PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Curt Merritt (ranked 4800 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tshokolo Reed (ranked 6445 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Merritt
vs
Reed

179 cm
18
346 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
18
289 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
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 London, Curt Merritt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Tshokolo Reed!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Richard Clark and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reed tries to clinch there but Merritt circles away.
As Reed tries to get set, Merritt tries to push him back and clinch up but Reed manages to avoid the attempt.

Reed closes the distance and clinches.

Reed breaks from the clinch.
Reed cracks the inside of Merritt's front leg.
Merritt tries to close the distance and clinch but Reed swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Reed is looking to clinch.
No luck for Reed with that takedown attempt.
Merritt changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reed misses with a combination

and Merritt decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Reed's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Reed is working an open guard so Merritt takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Reed closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Reed throws an elbow but misses.
Reed trying to control the position but instead, Merritt has worked for underhooks and has pushed Reed into the cage.
Reed's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Merritt drags the fight down to the ground.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Merritt holds on and takes a little breather.
Merritt bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Reed's guard.

Merritt stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Reed is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Merritt throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Reed sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Reed tries to clinch up.
Merritt is looking to counter punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reed is looking to clinch.
Merritt changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Reed scores with a one two! Merritt had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Curt Merritt has been cut.
Reed fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Reed fails in his attempt to clinch.
Reed scores with a sloppy right hand. Merritt should have avoided that one.
Reed tries to clinch up but Merritt circles away and keeps his distance.
Reed fails to land with a series of punches.
Reed looks winded!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reed pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reed moves into the clinch successfully.

Merritt jumps guard and drags Reed to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Merritt pulls Reed in close to prevent any damage.

Reed is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Merritt has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Reed is looking to defend but Merritt has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Reed! Merritt pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Reed taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Curt Merritt!