PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 4199 p4p, 3168 weight class) and Miki Viki (ranked 481 p4p, 387 weight class). Miki Viki has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Xavier Merlin's chin.

Merlin
vs
Viki

170 cm
30
162
16 - 22 - 0

170 cm
32
160
25 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 16 - 22 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xavier Merlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Miki Viki!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merlin avoids the body shot from Viki.
Viki loads up on a big right hand but Merlin slips the punch.
Merlin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Merlin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Viki.
Merlin has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Merlin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Merlin slips under a jab from Viki.
Merlin moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Miki Viki has been cut.
Viki is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Viki takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Merlin misses with a hook.
Merlin looks to land a right hand but Viki moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Viki.

Merlin drives through with a takedown into guard.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Viki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin prevents Viki from getting back to his feet.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Viki is keeping the position.
Viki wants to get back to his feet but Merlin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Viki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Viki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Viki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Merlin shoots for a takedown but Viki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Viki throws out a counter right but Merlin avoids it with no problem.
Viki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Viki misses with a lunging right hand

and Merlin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Merlin is standing up over Viki. Viki looks to escape but Merlin dives into side control.
Merlin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Viki is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Merlin has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Merlin wants to control but Viki is keeping him busy.
Merlin is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Viki will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Merlin looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Viki is avoiding damage well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin throws a strike aimed at the side of Viki's head but Viki avoids it well.
Merlin sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Viki is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Viki wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Merlin misses with the ground and pound.
Viki parries the strikes from Merlin easily there. Merlin is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Viki to escape.
A lull in the action here as Merlin stalls from top position.
Viki really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Merlin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Merlin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Viki, who protects the arm well.
The ground and pound from Merlin seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Merlin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Merlin tries for a kimura but Viki is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viki is being controlled here.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Viki keeps working.
Sloppy strikes there by Merlin.
Merlin misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Merlin controls the position from side control.
Merlin throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Merlin taking a breather here.
Viki is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Merlin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Miki Viki's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Merlin misses with a series of wild punches.
Merlin blocks a head kick by Viki.
Merlin changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Viki throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Merlin.
Viki defending well as Merlin loads up on a big left hand.
Viki steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Merlin jabs at Viki's body.
Merlin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Merlin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Viki can do to turn this around?
Merlin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Viki manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin lands with a cross.
Some wild striking there from Viki.

Merlin looking to score a takedown here. Viki is defending well but Merlin drives through and ends up in Viki's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Merlin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Viki wants to get back to his feet but Merlin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Merlin stays in close to Viki's body and controls the position.
Xavier Merlin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Merlin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Merlin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Viki wants to get back to his feet but Merlin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Viki throws a head kick that misses.
Merlin looks to land a right hand but Viki moved out of range.
Viki lands a nice shot to the body.
Merlin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Viki has time to react.

Viki gets caught napping as Merlin dives in and scores a takedown. Viki manages to retain guard.
Merlin won't allow Viki to get back to his feet.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Viki is keeping the position.
Merlin advances to half guard.
Viki wants to get back to his feet.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viki is looking to escape.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Merlin in particular looking to stall.
Viki tries to kick Merlin off but Merlin keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Merlin controlling the action here.
Viki is trying to stand.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Merlin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Viki throws a right hand that Merlin ducks under and follows up with a left that Merlin also avoids with ease.
Viki looks for the body kick but Merlin saw that one coming.

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.
Merlin lands with a shot to the body.
Viki throws a hook but Merlin avoids it easily.
Merlin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Viki misses with a wild body shot.
Merlin lands a nice shot to the body.
Merlin misses with a hook. Viki ducked under it nicely.
Merlin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Vikis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Good shot there by Merlin.

Merlin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Viki to the ground. Merlin is now in Viki's guard.
Merlin is stalling in the full guard.
Viki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Merlin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Miki Viki's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Viki throws a right hand that Merlin ducks under and follows up with a left that Merlin also avoids with ease.
Viki on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Merlin jabs at Viki's body.
Merlin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Merlin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Viki momentarily.
Viki staying out of range there.
Merlin fails with a takedown attempt.
It seemed like Viki was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Viki stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Viki wants it to stay on the feet.
Viki lands a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Xavier Merlin is winning the standup battle so far.
Merlin swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Merlin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Viki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Merlin fails with a takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Viki's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Merlin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merlin moves out of range of the body kick.
A head kick misses from Viki.
Merlin half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Viki throws a lazy right hand but Merlin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Viki throws a hook to the side of Merlin's head but Merlin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Merlin drops down looking for a counter takedown but Viki sprawls and moves away.
Viki throws a head kick but Merlin moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin avoids the head kick by Viki.
Merlin tries to counter with a takedown but Viki is quick to defend against it.
Merlin throws a right hand that misses
and Viki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Viki throws a combination that misses

and Merlin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Viki won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Merlin throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Merlin misses with the ground and pound.
Merlin fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Merlin slows the pace down.
Merlin scoring with punches and elbows.
Merlin trying to control the action but Viki is working from the bottom.

Merlin tries for a kimura but Viki is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viki is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Viki managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Merlin.
Merlin tries to score with some ground and pound. Viki controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Viki wants to get back to his feet.
Merlin throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Viki is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Merlin trying to control the position but Viki is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Viki pushes Merlin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Merlin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Merlin throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Merlin working the ground and pound but Viki is defending the strikes.

Merlin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Viki has escaped the position, nice work there.
Viki is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Viki managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Merlin.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The strikes coming from Merlin are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Miki Viki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xavier Merlin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Viki misses with an elbow from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Xavier Merlin.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Merlin, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Merlin!
A victorious Xavier Merlin thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.