PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Merchant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Merchant
vs
Johnson

194 cm
18
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, David Merchant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Johnson!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Eddie Farnsworth and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Merchant enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Merchant manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Merchant manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Merchant controls the pace.
Johnson has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Merchant has passed into side control.
Merchant works to advance to full mount. Johnson defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Johnson 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 in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Johnson tries to hold on but Merchant pushes him away.
Merchant tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson is working to get back to half guard.

Merchant is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Merchant.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Merchant lands a body punch.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Merchant has him pressed against the cage.

Johnson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Johnson working away.
Johnson working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Merchant wants to control but Johnson postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchant manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Merchant looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Johnson keeping hold of Merchant's head, controlling as best he can.
Merchant not doing much here.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Merchant is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Merchant tries to pass the half guard into mount. Johnson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Merchant trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because David Merchant wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Merchant shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Merchant keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Merchant keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

Johnson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Merchant is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Merchant has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merchant advances position into side control!
Merchant has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Merchant controlling his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Merchant looking to control but Johnson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Merchant dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Merchant pushes Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson is trying to break free.
Merchant lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Johnson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Merchant gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Merchant wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Merchant slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merchant forces his way into half guard.
Merchant passes to full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merchant wants to take Johnson's back here but Johnson is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Johnson is squirming around, avoiding Merchant's attempts to control the action.
Johnson is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to hold on but Merchant postures up.
Merchant controlling the pace for now.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Merchant working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Johnson taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson can't escape the position.
Johnson has given up his back here.
Johnson can't escape the position.
Johnson is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Merchant.

Merchant patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Merchant keeps control of the position easily here as Johnson tries to buck him off.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Merchant looking to break Johnson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Johnson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Merchant will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Merchant.

Johnson is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Merchant is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Johnson is defending well though. Merchant let's go of the attempt for now.

Johnson is looking to escape here. Oh dear - Merchant has locked on a rear naked choke here! Johnson is tapping out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). David Merchant!