PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jarvis Mercado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Westwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Westwood has chosen Finger Eleven - Slow Chemical as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mercado
vs
Westwood

218 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
241 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jarvis Mercado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Westwood!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Ben Hemmingworth and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Westwood darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Westwood thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Westwood controlling the pace.
Mercado moves into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mercado seems keen to control Westwood's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado trying to keep a closed guard but Westwood is proving a slippery customer.
Westwood wants to stand and escape but instead Mercado has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Westwood trying to keep a closed guard but Mercado is proving a slippery customer.
Westwood controlling the position.
Westwood keeping moving, preventing Mercado from controlling successfully.

Mercado has gone for a leg lock! Westwood slips out almost immediately though and dives into Mercado's guard.

Mercado can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Westwood controls the pace.
Mercado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Westwood postures up.
Westwood is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mercado is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Westwood trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Westwood is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Westwood landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Westwood passes Mercado's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Westwood is working for a submission of some sort.
Mercado wants to control but Westwood is keeping busy and won't allow it.
It looks like Westwood is going to stand back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Westwood throws a body punch but Mercado moves out of range.
Mercado tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Westwood manages to circle out of the way.
Westwood shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Westwood misses with a few strikes there.
Mercado slaps away a takedown attempt from Westwood, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mercado tries to counter by clinching up but Westwood breaks away and moves out of range.

Westwood gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mercado is trying to push Westwood away but Westwood has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mercado is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Westwood is keeping busy.
Westwood is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Westwood dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Westwood throws a sloppy body shot

and Mercado counters with a shoot takedown. Westwood fights it but they end up in guard.
Westwood is looking to stand up but Mercado isn't so interested in that idea.
Mercado slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Mercado drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Westwood manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mercado has Westwood in his guard.

Westwood pushes down on Mercado's leg and manages to get into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado tries to roll over but Westwood keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Westwood trying to control the pace.
Mercado taking some punishment here, with Westwood in his half guard.

Westwood is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mercado defends it well.

Westwood is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mercado is just riding it out for now. Westwood eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Westwood missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mercado controlling the position for now.
Westwood is keen to just control but Mercado is a slippery customer.
Westwood working Mercado over with strikes.
John Westwood has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Westwood.
Mercado has hold of Westwood's hands but Westwood slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Westwood is looking to take a break and control but Mercado is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Westwood missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Mercado tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Westwood paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It seemed like Westwood was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Westwood fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mercado, pushing him back against the cage.
Mercado taking a breather.
Westwood lands a body shot.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Mercado as Westwood tries to tie him up.

Westwood has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mercado uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercado throws an elbow that misses. Westwood uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mercado's guard. Nice move by Westwood!

Mercado throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Westwood has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mercado managing to control the position.
Westwood wants to stand but Mercado is controlling his posture from full guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Westwood. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Westwood keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mercado's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Westwood showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Mercado's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mercado doesn't manage to clinch there - Westwood circles away.
Westwood will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mercado changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mercado moves out of range as Westwood strikes.
John Westwood is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Westwood shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Mercado's guard.
Westwood must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Westwood with a nice head shot there.
Westwood wants to pass the guard but Mercado is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Westwood has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mercado is proving hard to escape from.
Mercado keeping moving, preventing Westwood from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercado controlling the position.

Westwood postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mercado is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Westwood, into his guard.

Mercado drops back, looking for a kneebar! Westwood looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Westwood looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Westwood!

Mercado is not content to let Westwood control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercado is looking for a sweep.
John Westwood is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A lull in the action here.
Mercado is not content to let Westwood control the position.
Mercado regains half guard there - taking advantage of Westwood's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Westwood is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mercado sees it coming and defends easily.
Mercado trying to control here.
Westwood slows the pace down in half guard.
Westwood is looking to take a break and control but Mercado is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mercado wants to control but Westwood is keeping busy.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Westwood fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mercado to the ground. Westwood is now in Mercado's guard.
Westwood looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Westwood missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Westwood comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Westwood has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Westwood!
John Westwood made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'I Thank For The Fans Who Watched Here And I Just Want To Thank My Coach The Camp. I Will Train Hard To Make Myself Better And Better Every Day.'.