PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mark Merker Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucky Strike (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strike is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Limp Bizkit - Rollin. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Lucky Strike enters the cage!

Merker Junior
vs
Strike

178 cm
28
177 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

180 cm
20
179 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
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 14 - 9 - 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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lucky Strike !
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Strike tries to keep at a distance but Merker Junior has taken the fight into the clinch.
Merker Junior dodges an elbow strike from Strike .
Strike throws an elbow that misses.

Merker Junior breaks from the clinch.
Merker Junior circles away from the clinch attempt
and Merker Junior counters with a head kick. That will keep Strike thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Merker Junior circles away from the clinch attempt
and Merker Junior makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Strike throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Merker Junior dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Merker Junior scores with a jab to the body.

Merker Junior has managed to clinch.
Strike tries to land knees in the clinch but Merker Junior avoids the damage to the body.
Strike is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Merker Junior is defending well for now.
Strike tries to pull guard but Merker Junior holds him up against the cage and eventually Strike drops back down to his feet.
Merker Junior looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Strike lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Merker Junior wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Strike creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Merker Junior's defenses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Strike lands an elbow just above Merker Junior 's eye.
Merker Junior on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Merker Junior wants to get back to striking at distance but Strike won't allow it.
Strike tries to land a knee to the head but Merker Junior blocks with his arms.
Merker Junior wants to break free but Strike has control.
Merker Junior is struggling to control the position.
Merker Junior takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merker Junior is trying to break the clinch but Strike has him pressed against the cage.
Merker Junior avoiding damage as Strike throws knees to the body.
Merker Junior wants to get back to striking at distance but Strike won't allow it.
Strike throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Strike is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Merker Junior is defending well for now.
Strike trying to land knees to the body.
Merker Junior lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Strike scores with a knee to the head.

Merker Junior breaks from the clinch.

Merker Junior instigates a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Strike .
Strike lands an elbow that stopped Merker Junior in his tracks for a moment.

Merker Junior breaks from the clinch.
Strike tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Merker Junior counters with a nice uppercut.
Lucky Strike seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Merker Junior stuffs the takedown attempt from Strike . Strike gets slowly back to his feet.

Strike clinches.
Merker Junior wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Strike looking to throw knees to the head but Merker Junior is blocking nicely.
Merker Junior blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Strike is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Merker Junior is defending well for now.
Strike tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Strike missing with knees to the body.
Strike looks gassed!
Knees to the body from Merker Junior.
Merker Junior tries to break the clinch but Strike is controlling the position.
Strike trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior avoiding damage as Strike throws knees to the body.
Strike misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Merker Junior.
Strike using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Merker Junior has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Strike tries a knee to the head but Merker Junior blocks it.

Merker Junior's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Merker Junior ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Strike walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Merker Junior lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Strike at a distance.

Merker Junior closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Merker Junior breaks from the clinch.

Strike gets tackled into the cage by Merker Junior. Merker Junior maintains the clinch.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch.
Strike tries to clinch but Merker Junior moves away
and Merker Junior counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Strike thinking.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Merker Junior lands an overhand right.
Nice uppercut lands for Merker Junior. That snapped Strike 's head back.
Mark Merker Junior is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick from Merker Junior lands but Strike takes it in his stride.
Merker Junior connects with a body shot.
Strike takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Donk. Merker Junior catches Strike right on the button with a cross.
Merker Junior throws out a powerful jab.
Strike throws a lazy right hand but Merker Junior sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Merker Junior bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A jab from Merker Junior does it's job there.

Merker Junior clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Merker Junior's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nice elbow from Merker Junior.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Merker Junior lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Good standup being displayed there by Merker Junior as he connects with a hook.
Merker Junior fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Strike on the side of the head.
Merker Junior scores with a nice strike.
Strike closes the distance looking to clinch
and Merker Junior counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Merker Junior fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Strike , pushing him back against the cage.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strike looks to clinch
and Merker Junior counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Strike thinking.
Merker Junior moves into range and connects with a jab.
Strike on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Merker Junior moves into the clinch.
Strike tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Merker Junior tries to break free but Strike pushes him back against the cage.
Merker Junior lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right hook to the body lands for Merker Junior.

Merker Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Merker Junior with a hook.
Merker Junior is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Merker Junior fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Merker Junior has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior avoiding damage as Strike throws knees to the body.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Strike wants to clinch but Merker Junior slips to the side
and Merker Junior counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Strike thinking.

