PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maximus Merceli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maximus Merceli has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Merceli

190 cm
25
187 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Maximus Merceli!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Merceli drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Smith is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Merceli can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Merceli stands and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Merceli taking a breather here.

Merceli is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Smith knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smith manages to work his way to half guard, despite Merceli's best efforts.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Smith looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.
Merceli lands with a punch from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith works his way to full guard. Good work.
Merceli trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Merceli lands a couple of digs.
Merceli works over Smith with some ground and pound from guard.
Merceli passes Smith's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Merceli thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Smith's head.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Smith is pressing down on Merceli's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Merceli pushing down on Smith's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Merceli seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Merceli is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Smith defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Merceli wants to work for an arm triangle but Smith is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Merceli slips a nice elbow through Smith's hands, connecting with Smith's forehead.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.
Merceli lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Merceli landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Merceli distracts Smith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Merceli from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Merceli defends well.
Merceli makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Merceli landing with the ground and pound.
Merceli not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Merceli passes Smith's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.

Smith is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Merceli pulls his head out easily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Merceli lands a nice short elbow.
Merceli takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.
Smith is staying active underneath Merceli, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merceli works his way into full mount!
Merceli has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Smith's face.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merceli content just to control the position here.
Smith tries to reverse the position but Merceli maintains control.
Merceli with good strikes from the mount here!
Merceli lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Smith is rocked!
Merceli drops a big elbow. That's hurt Smith! More shots from Merceli and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Maximus Merceli!