hand but Riley sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Riley throws out a powerful jab.
Merker Junior tries to clinch but Riley is having none of it.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Riley paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Merker Junior tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch but Riley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Riley keeps the fight on the outside.

Merker Junior has managed to clinch.
Merker Junior tries a body shot but Riley blocks it.

Riley turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Riley tries to score with some ground and pound. Merker Junior controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Riley wants to lay and pray for a moment but Merker Junior keeps working.
Riley is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Riley throws an elbow but Merker Junior slips to the side and avoids it well.
Merker Junior regains half guard there - taking advantage of Riley's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riley wants to take a breather but Merker Junior is having none of it.
Riley is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Merker Junior wants to control but Riley is keeping busy.
Riley has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Riley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Merker Junior defending well though.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Riley throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Merker Junior.
Riley throws a body punch but Merker Junior moves out of range.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch up but Riley swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Riley swings for the body but Merker Junior moves out of range.
Merker Junior tries to clinch up.
Nice straight punches there by Riley. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Riley.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Merker Junior staying out of range there.
Riley swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Riley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Merker Junior throws a head kick but Riley moves out of range.
A big right from Riley misses.
Merker Junior moves in looking to clinch but Riley pushes him off.
Merker Junior is looking to clinch but Riley is avoiding it.
Merker Junior misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Merker Junior clinches up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Merker Junior.

Merker Junior's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Riley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Riley looks to land a right hand but Merker Junior moved out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Riley. Merker Junior does a little dance to reset his feet.
Merker Junior lands a nice leg kick that just misses Riley's sensitive parts.
A nice leg kick lands there from Merker Junior.
Merker Junior is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Merker Junior sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Riley tries to keep at a distance but Merker Junior has taken the fight into the clinch.

Merker Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Riley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Merker Junior.
Riley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Merker Junior is looking to clinch but Riley is avoiding it.
Riley waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Merker Junior.
The fight stays on the outside here - Merker Junior looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Riley fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Merker Junior avoids it really well and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Merker Junior looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Merker Junior looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mark Merker Junior is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Merker Junior fails in his attempt to clinch.
Riley misses the shot to the body.
Merker Junior wants to clinch up but Riley keeps it at a distance.
Riley tries to bum rush Merker Junior with a series of wild strikes but Merker Junior uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Merker Junior walks into a left hand.
Riley swings for the body but Merker Junior moves out of range.
Riley misses with a looping right.

Merker Junior fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Riley, pushing him back against the cage.
Riley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Merker Junior fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mark Merker Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Riley.
Riley just misses with a punch to the body.
Merker Junior wants to clinch up but Riley keeps it at a distance.
Riley shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Merker Junior pinned against the cage. Merker Junior gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Merker Junior fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mark Merker Junior will probably get the nod.
That's time! Merker Junior's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Merker Junior tries to clinch but Riley is having none of it.
A punch combination from Riley misses.
Merker Junior moves in looking to clinch but Riley pushes him off.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch but Riley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A punch combination from Riley misses.
Riley avoids the head kick by Merker Junior.
Riley is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Merker Junior pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Merker Junior wants to clinch up but Riley keeps it at a distance.
Merker Junior is looking to clinch but Riley is avoiding it.
Merker Junior tries to clinch but Riley is having none of it.
A head kick misses from Merker Junior.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick from Merker Junior lands but Riley takes it in his stride.
Merker Junior walks into a stiff left hand from Riley.
Merker Junior ducks right into an uppercut from Riley.
Riley fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Merker Junior on the side of the head.
Riley swats away the attempt to clinch by Merker Junior.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merker Junior moves in looking to clinch but Riley pushes him off.
Riley keeps the fight on the outside.
John Riley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Riley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Merker Junior gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Riley goes for a takedown in the clinch but Merker Junior prevents it.
Riley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Merker Junior fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mark Merker Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Riley.
The fight stays on the outside here - Merker Junior looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Riley fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Riley connects with a jab.
Merker Junior wants to clinch up but Riley keeps it at a distance.
Merker Junior takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Riley lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Riley on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Merker Junior tries a head kick but it misses.
Riley takes a swing at Merker Junior's ribcage but misses.

Merker Junior gets a clinch.