Merker Junior darts in and clinches Strike up against the cage.
Merker Junior tries to break free but Strike pushes him back against the cage.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch.
Strike tries to clinch up
and Merker Junior cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Strike tries to clinch up

and Merker Junior counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A short right from Merker Junior.
Strike is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Merker Junior is defending well for now.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Strike blocks a head kick by Merker Junior.
Merker Junior with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Merker Junior moves into range and connects with a jab.
Strike wants to clinch but Merker Junior slips to the side
and Merker Junior counters with a three punch combo that has Strike backing up. Strike nods at Merker Junior to acknowledge the strikes.
Strike clinches but Merker Junior breaks the clinch
and Merker Junior counters with a right hand to the body.
Merker Junior scores with a hook.
Merker Junior throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Merker Junior dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fight stays on the outside here - Strike looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Strike looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Strike wants to clinch but Merker Junior slips to the side
and Merker Junior counters with a right hand to the body.
Merker Junior throws a head kick that misses.
Merker Junior connects with a crisp jab.

Merker Junior takes the fight into the clinch.
Strike tries to land knees in the clinch but Merker Junior avoids the damage to the body.
Strike prevents Merker Junior from breaking the clinch.
Strike tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Strike wants to stall.

Merker Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Merker Junior instigates a clinch.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Merker Junior punishes Strike 's body with a nice straight punch.
Merker Junior scores with a decent looking hook.
Merker Junior moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Strike walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Strike is breathing heavily.
Merker Junior lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mark Merker Junior is winning the standup battle so far.
Strike takes a jab right on the kisser.
Merker Junior lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merker Junior lands with a cross.
Strike tries to clinch but Merker Junior moves away
and Merker Junior counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Strike thinking.
Merker Junior circles away from the clinch attempt
and Merker Junior counters with a straight right hand.
Strike shoots in looking for a takedown but Merker Junior manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Strike 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Strike moves into the clinch.
Strike has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A right hand to the body from Merker Junior.

Merker Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Strike has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Merker Junior ducks under a wild hook from Strike .
Merker Junior lands a jab to the head.
Strike tries to bum rush Merker Junior with a series of wild strikes but Merker Junior uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Strike takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Merker Junior has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Merker Junior scores with a three punch combo!

Merker Junior gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Merker Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Merker Junior lands a lovely overhand right.
Merker Junior punishes Strike 's body with a nice straight punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merker Junior lands with a shot to the body.

Merker Junior rushes Strike and presses him up against the cage.
Merker Junior scores with a shot to the side of Strike 's head.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strike closes the distance and clinches up with Merker Junior, looking for a takedown. Strike pushes Merker Junior against the cage but Merker Junior circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Merker Junior throws a good cross that connects.
Merker Junior throws a shot to the body.

Strike gets tackled into the cage by Merker Junior. Merker Junior maintains the clinch.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Merker Junior scores with the left hand. Strike knows he should have avoided that one.
Merker Junior cracks Strike with a good jab.
Merker Junior stalks Strike and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Strike 's face. Strike staggers backwards, shaken.
Merker Junior looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Merker Junior lands a nice shot that snaps Strike 's head back.

Merker Junior gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Merker Junior.

Strike is rocked!
Strike 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.

Merker Junior breaks from the clinch.
Nice uppercut there from Merker Junior.
Strike takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Merker Junior throws a head kick but Strike moves out of range.
Merker Junior slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Strike closes the distance but Merker Junior moves to the side
and Merker Junior counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strike fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mark Merker Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lucky Strike .
Strike tries to clinch but Merker Junior moves out of range.
Strike closes the distance looking to clinch
and Merker Junior counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Strike fails in his attempt to clinch.

Merker Junior closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Merker Junior is trying to break free.
Merker Junior working hard to break the clinch.

Merker Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lucky Strike is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strike tries to clinch

and Merker Junior moves into the clinch.
Merker Junior tries to break free but Strike pushes him back against the cage.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch.
Merker Junior thuds his right hand into Strike 's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Merker Junior clobbers Strike with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Merker Junior lands a jab.

Merker Junior gets a clinch.
Strike lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Strike misses with a knee to the head.
Strike is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Merker Junior is defending well for now.
Strike trying to land knees to the body.
Merker Junior lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strike takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Merker Junior ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Merker Junior closes the distance and clinches.
Merker Junior with a knee to the head.

Merker Junior manages to break the clinch.
Strike lands with a thumping leg kick.
Strike wants to clinch.
Merker Junior jabs at Strike 's body.
Strike clinches but Merker Junior breaks the clinch

and Merker Junior counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Merker Junior.

