PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 1511 p4p, 183 weight class) and Pit Canthropus Jr (ranked 648 p4p, 76 weight class). Canthropus Jr has chosen Austin Powers - Daddy Wasn't There as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Merlin
vs
Canthropus Jr

170 cm
23
162 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

175 cm
23
165 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xavier Merlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pit Canthropus Jr!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Topper Green and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merlin throws a jab when Canthropus Jr was well out of range.
Merlin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Canthropus Jr sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Merlin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Canthropus Jr counters with a thumping low kick.
Merlin throws a body punch but Canthropus Jr moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Canthropus Jr misses.
Merlin on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Merlin looks to land a right hand but Canthropus Jr moved out of range.
Merlin throws a right and a left that both miss.
And Canthropus Jr responds with a good body kick, but Merlin manages to step out the way in time.
A head kick misses from Canthropus Jr.
Merlin avoids the head kick by Canthropus Jr.
Merlin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Merlin appears to be looking for a big counter.
Merlin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Canthropus Jr defending well as Merlin loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Canthropus Jr throws a quick inside leg kick.
Merlin throws a hook but Canthropus Jr blocks it.
Canthropus Jr swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Merlin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Merlin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Canthropus Jr tries to avoid it but Merlin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Canthropus Jr to the ground. Canthropus Jr escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Merlin connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin throws a shot from downtown. Canthropus Jr moves away and avoids it.
Nice body kick there by Canthropus Jr.
Merlin misses with a lunging right hand
and Canthropus Jr counters with a thumping low kick.
Canthropus Jr avoids the body shot from Merlin.
Canthropus Jr with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Canthropus Jr throws a sloppy body shot
and Merlin counters with a straight right hand.
Canthropus Jr leaves Merlin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Canthropus Jr raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Merlin lands a nice hook to Canthropus Jr's body. Canthropus Jr takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Merlin misses with a looping left.
Merlin backing away here, and Canthropus Jr unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Merlin walks into a stiff left hand from Canthropus Jr.
Canthropus Jr throws a hook but Merlin avoids it easily.
Merlin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Canthropus Jr connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Merlin misses with a hook
and Canthropus Jr counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Canthropus Jr tests Merlin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Canthropus Jr throws a head kick that misses.

Canthropus Jr closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Merlin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Canthropus Jr fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Merlin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merlin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Merlin on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Canthropus Jr steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Merlin.
Canthropus Jr fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Merlin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Canthropus Jr.
Merlin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Merlin throws a lazy uppercut
and Canthropus Jr counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Canthropus Jr fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Merlin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Canthropus Jr lands a head kick!

Merlin is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin misses with an uppercut.
Merlin misses with a shot to the body

and Canthropus Jr holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Merlin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Canthropus Jr is defending well.
Merlin wants a takedown.

Canthropus Jr manages to break the clinch.
Merlin throws a poor cross that misses
and Canthropus Jr counters with a right hand to the body.
Canthropus Jr takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Canthropus Jr moves into range and clinches up with Merlin.
Canthropus Jr prevents the takedown attempt.
Canthropus Jr struggles to land a body shot inside as Merlin controls his hands.
Merlin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Canthropus Jr gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Merlin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A hook to the body from Canthropus Jr.
Canthropus Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Canthropus Jr throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Merlin is breathing heavily.
Canthropus Jr tries a body shot but Merlin blocks it.
Canthropus Jr digs a right hand into Merlin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Merlin's gas tank.
Canthropus Jr tries to throw a body punch but Merlin avoids it by throwing Canthropus Jr back against the cage.
A short right from Canthropus Jr on the inside.
Merlin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Canthropus Jr lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Canthropus Jr lands a nice uppercut.
Oh Merlin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Merlin tries to work over Canthropus Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Merlin wants to take the fight to the mat but Canthropus Jr manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Merlin takes a shot to the head.
Canthropus Jr lands with a left to the head.
Merlin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Canthropus Jr after a bit of a struggle.
Canthropus Jr unloads with a big right hand that wobbles Merlin! He's leaning against the cage trying to keep his feet but Canthropus Jr is unloading with more strikes now! Merlin drops to his knees and the referee stops the fight for a TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Pit Canthropus Jr!
A very excited looking Pit Canthropus Jr made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.