PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Felix Merquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rez Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Merquez kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Mind Da Gap feat. Valete - Não Pára. Cortez is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Hit Me Baby One More Time by Britney Spears . Felix Merquez could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Rez Cortez's chin.

Merquez
vs
Cortez

177 cm
25
193 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

185 cm
30
200 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Felix Merquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rez Cortez!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cortez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The crowd cheers as Cortez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Merquez doesn't seem phased though.
Cortez lands with a straight right. Merquez didn't see that one coming.
Merquez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cortez.

It looks like Felix Merquez has been cut.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Cortez enables Merquez to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Cortez manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cortez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Merquez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Merquez landing with the ground and pound.
Merquez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Merquez distracts Cortez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cortez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cortez is trying to keep Merquez in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Cortez keeps trying to improve his position.
Merquez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cortez wants to stand up but Merquez is controlling him.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cortez misses with a series of wild punches.
Cortez takes a swing at Merquez's ribcage but misses.
Cortez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Merquez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez stuns Merquez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
No joy there for Cortez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The crowd cheers as Cortez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Merquez doesn't seem phased though.

Merquez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Cortez!
Merquez works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Merquez lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
You can see the frustration on Cortez's face as Merquez controls the position.
Merquez lands a decent elbow from side control.
Cortez pushes Merquez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Merquez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Cortez is looking for a sweep.
Merquez wants to control but Cortez is keeping him busy.

Merquez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cortez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merquez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cortez has escaped the position, nice work there.
Merquez wants to control but Cortez is keeping him busy.
Cortez is trying to control Merquez's posture but Merquez avoids it.

Merquez tries for a kimura but Cortez is defending well.
Cortez is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Cortez tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Merquez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Merquez has hold of Cortez's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Cortez seems comfortable defending it but Merquez has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Cortez is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Cortez is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Merquez couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:12 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.