PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Philippe Merchant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Greg McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Merchant
vs
McDonald

185 cm
19
220 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

182 cm
28
262 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Philippe Merchant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Greg McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McDonald drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald working away.
Merchant is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Merchant is looking to control McDonald's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Merchant avoid being mounted?
Merchant is trying to get back to full guard.

Merchant looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Merchant looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McDonald is keen to just control but Merchant is a slippery customer.

Merchant looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merchant tries to get to full guard but McDonald has control of the leg.

Merchant looking for submissions off his back.
McDonald prevents Merchant from improving his position.
McDonald really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Merchant. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Merchant manages to get to full guard.
McDonald must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McDonald wanted to stand there but Merchant had control of the position.
McDonald controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Merchant keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Merchant working for a triangle but McDonald defends it easily.
Merchant is trying to keep McDonald in close.

Merchant is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McDonald is aware though and is defending well.

Merchant is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merchant looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

McDonald gets to his feet. Merchant looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald shoots in and gets a takedown into Merchant's guard.
McDonald missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Merchant escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McDonald gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Merchant working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McDonald doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McDonald manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merchant swivels though and keeps the full guard.

McDonald got a little sloppy there for a moment and Merchant has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McDonald has managed to get both his arms back between Merchant's legs - danger averted.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Merchant keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merchant had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McDonald defends it easily.
McDonald stays in close to Merchant's body and controls the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Merchant escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McDonald gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merchant swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald trying to control but Merchant is working from the bottom.

Merchant looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but McDonald is defending well. Merchant quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! McDonald has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Merchant celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Philippe Merchant!
An out of breath Philippe Merchant thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.