PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sven Geisler (ranked 4247 p4p, 4332 weight class) and Devon Merchant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Geisler
vs
Merchant

204 cm
18
280
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
260
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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 New York, Sven Geisler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Devon Merchant!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Jonathan Paton and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merchant throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Merchant misses the jab.
Geisler scores with a jab to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Geisler.
Geisler fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Geisler lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Geisler misses with a few strikes there.
Geisler is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Geisler throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Merchant sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Geisler uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Merchant.
A telegraphed right hand from Merchant misses the target.
It looked like Geisler wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Geisler scores with a jab to the body.

Merchant instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Merchant.
A head punch on the inside from Merchant fails to land.
Geisler tries a body shot but Merchant blocks it.
Geisler blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Merchant is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Geisler can't fight it off and eventually Merchant manages to take the fight to the floor. Geisler looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Geisler wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Merchant manages to pass to side control.

Merchant not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Merchant has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Geisler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Merchant.
Merchant content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchant is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Merchant throwing shots but Geisler is blocking nicely.
Geisler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Merchant.
Merchant with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Geisler is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Merchant scores with a couple of nice shots.
Merchant not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Geisler knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Merchant on the ground.
Merchant thows a huge punch but Geisler dodges it nicely.
Merchant controlling the pace.
Geisler taking some punishment here, with Merchant in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Geisler is in trouble now - Merchant has advanced to mount!
Merchant cracks Geisler with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

It looks like Sven Geisler has been cut.
Merchant with shots to the head and body - Geisler looks very uncomfortable down there.

Geisler is rocked!

Sven Geisler's cut is getting worse.
Merchant connects with a bit shot that sees Geisler covering up! More strikes from Merchant and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Merchant is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Devon Merchant!
A less than humble Devon Merchant misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.