PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Boxer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reynald Mercier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Boxer
vs
Mercier

190 cm
33
210 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

197 cm
30
247 lbs
11 - 13 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Boxer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Reynald Mercier!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Boxer, right into the meat.
Boxer connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
No luck for Mercier with that takedown attempt.
Boxer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mercier counters with a left to the body.
Mercier swings for the body but Boxer moves out of range.
Mercier missing with a left hand there. Boxer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A shot to the body from Boxer misses
and Mercier counters with a stiff right hand.
Boxer throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boxer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mercier.
Joe Boxer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slapping leg kick lands for Boxer.
Boxer doesn't manage to clinch there - Mercier circles away.
Boxer misses with a low kick.
Boxer throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mercier.
Boxer lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boxer lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Boxer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mercier.
Mercier looks to throw the jab but Boxer is out of range.
Boxer thuds his right hand into Mercier's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mercier uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Boxer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boxer misses with a head kick.
Mercier fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Boxer connects with a leg kick. Mercier looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
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!
Mercier takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A big right from Boxer misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxer tests Mercier's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mercier thuds his right hand into Boxer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Boxer fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Boxer closes the distance looking to clinch

and Mercier counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mercier.
Mercier stops Boxer from standing up.
Boxer pulls Mercier in to control the position.
Mercier preventing the sweep.
Boxer is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mercier is controlling him.
Mercier tries to free his leg and advance position but Boxer is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boxer wants to stand up but Mercier is controlling him.
Mercier trying to control but Boxer is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Boxer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mercier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mercier avoids the head kick by Boxer.
A nice inside leg kick there by Boxer. That's going to slow Mercier down.
Mercier misses with a body shot
and Boxer counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercier takes a swing at Boxer's ribcage but misses.
Mercier throws a body kick that misses.
The fighters circling - Boxer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Boxer swinging wildly here.
Mercier blocks a jab.
Boxer defending well as Mercier loads up on a big left hand.
Boxer scores with a jab. Mercier acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Boxer lands a head kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boxer throws a hook but Mercier blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sloppy strikes from Boxer. Those never looked like landing.
Boxer scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mercier doesn't seem bothered though.
Boxer tries a head kick but it misses.
Joe Boxer is winning the standup battle so far.

Mercier shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mercier trying to control but Boxer is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boxer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mercier is one step ahead there.
Mercier trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Boxer trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boxer is really struggling to control Mercier but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mercier throws a big elbow that misses.
Mercier wants to control from the top but Boxer keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mercier throws a right hand that Boxer ducks under and follows up with a left that Boxer also avoids with ease.
Mercier scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Boxer fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Reynald Mercier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boxer misses with a hook. Mercier ducked under it nicely.
Boxer throws a body punch but Mercier moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Boxer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mercier throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Boxer. Mercier shrugs it off though.
Boxer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercier's sensitive parts.
Boxer tries to clinch but Mercier moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boxer misses with a body shot.
Joe Boxer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boxer throws a series of punches but Mercier avoids them all with ease.
Boxer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mercier checks a leg kick.
Mercier throws a shot to the body.
Boxer fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercier ducks under a wild hook from Boxer.
Boxer steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mercier.
Mercier cracks Boxer with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Mercier looks to score with a jab to the body but Boxer is just out of range.
Mercier takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A nice combination there by Boxer.
A jab from Mercier misses.
Boxer swinging wildly here.
Good leg kick by Boxer there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Boxer avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boxer cracks Mercier with an open hand slap.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Boxer misses with a combination
enabling Mercier to counter with a crisp jab.
Boxer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Boxer misses with a body shot.
Mercier throws a jab but it's blocked by Boxer.
Boxer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mercier.
Boxer lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mercier's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Boxer rushes Mercier and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Mercier has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Boxer uses from the top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Boxer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Joe Boxer will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Boxer fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mercier has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
An inside leg kick lands from Boxer.
Mercier throws an overhand right that lands on Boxer's shoulder, as Boxer tries to avoid the shot.
Boxer misses with a wild body shot.
Boxer lands with a shot to the body.
Boxer tests Mercier's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Boxer wants to slow Mercier down by chopping away at his legs.
That kick from Boxer tenderised Mercier's leg. Mercier is trying to keep his angry face on.

Mercier shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
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!
Boxer looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mercier postures up in Boxer's guard and throws a big left but Boxer blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mercier has gone for a leg lock! Boxer slips out almost immediately though and dives into Mercier's guard.
Boxer wants to control from the top but Mercier keeps moving.

Mercier is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Boxer throws a big right hand that misses.
Reynald Mercier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercier throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mercier holds on and takes a little breather.
Mercier keeping full guard, as Boxer tries to pass.
Boxer tries to stand but Mercier is controlling from the bottom.
Boxer wants to control from the top but Mercier keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Mercier is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Boxer is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boxer wants to stand and escape but instead Mercier has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Mercier trying to control but Boxer is working from the bottom.
Boxer looking to control.
Mercier throws a big elbow that misses.
Mercier wants to control from the top but Boxer keeps moving.
Boxer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mercier stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Boxer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mercier trying to control but Boxer is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercier tries to free his leg and advance position but Boxer is retaining full guard.
Boxer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Boxer controls Mercier momentarily but Mercier frees himself.

Joe Boxer has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Mercier shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice strikes from Mercier there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercier thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Boxer's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Reynald Mercier.
I think Boxer 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!