Merker Junior breaks the clinch.
Merker Junior lands a nice looking body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strike tries to clinch but Merker Junior moves away
and Merker Junior counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Strike tries to move into range but Merker Junior moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Merker Junior lands a nice leg kick that just misses Strike 's sensitive parts.
Merker Junior lands an overhand right.
Strike darts in trying to clinch
and Merker Junior counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Merker Junior dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Merker Junior misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Merker Junior avoids the head kick by Strike .
Strike tries a head kick but it misses.
Merker Junior takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Strike takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Merker Junior gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Merker Junior is looking to break free of the clinch but Strike has double underhooks.
Merker Junior tries to break free but Strike pushes him back against the cage.
Merker Junior lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Strike backwards.
Merker Junior can't break the clinch.
Strike tries to land a knee to the head but Merker Junior blocks with his arms.

Merker Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Strike tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Merker Junior counters with a nice uppercut.
Merker Junior lands with a good body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Strike on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice straight punches there by Merker Junior. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Merker Junior.
Strike takes one on the button.
Strike fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Merker Junior has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Merker Junior moves into the clinch successfully.
Strike tries to land a knee to the head but Merker Junior blocks with his arms.

Merker Junior's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Merker Junior manages to break the clinch.
Strike tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Merker Junior counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Merker Junior.
Merker Junior takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mark Merker Junior has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Merker Junior is trying to break the clinch but Strike is controlling him.
Merker Junior is trying to push Strike away but Strike has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Merker Junior is trying to push Strike away but Strike has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Merker Junior's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strike closes the distance but Merker Junior moves to the side
and Strike takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Strike wants to clinch but Merker Junior slips to the side
and Merker Junior counters with a stiff right hand.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Strike !
Nice shot by Strike .
Strike will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Merker Junior lands with an overhand left.
Strike wants to clinch

and Merker Junior counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Strike tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Merker Junior avoids it.
Strike connects with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Merker Junior.
Merker Junior working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Strike lands a knee to the head.
Merker Junior is trying to break the clinch but Strike has him pressed against the cage.
Strike tries to land knees in the clinch but Merker Junior avoids the damage to the body.

Merker Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Merker Junior pushes Strike up against the cage in a clinch.
Merker Junior wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Merker Junior working hard to break the clinch.
Merker Junior wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Merker Junior has had enough of the clinch but Strike keeps him there for the moment.
Merker Junior is trying to push Strike away but Strike has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Merker Junior looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Strike utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Strike throws a knee to the head but misses.
Strike stalling the fight.
Merker Junior wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Merker Junior has had enough of the clinch but Strike keeps him there for the moment.
Merker Junior avoids a wild elbow strike from Strike .

Strike manages to break the clinch.
Strike takes one on the button.
Merker Junior connects with a right hand. Strike shakes it off.
Strike wants to clinch
and Merker Junior counters with a left and a right that stings Strike .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior scores with a body shot.
Merker Junior keeps the fight on the outside.
Merker Junior tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Merker Junior swats away the attempt to clinch by Strike .
Merker Junior is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Strike can do to turn this around?
Merker Junior lands a jab to Strike 's midsection.
Strike takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Strike takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Strike is looking to clinch.
Merker Junior scores with a body shot.
Merker Junior lands a nice hook to Strike 's body. Strike takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Strike tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merker Junior swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Merker Junior scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Strike doesn't seem bothered though.
Strike on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Strike clinches but Merker Junior breaks the clinch

and Merker Junior counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Strike looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Strike throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Merker Junior blocks it with crossed arms.

Merker Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Strike tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Merker Junior counters with a straight right hand.
Lucky Strike has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Merker Junior there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Strike throws a push kick but Merker Junior slaps the foot to one side.
Strike takes one on the button.
Strike wants to clinch
enabling Merker Junior to counter with a crisp jab.
Merker Junior scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Strike doesn't seem bothered though.
Strike connects with a jab.
Merker Junior lands a jab to Strike 's midsection.
Strike pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Strike takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Strike throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Merker Junior counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Strike fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Merker Junior misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Merker Junior connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Merker Junior swats away the attempt to clinch by Strike .
Merker Junior is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Mark Merker Junior is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Merker Junior cracks a nice hook into Strike 's ribs.
Merker Junior scores with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Merker Junior showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Merker Junior has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 30:26
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:26

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