PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Oyalade (ranked 2730 p4p, 296 weight class) and Johnson Mecker (ranked 3970 p4p, 409 weight class). Mecker has chosen Ace of Spades as his entrance music. Stephen Oyalade has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Oyalade
vs
Mecker

177 cm
26
157 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

180 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stephen Oyalade!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Johnson Mecker!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Kenichi Hosakawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.
Mecker throws an elbow that misses.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mecker clinches with his opponent.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mecker takes the fight into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Mecker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mecker stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mecker wants it to stay on the feet.
Oyalade shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mecker pinned against the cage. Mecker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
As Oyalade backs off Mecker throws a huge counter combo but Oyalade manages to avoid it all.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.
Oyalade wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Oyalade. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mecker manages to break the clinch.

Oyalade tries to keep at a distance but Mecker has taken the fight into the clinch.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Oyalade tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Oyalade shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mecker defends it nicely.

Mecker drives through and clinches with Oyalade against the cage.

Mecker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mecker moves into range and clinches up with Oyalade.

Mecker has Oyalade pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Mecker pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Oyalade tumbling to the mat - Mecker dives into Oyalade's guard.
Mecker must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mecker stopping the sweep attempt from Oyalade.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oyalade keeping moving, preventing Mecker from controlling successfully.

Mecker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Oyalade has a closed guard, preventing Mecker from standing up.
Mecker wants to control from the top but Oyalade keeps moving.
Oyalade trying to keep a closed guard but Mecker is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mecker wanted to stand there but Oyalade had control of the position.
Oyalade utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oyalade looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Oyalade keeping moving, preventing Mecker from controlling successfully.
Oyalade is trying to keep Mecker in close.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mecker slaps away a takedown attempt from Oyalade, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Mecker has managed to clinch.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mecker moves into the clinch successfully.

Mecker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson Mecker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mecker darts in and clinches Oyalade up against the cage.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mecker breaks the clinch.

Mecker clinches up against the cage.

Mecker manages to break the clinch.

Mecker gets a clinch.

Mecker breaks the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mecker clinches up against the cage.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mecker gets a clinch.

Mecker breaks the clinch.

Mecker darts in and clinches Oyalade up against the cage.

Mecker gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Oyalade is looking for a sweep. Mecker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mecker trying to control from half guard but Oyalade is working away.
Mecker wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Oyalade uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnson Mecker dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mecker gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Mecker breaks the clinch.

Mecker forces Oyalade back against the cage and clinches.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mecker closes the distance and pushes Oyalade back into the cage.

Mecker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Oyalade pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Mecker gets a clinch.
Mecker lands a nice shot to the body.
Oyalade tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mecker's elbow.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mecker gets a clinch.
Oyalade tries to stall but Mecker uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Oyalade dives in and grabs Mecker's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mecker pushes down on Oyalade's head and hops out.

Mecker clinches up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mecker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mecker gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Mecker manages to break the clinch.

Mecker clinches with his opponent.
Mecker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Oyalade has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mecker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Mecker breaks the clinch.
Oyalade fails in his attempt to clinch.
And Mecker tries to counter it with a takedown but Oyalade pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Johnson Mecker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Mecker clinches.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Oyalade misses with a takedown attempt - Mecker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Oyalade. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mecker clinches up with Oyalade and pushes him back against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Mecker throws an elbow but misses.

Mecker turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Mecker manages to end up in side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Mecker stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Mecker clinches up with Oyalade and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oyalade tries to pull guard but Mecker holds him up against the cage and eventually Oyalade drops back down to his feet.

Mecker breaks the clinch.

Mecker takes the fight into the clinch.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mecker closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Oyalade fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mecker drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Oyalade gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mecker has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.

Mecker has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mecker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mecker stuffs the takedown.

Mecker moves into range and clinches up with Oyalade.

Mecker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mecker rushes Oyalade and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Oyalade stops a takedown attempt from Mecker.
Mecker is breathing heavily.

Mecker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Oyalade fails in his attempt to clinch.
Oyalade misses with a head kick.

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.
Oyalade gets underhooks to prevent Mecker's takedown attempt.
Johnson Mecker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Mecker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mecker has closed the distance and engaged Oyalade in a clinch.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Oyalade tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mecker defends well and Oyalade ends up having to push Mecker into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Mecker forces Oyalade back against the cage and clinches.
Oyalade drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mecker gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short left from Mecker.
Mecker is pressed up against the cage. Oyalade has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mecker down to the mat. Mecker avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Oyalade darts in looking for a takedown but Mecker gets double underhooks and turns Oyalade into the cage.
Oyalade wants to clinch.
Mecker blocks a head kick by Oyalade.

Mecker gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Oyalade misses with a takedown attempt - Mecker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Johnson Mecker seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Mecker pushes Oyalade up against the cage in a clinch.
Mecker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mecker tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnson Mecker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.

Mecker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mecker moves into the clinch.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stephen Oyalade is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mecker gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Mecker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mecker takes the fight into the clinch.
Oyalade drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oyalade shoots in for a double leg but Mecker sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mecker unleashes a big counter combination but Oyalade bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mecker rushes Oyalade and presses him up against the cage.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oyalade cracks Mecker with an open hand slap.
Oyalade tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mecker swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Oyalade. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mecker closes the distance and pushes Oyalade back into the cage.

Mecker breaks from the clinch.

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mecker slaps away a takedown attempt from Oyalade, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Mecker forces Oyalade back against the cage and clinches.

Mecker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mecker instigates a clinch.

Mecker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mecker gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Oyalade is trying to force a seperation but Mecker has the dominant position.

Mecker manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oyalade fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mecker avoids it really well and circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mecker closes the distance and pushes Oyalade back into the cage.
Mecker can't get the takedown.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mecker rushes Oyalade and presses him up against the cage.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Oyalade tries for a takedown but Mecker sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Mecker moves into the clinch successfully.

Mecker breaks the clinch.

Mecker moves into the clinch successfully.
Mecker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oyalade is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mecker rushes Oyalade and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Mecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mecker gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Mecker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Oyalade shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mecker as he jumps to the side.

Mecker darts in and clinches Oyalade up against the cage.
Oyalade tries to stall but Mecker uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Oyalade is looking to control Mecker's arms but Mecker gets an underhook and turns him. Now Oyalade has his back to the cage.
Oyalade seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Mecker is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mecker rushes Oyalade and presses him up against the cage.
Oyalade tries to score a body lock takedown but Mecker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mecker closes the distance and clinches.
Oyalade fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Mecker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Oyalade tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mecker swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Mecker takes the fight into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mecker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Oyalade throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Mecker moves into the clinch.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mecker drives through and clinches with Oyalade against the cage.

Mecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Oyalade tries a head kick but it misses.
Stephen Oyalade has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson Mecker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Oyalade throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mecker.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnson Mecker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mecker 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 26:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 26:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnson Mecker!
Johnson Mecker opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.