PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between FRANK MERR (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Young (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Young is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Zoo. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

MERR
vs
Young

178 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Prime Time Fighting Clothing

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, FRANK MERR!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jake Young!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Young misses with a few strikes there.
Young fails in his attempt to clinch.

MERR closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Young.
Young misses with a hook from the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Young.
MERR blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

MERR breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Young tries to bum rush MERR with a series of wild strikes but MERR uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Young looks to land a right hand but MERR moved out of range.
MERR moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
MERR shoots in but no luck this time.
A punch combination from MERR misses.
Young closes the distance but MERR moves to the side

and MERR counters by clinching up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Young.
Young misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A nice left hand lands by Young.
MERR pushes off an throws an elbow but Young leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
MERR tries for a takedown. No joy.
Young tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
MERR wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Young has him pressed against the cage.
MERR blocks a punch to the side of the head.
MERR changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Young fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for FRANK MERR. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MERR shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
MERR is breathing heavily.
Young tries to close the distance and clinch up but MERR swats him away and circles back towards the center.
MERR avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Young. MERR shrugs it off though.
Young blocks a low kick nicely.
Young wants to clinch but MERR slips to the side

and MERR counters by moving into the clinch.
Young has a couple of punches blocked by MERR.

Young breaks the clinch.
Young wants to clinch up but MERR keeps it at a distance.

Young clinches up with MERR and pushes him back against the cage.

Young breaks from the clinch.
MERR keeps the fight on the outside.
MERR swats away the attempt to clinch by Young.
MERR shoots in but Young avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Young closes the distance but MERR moves to the side
and MERR counters with a good low kick that Young was not able to check.
The fight stays on the outside here - Young looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
MERR throws a series of punches but Young avoids them all with ease.

Young clinches.
Young looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Young is trying to break the clinch but MERR has him pressed against the cage.
MERR looking for a takedown.
MERR wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Young tries to land a knee to the head but MERR blocks with his arms.

MERR manages to break the clinch.
MERR misses with a series of wild punches.
MERR shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
MERR circles away from the clinch attempt

so MERR counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MERR tries to stand but Young is controlling from the bottom.
MERR stopping the sweep attempt from Young.
Young is trying to control the position but MERR postures up.

MERR decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

MERR gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Young manages to break the clinch.
MERR misses with a combination
and Young counters with a left to the body.

MERR has Young up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MERR has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Young avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

MERR breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fighters circling - MERR throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
MERR misses with the combination.
Young darts in trying to clinch

and MERR moves into the clinch.
Young lands with a right to the head.
Young is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
MERR tries to break the clinch but Young is controlling the position.

MERR breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Young tries to keep at a distance but MERR has taken the fight into the clinch.
Young lands a damaging elbow.
Young comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A short left from Young.
Young tries to pull guard but MERR holds him up against the cage and eventually Young drops back down to his feet.
Young throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Young fails with an attempt to clinch.
MERR throws a combination that misses

and Young counters by clinching up.
Young is trying to maintain a safe position but MERR gets an underhook and turns Young into the cage.
MERR tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Young smiles and moves away.
Young wants to clinch

and MERR holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Young using the Thai plumb to throw knees but MERR has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Young.
A short body shot lands from Young as the two fighters clinch.
MERR prevents a body shot from Young.

Young breaks from the clinch.
Young throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
MERR throws a hook but Young avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MERR misses with a jab, cross combination.
Young clinches but MERR breaks the clinch
and MERR counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Young tries to clinch but MERR moves away

and MERR counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Young connects with a knee to the head.
Young wants to break free but MERR has control.

MERR escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
MERR fails to land with a series of punches.

Young fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with MERR, pushing him back against the cage.

MERR escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Young wants to clinch

and MERR moves into the clinch.
Young throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but MERR blocks it with crossed arms.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, MERR just misses with a elbow thrown towards Young's brow.
Young using the Thai plumb to throw knees but MERR has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Young misses with a knee to the head.
Young goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
MERR is looking to break free of the clinch but Young has double underhooks.
MERR blocking some punches.
Young throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
MERR wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
MERR wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Young manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Young keeping full guard, as MERR tries to pass.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Young holds on and takes a little breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Young is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Young bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in MERR's guard.
Young wants to control from the top but MERR keeps moving.
MERR wants to stand up but Young is controlling him.

