PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Nwachukwu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felix Merquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Merquez has chosen Mind Da Gap feat. Valete - Não Pára as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nwachukwu
vs
Merquez

189 cm
19
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

177 cm
21
193 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Nwachukwu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Felix Merquez!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Nwachukwu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nwachukwu tries a low kick but Merquez avoids it.
Nwachukwu throws a lazy right hand but Merquez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nwachukwu takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Merquez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nwachukwu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Merquez ducks under a wild hook from Nwachukwu.
Merquez keeps the fight on the outside.
Nwachukwu tries a head kick but it misses.

Nwachukwu closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Merquez to the mat! Merquez manages to get full guard.

Merquez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nwachukwu wants to control from the top but Merquez keeps moving.
Merquez is trying to control the position but Nwachukwu postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nwachukwu pushes down on Merquez's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Nwachukwu looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Merquez gets full guard.
Nwachukwu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merquez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merquez keeping moving, preventing Nwachukwu from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Merquez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nwachukwu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nwachukwu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nwachukwu looking to sit in guard and control but Merquez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Merquez wants to pass the guard but Nwachukwu is keeping the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merquez is looking to work some ground and pound but Nwachukwu has wrist control.
Nwachukwu wants to get back to his feet but Merquez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Merquez slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nwachukwu is looking to improve his position.
Merquez is looking to take a break and control but Nwachukwu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Merquez thows a huge punch but Nwachukwu dodges it nicely.
Merquez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nwachukwu's head.
Nwachukwu looks like he's trying to stand up.
Merquez thows a huge punch but Nwachukwu dodges it nicely.
Merquez not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Merquez seems to be working for a kimura but Nwachukwu defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merquez slows the pace down in half guard.

Merquez has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Nwachukwu defend it? Merquez steps over the head and cranks it - Nwachukwu is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Merquez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Felix Merquez!
Our winner, Felix Merquez, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.