PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Muir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rachid Elmerkaoui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Rachid Elmerkaoui enters the cage!

Muir
vs
Elmerkaoui

189 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
19
245 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Cheat Fightwear

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, Joseph Muir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rachid Elmerkaoui!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Hugh Johnson and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Elmerkaoui misses.

Elmerkaoui gets a takedown into half guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Elmerkaoui has eaten all the pies!
Muir wants to get back to his feet.
Muir scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Elmerkaoui manages to mount him!

Elmerkaoui is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Elmerkaoui scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Muir doesn't seem bothered though.
Muir is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Elmerkaoui lands a nice shot to the body.
Elmerkaoui closes the distance and clinches up with Muir, looking for a takedown. Elmerkaoui pushes Muir against the cage but Muir circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Muir tries to bum rush Elmerkaoui with a series of wild strikes but Elmerkaoui uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice takedown defense from Muir. No joy for Elmerkaoui on that attempt.
Elmerkaoui connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

It looks like Joseph Muir has been cut.
Elmerkaoui looks to land a combination but Muir avoids it well.
Elmerkaoui lands with a shot to the body.
Elmerkaoui throws a big shot that misses.

Muir gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Elmerkaoui gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Elmerkaoui shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Muir as he jumps to the side.
Joseph Muir has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rachid Elmerkaoui.
Elmerkaoui looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Muir throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Muir blocks a jab.
Muir looks to land a right hand but Elmerkaoui moved out of range.
Elmerkaoui avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Elmerkaoui fails with the takedown.
Muir throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Elmerkaoui fails with a takedown attempt.
Elmerkaoui shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muir misses with a double jab.
Muir lands with a right hand.
Elmerkaoui looks to land a combination. Muir sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Muir fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Joseph Muir is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Elmerkaoui misses with a combination
and Muir counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Muir throws a left and a right that both miss

and Elmerkaoui counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Muir pushes Elmerkaoui off looking to stand but Elmerkaoui dives back in and keeps control.
Muir wants to stand back up but Elmerkaoui manages to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muir is pushing Elmerkaoui's head away, looking to escape. Elmerkaoui manages to hold on to the position though.
Muir trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Elmerkaoui lands an overhand right.
A lazy left from Elmerkaoui finds it's target.
Muir throws a sloppy body shot
and Elmerkaoui counters with a good low kick that Muir was not able to check.
Elmerkaoui gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Muir.
Elmerkaoui fails with the takedown.
Elmerkaoui fails with a takedown attempt.
Muir throws a good cross that connects.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elmerkaoui throws a shot from downtown. Muir moves away and avoids it.
Elmerkaoui takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Elmerkaoui takes one on the button.
Elmerkaoui fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Muir takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Horrible takedown by Elmerkaoui or perhaps it was just good defense by Muir which made him look bad.
Elmerkaoui staying out of range there.
Elmerkaoui has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Elmerkaoui there as he acknowledges the shot.
Muir swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Elmerkaoui.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Elmerkaoui slips under a jab.
A big left from Elmerkaoui misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Muir gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Muir wants to stand up but Elmerkaoui is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rachid Elmerkaoui dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joseph Muir's cut.
That's time! Muir's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Elmerkaoui works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Elmerkaoui with a jab.
Muir lands a jab to the head.
Elmerkaoui avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Elmerkaoui scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Elmerkaoui.

Elmerkaoui closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Elmerkaoui stands up.
Rachid Elmerkaoui seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Muir misses with a combination

and Elmerkaoui counters with a nice double leg into side control. Muir won't be happy with that.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Elmerkaoui stands up and beckons Muir to his feet.
Muir stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice shot lands for Muir.
Elmerkaoui fails with a takedown attempt.
Joseph Muir has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rachid Elmerkaoui.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elmerkaoui slips a jab and a cross from Muir.
Elmerkaoui throws a combination that misses
and Muir counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Elmerkaoui displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Muir throws out the jab.
Muir misses with a combination

and Elmerkaoui counters with a nice double leg into side control. Muir won't be happy with that.