MERR pushes Young off and scrambles back to his feet.
MERR misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from MERR misses.
MERR keeps the fight on the outside.
MERR moves out of range of the strikes.
MERR throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
MERR throws a left and a right that both miss
and Young counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Young tries to clinch
and MERR counters with a left and a right that stings Young.
Young closes the distance but MERR moves to the side

and MERR counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Young struggles to land a body shot inside as MERR controls his hands.
Young tries to land knees in the clinch but MERR avoids the damage to the body.
MERR blocks an uppercut.

MERR breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Young tries to clinch but MERR moves away

and MERR holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Young lands a body punch in the clinch.
MERR's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
MERR on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
MERR blocks a body shot from Young.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MERR breaks from the clinch.
MERR throws a right and a left that both miss.
Young wants to clinch but MERR slips to the side
and MERR counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Young moves into range and clinches up with MERR.
MERR is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Young gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
MERR wants to break free but Young has control.

MERR breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

MERR closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Young tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

MERR breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
MERR avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Young tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
MERR swinging wilding here.
Young throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and MERR moves into the clinch.
Young lands an elbow inside that MERR shrugs off.

It looks like FRANK MERR has been cut.
Young lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Young throws a punch but it's blocked by MERR.
Young misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from MERR.
MERR on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Young.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

FRANK MERR dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on FRANK MERR's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A combination from MERR does no damage.

MERR closes the distance and clinches.
MERR wants to break the clinch but can't.
Young lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down MERR.
MERR blocks an uppercut.
Young with a knee to the head.
Young lands an elbow that stopped MERR in his tracks for a moment.
Young lands a knee to the body.
Young lands a knee to the head.
Young connects with a nasty looking knee right to MERR's face.
Young lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Young connects with a knee to the head.
FRANK MERR has scored more points in the clinch so far.
MERR wants to get back to striking at distance but Young won't allow it.

MERR breaks the clinch.
MERR with a lazy takedown attempt
and Young counters with a one-two to the body.
Young showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from MERR.
Young takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MERR misses with a few strikes there.
Young dodges the punch combination from MERR.

Young gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MERR takes an elbow to the temple.
Young lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
MERR wants to break free but Young has control.
Young lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
MERR has had enough of the clinch but Young keeps him there for the moment.

Young breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
MERR swats away the attempt to clinch by Young.
MERR avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
MERR throws a nice looking combination but Young bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Young slips a jab and a cross from MERR.

Young moves into range and clinches up with MERR.
Young scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Young tries for a takedown. No joy.
Young lands a body punch in the clinch.
MERR is looking to break free of the clinch but Young has double underhooks.
MERR has had enough of the clinch but Young keeps him there for the moment.
A nice right hand lands inside from Young.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A shot in the inside from MERR.

MERR breaks the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - MERR scores with a four punch combination!
MERR drops Young with a right and a left! MERR comes rushing in but Young regains his composure and manages to keep MERR in guard.

Young is rocked!
Young wants to stand and escape but MERR is having none of it.
Young is still in real trouble! Can MERR finish him?
Young not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Young is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Young has his feet on MERR's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Young seems to have recovered his senses.

Young takes the fight into the clinch.
MERR is looking to break free of the clinch but Young has double underhooks.
Young unloads a knee to the mid-section. MERR lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Young works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Young breaks the clinch.
MERR throws a right and a left that Young avoids nicely.
Young tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and MERR counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Young is positioning himself well to prevent MERR advancing to mount.
Young blocking the ground and pound attempt from MERR.
MERR tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
MERR throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

MERR decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Young tries to clinch up but MERR circles away and keeps his distance.
FRANK MERR is winning the standup battle so far.
Young is looking to clinch.

Young darts in and clinches MERR up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Young tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Young tried to land a shot to the body but connects with MERR's elbow.

MERR breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
MERR closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A left and a right from MERR both land. Nice combination.
MERR throws a series of punches but Young moves out of range.
Young looks to clinch
and MERR counters with a leg kick.
MERR tries to clinch but Young moves out of range.
MERR tries to clinch but Young moves out of range.
Young tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
MERR throws a leg kick which misses Young's front leg but catches the back leg as Young tries to avoid it.
Jake Young has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Young circles away from the clinch attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Young tries to land a front kick but MERR steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
MERR fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
MERR swats away the attempt to clinch by Young.

And that's the end of the fight!
FRANK MERR showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for MERR, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... FRANK MERR!