Merker Junior breaks from the clinch.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch but Riley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Riley has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Merker Junior fails in his attempt to clinch.
Merker Junior is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fighters circling - Riley throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Riley throws a shot from downtown. Merker Junior moves away and avoids it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riley tries to break free but Merker Junior pushes him back against the cage.
Riley looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merker Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Riley throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Merker Junior blocks a jab.
Merker Junior is looking to clinch.
Merker Junior tries to clinch up.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch but Riley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Merker Junior tries to clinch up.
Merker Junior staying out of range there.
Riley swats away the attempt to clinch by Merker Junior.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch up but Riley swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Merker Junior takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Riley takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Riley digs a good body shot into Merker Junior's ribs.
Merker Junior doesn't manage to clinch there - Riley circles away.

Merker Junior clinches up with Riley and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley drops down looking for an ankle pick but Merker Junior pulls his leg out and moves away.
Riley misses with a wild body shot.

Merker Junior has closed the distance and engaged Riley in a clinch.
Merker Junior tries a knee to the head but Riley blocks it.
Riley fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Riley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Merker Junior gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Riley tries to break the clinch but Merker Junior is controlling the position.
Riley blocks an uppercut.
Riley goes for a takedown in the clinch but Merker Junior prevents it.
Riley is breathing heavily.
Riley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Merker Junior fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Riley shoots in but Merker Junior avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Merker Junior wants to clinch.

Merker Junior has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Riley showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Riley digs a good body shot into Merker Junior's ribs.
Merker Junior doesn't manage to clinch there - Riley circles away.
Riley misses with an uppercut.

Merker Junior moves into range and clinches up with Riley.
Merker Junior with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Merker Junior throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Riley blocks it with crossed arms.
Riley is working for takedown but Merker Junior is calmly controlling the position for now.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Riley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Merker Junior moves away.
Merker Junior is looking to clinch.
Merker Junior blocks a jab.
Merker Junior fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merker Junior tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
John Riley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Riley rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Merker Junior moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Merker Junior throws a head kick that misses.
Riley misses with a wild combination.
Good exchange - Riley coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merker Junior doesn't manage to clinch there - Riley circles away.
Merker Junior wants to clinch up but Riley keeps it at a distance.
Nice straight punches there by Riley. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Riley.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Riley is defended easily by Merker Junior.
Riley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Merker Junior displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Riley.
Mark Merker Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Riley.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Riley paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Merker Junior fails with an attempt to clinch.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch but Riley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Riley misses with a looping right.
Riley circles away from the clinch attempt.
Riley swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's two 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.
A jab lands there for Riley.
Merker Junior slips a jab and a cross from Riley.

Merker Junior takes the fight into the clinch.

Merker Junior breaks from the clinch.
Merker Junior moves forwards but Riley connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Merker Junior misses with a hook. Riley ducked under it nicely.
Riley throws a good cross that connects.

Merker Junior clinches up with Riley and pushes him back against the cage.
Merker Junior is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Riley goes for a takedown in the clinch but Merker Junior prevents it.
Merker Junior looking to throw knees to the head but Riley is blocking nicely.
Riley wants to break the clinch but can't.
Merker Junior stalling.
Riley tries to score a body lock takedown but Merker Junior shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Riley looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Merker Junior lands a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Merker Junior.
Merker Junior lands an elbow that stopped Riley in his tracks for a moment.
Merker Junior stops a takedown attempt from Riley.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior cracks Riley with a nice body shot.
Merker Junior pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Merker Junior looking to throw knees to the head but Riley is blocking nicely.
Merker Junior creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Riley's defenses.
Merker Junior creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Riley's defenses.
Merker Junior creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Riley's defenses.

Merker Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Merker Junior takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Merker Junior tries to clinch up but Riley circles away and keeps his distance.

Merker Junior gets a clinch.
Merker Junior utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Riley tries to pull guard but Merker Junior won't allow it.
Merker Junior lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Riley backwards.
Riley is trying to force a seperation but Merker Junior has the dominant position.
Merker Junior tries to land a knee to the head but Riley blocks with his arms.
Riley is trying to force a seperation but Merker Junior has the dominant position.
Riley is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Merker Junior pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Merker Junior tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Riley throws a hook to the side of Merker Junior's head but Merker Junior sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Merker Junior tries to close the distance and clinch but Riley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riley scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Riley dives in and grabs Merker Junior's left leg, looking for a takedown. Merker Junior pushes down on Riley's head and hops out.
Merker Junior tries to clinch but Riley moves out of range.
Merker Junior tries to clinch there but Riley circles away.
Merker Junior tries to clinch but Riley is having none of it.
Riley throws a hook to the side of Merker Junior's head but Merker Junior sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Riley fails with the takedown.
Merker Junior is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Merker Junior gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nice elbow from Merker Junior.
Riley tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Merker Junior smiles and moves away.
Riley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Merker Junior showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Merker Junior has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mark Merker Junior!