Elmerkaoui has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Elmerkaoui darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Elmerkaoui shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Elmerkaoui decides to stand and escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some wild striking there from Muir.
Muir takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Elmerkaoui fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Elmerkaoui scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Muir scores with a body shot.
Elmerkaoui shoots in for a double leg but Muir sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No luck for Elmerkaoui with that takedown attempt.
A jab from Muir finds it's way through Elmerkaoui's defenses.
Muir displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
No luck for Elmerkaoui with that takedown attempt.
Muir moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Muir uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Elmerkaoui.
Muir misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muir scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Elmerkaoui doesn't seem bothered though.
Muir has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Muir there as he acknowledges the shot.
Muir throws a nice looking combination but Elmerkaoui bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Decent striking displayed by Elmerkaoui there.
Elmerkaoui has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Muir's corner calls for a 1-2. Muir obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Elmerkaoui tries for a takedown but Muir sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Elmerkaoui avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Muir connects with a crisp jab.

Elmerkaoui shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Elmerkaoui was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Elmerkaoui won't let Muir get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Elmerkaoui gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Elmerkaoui shoots in and drives through. Muir sprawls well.
Muir connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Elmerkaoui or perhaps it was just good defense by Muir which made him look bad.
Joseph Muir is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Muir does no damage.
Elmerkaoui thows a body shot but no joy.
Elmerkaoui shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Muir counters with a three punch combo that has Elmerkaoui backing up. Elmerkaoui nods at Muir to acknowledge the strikes.
Muir rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Elmerkaoui moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Muir is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Elmerkaoui.
A left lands for Elmerkaoui.
Elmerkaoui throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Muir changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Elmerkaoui has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Muir lands a jab to the head.
Elmerkaoui shoots in but Muir avoids the takedown attempt easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Muir throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Danga de danga de dang - Muir scores with a four punch combination!
Muir dodges the punch combination from Elmerkaoui.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rachid Elmerkaoui showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joseph Muir's cut.
That's time! Muir's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Elmerkaoui cracks Muir with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Elmerkaoui tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Muir swivels and escapes.
Muir lands a right hook to the body.
Muir fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Muir moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Elmerkaoui fails with the takedown.
Muir will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Muir throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Elmerkaoui misses with a takedown
and Muir counters with a three punch combo that has Elmerkaoui backing up. Elmerkaoui nods at Muir to acknowledge the strikes.
Joseph Muir has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rachid Elmerkaoui.
Muir throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Elmerkaoui misses with a straight right.
Muir punishes Elmerkaoui's body with a nice straight punch.
Elmerkaoui lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Muir is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muir walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Elmerkaoui shoots in looking for a takedown. Muir tries to sprawl out of it but Elmerkaoui keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Muir manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Elmerkaoui misses with a series of wild punches.
Muir lands a jab to Elmerkaoui's midsection.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Muir!
No joy there for Muir, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Elmerkaoui misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Elmerkaoui has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Elmerkaoui takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Muir lands with a straight right. Elmerkaoui didn't see that one coming.
Elmerkaoui might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Jab from Muir.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Elmerkaoui.
Muir wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Elmerkaoui. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Muir explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Elmerkaoui tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Muir swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elmerkaoui defending well as Muir loads up on a big left hand.
Muir throws a right and a left that both miss.
Elmerkaoui throws a hook but Muir avoids it easily.
Muir throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Muir misses with a double jab.
Muir takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Muir swinging wilding here.
Elmerkaoui throws a right and a left that Muir avoids nicely.
The fighters circling - Muir throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Elmerkaoui shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Muir on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Elmerkaoui on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nice sprawl there from Muir as Elmerkaoui shoots in.
Muir throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Elmerkaoui.
Muir misses with a few strikes there.
Elmerkaoui will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

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.
Elmerkaoui is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Muir.
Muir throws a right and a left that both miss.
Elmerkaoui scores with a one two! Muir had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Elmerkaoui tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Muir swivels and escapes.
Danga de danga de dang - Elmerkaoui scores with a four punch combination!
Elmerkaoui fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Muir misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Elmerkaoui connects with the punch.
Elmerkaoui takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Elmerkaoui shoots for a double leg takedown but Muir sprawls well. He's pushed Elmerkaoui's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Muir smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Muir looks to land a combination but Elmerkaoui avoids it well.
Muir rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Elmerkaoui moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Muir throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Elmerkaoui sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Elmerkaoui tries for a takedown but Muir sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Joseph Muir has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rachid Elmerkaoui is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Muir scores with a nice right hand.
Elmerkaoui uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Muir.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph Muir showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Elmerkaoui 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rachid Elmerkaoui!