PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Injun Merlin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Helio Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Merlin kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Ladies and Gentlemen. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Merlin
vs
Gracie

185 cm
23
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Injun Merlin!
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, Helio Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Merlin swivels and escapes.
Merlin cracks Gracie with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Merlin.
Gracie tries to improve position but can't.
Gracie is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Merlin wants to stand but Gracie is controlling his arm.
Gracie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gracie is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin in side control, throwing shots but Gracie defends.
Gracie gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Merlin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.
Merlin throwing shots but Gracie is blocking nicely.

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.
Gracie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Merlin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Merlin's back!
Gracie punches the canvas rather than the man.
Gracie struggling to land strikes to the head as Merlin covers up.
Merlin trying to control the action but Gracie just sinks the hooks in.
Gracie throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Gracie throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Gracie lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Merlin.
Gracie wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy.
Gracie punishes Merlin with strikes from the back mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking for the RNC.
Merlin looking very determined here, making life difficult for Gracie.
Merlin is trying to break free.

Gracie is persistently looking for the submission but Merlin is defending it well.
Gracie lands punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to stick to Merlin's back but Merlin is turning into Gracie. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Gracie's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Merlin.
Merlin trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie managing to control the position.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.
Merlin throwing strikes but missing.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Gracie has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Merlin should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Gracie has tightened it up now! Merlin should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Helio Gracie!