PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maximus Merceli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Huge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Merceli
vs
Huge

180 cm
19
185 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

192 cm
19
190 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Heavy handed

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Maximus Merceli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matt Huge!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Alec Ball and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Huge misses with a takedown attempt - Merceli sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Huge slips a jab from Merceli.
Merceli misses with a double jab.

Huge decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Merceli wants to control but Huge is keeping busy.
Huge missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Huge is looking for a kimura here.
Merceli pushes Huge off looking to stand but Huge dives back in and keeps control.
Huge not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Merceli wants to get back to his feet.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Huge connects with a nice short shot to Merceli's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Huge works his way into side control.
Merceli is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Huge goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Merceli rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Huge's guard! Nice work there by Merceli!

Merceli gets to his feet. Huge looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Huge stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Huge wants it to stay on the feet.
Merceli fails to land the takedown.
Merceli misses with a two punch combination.
Huge cracks Merceli with a good jab.
Merceli thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merceli slaps away a takedown attempt from Huge, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Merceli takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Merceli scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Merceli throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Merceli connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Huge some visible discomfort.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Merceli throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Huge wants to get back to his feet.
Huge manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Huge thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Merceli to regain full guard.
Huge looks gassed!
Merceli wants to stand but Huge is controlling the position.
Huge looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Huge thows a big elbow that misses.
Merceli trying to keep a closed guard but Huge is proving a slippery customer.
Huge stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merceli swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Huge stands up and waves to Merceli to follow him.
Merceli tries to bum rush Huge with a series of wild strikes but Huge uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Merceli darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Merceli stands up and beckons Huge to join him on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huge lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Merceli throws an overhand right that lands on Huge's shoulder, as Huge tries to avoid the shot.
Huge moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Merceli keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Maximus Merceli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Huge.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Merceli misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Merceli checks a leg kick nicely.
Huge dodges the punch combination from Merceli.
Merceli keeps Huge at a distance using the push kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Huge dives in and grabs Merceli's left leg, looking for a takedown. Merceli pushes down on Huge's head and hops out.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Merceli fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Merceli misses.
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 Maximus Merceli will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Huge misses with a series of wild punches.
Merceli throws a left and a right that both miss
and Huge counters with a slapping leg kick.
Merceli throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Huge shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Merceli sprawls well. Merceli wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Huge gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice straight punches there by Huge. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Huge.
Merceli moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Merceli misses with a series of wild punches.
Huge lands with a good body shot.
Merceli misses with a combination
letting Huge counter with a right hand.
Merceli misses with a jab, cross combination.
Merceli tries to close the distance and clinch but Huge swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Merceli pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merceli swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Huge counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Merceli moves into range and clinches up with Huge.
Huge keeps control of Merceli as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Merceli holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Merceli tightens his grip and picks Huge up, before dumping him to the ground. Huge manages to land in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Merceli decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Huge, up you get!
Huge shoots in for a takedown but Merceli shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Merceli throws a series of punches but Huge avoids them all with ease.
Merceli takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A slow jab from Merceli misses its intended target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Huge, right into the meat.
Huge shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Merceli defends it nicely.
Maximus Merceli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Huge.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Huge lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Huge dodges the punch combination from Merceli.

Merceli feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Maximus Merceli overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Merceli stands and steps away. Huge gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Huge is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Merceli tries for a takedown but Huge sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Merceli throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Huge counters with a left and a right that stings Merceli.
Huge showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Merceli.
Huge's jab looks to have found its range, popping Merceli under the eye.

Merceli closes the distance and clinches.
Huge wants a takedown.

Merceli breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Merceli. Those never looked like landing.
Merceli slaps away a takedown attempt from Huge, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merceli throws a lazy uppercut
and Huge counters with an outside leg kick.
Maximus Merceli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Merceli, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Merceli fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Huge scores with a three punch combo!
Merceli misses with an uppercut. Huge saw that one coming.
Huge showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Merceli.
Merceli throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sloppy strikes from Huge. Those never looked like landing.
Merceli is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Huge's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Merceli stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Merceli wants it to stay on the feet.

Merceli moves into range and clinches up with Huge.

Merceli breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Merceli throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Huge's waist but Huge gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Merceli off to one side.
Huge slips a straight right by Merceli.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Merceli does no damage.
Huge lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Huge cracks the inside of Merceli's front leg.
Huge dodges the punch combination from Merceli.
Huge jabs at Merceli's body.
Huge scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Huge keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Merceli wants to clinch up but Huge keeps it at a distance.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Merceli throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Huge sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Merceli jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Huge shoots in for a takedown but Merceli shows good takedown defense.
Merceli looks to land a combination but Huge avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maximus Merceli dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Huge shoots in for a double leg but Merceli sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Merceli is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Merceli fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Merceli tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Huge swivels and escapes.
Huge dodges the punch combination from Merceli.
Huge throws out a powerful jab.
Huge fails with a takedown attempt.

Merceli decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Merceli postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Huge to stand up.
Huge has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Merceli takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Merceli throws a combination that misses

and Huge counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Merceli is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Huge defends well.
Huge postures up in Merceli's guard and throws a big left but Merceli blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Huge stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merceli swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merceli looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Huge keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Merceli's head.
Merceli wants to stand but Huge is controlling the position.

Merceli is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Maximus Merceli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Huge keeps control of Merceli as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Huge lands an uppercut.

Merceli pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Huge scores with a nice head shot.
Maximus Merceli is winning the standup battle so far.
Huge displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Merceli throws out the jab.
Merceli is looking to clinch.
Huge throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Merceli's waist but Merceli gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Huge off to one side.
Maximus Merceli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Huge.
Merceli rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Huge moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Merceli shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Merceli showed some decent athleticism there.
Merceli is pressing down on Huge's thigh, looking to free his foot. Huge is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merceli perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Merceli seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Merceli trying to control from half guard but Huge is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Maximus Merceli.
Huge throws a nice outside leg kick.
Merceli misses with a few strikes there.
Huge misses the shot to the body.
Merceli tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Huge shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Merceli as he avoids it easily.

Merceli gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Huge throws and elbow that misses. Merceli uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Huge's guard. Nice move by Merceli!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merceli controlling from the top position.
Huge wants to sweep here but Merceli controlling him for the moment.
Matt Huge has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Huge is working an open guard so Merceli takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Huge slips under a jab.

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

Merceli works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maximus Merceli showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Merceli 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 William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maximus Merceli!