PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Merel (ranked 519 p4p, 663 weight class) and Adrian Sterling (ranked 42 p4p, 58 weight class). Sterling comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Snake by Lil Keed kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Anthony Merel could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Adrian Sterling's chin.

Merel
vs
Sterling

171 cm
34
152
24 - 17 - 0

177 cm
25
150
8 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸
Urban Fighter

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Merel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Adrian Sterling!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sterling shoots in and drives through. Merel sprawls well.
A little feinted left hand from Merel on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Merel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sterling.

Sterling closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Merel's guard.
Sterling trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merel keeping moving, preventing Sterling from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merel keeping full guard, as Sterling tries to pass.
Merel wants to sweep but no luck.
Sterling is stalling in the full guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Merel wants to sweep here but Sterling controlling him for the moment.
Merel can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sterling controls the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Merel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Merel fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sterling looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sterling looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Merel connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Anthony Merel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Merel misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sterling shoots in for a double leg but Merel sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Anthony Merel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adrian Sterling.
Merel blocks a low kick nicely.
Merel swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sterling.
Merel tries to bench press Sterling off him but Sterling keeps the position.
Merel regains half guard there - taking advantage of Sterling's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sterling works his way into full mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sterling trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Merel can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sterling moves to the back position.
Merel is in bad spot here.
Sterling is looking to control Merel but Merel is wriggling around and keeping busy.
You can see the frustration on Merel's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sterling biding his time, controlling Merel.
Sterling tries to keep control of the position but Merel is staying busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Merel right now.
Sterling really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Merel.
Sterling's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Sterling keeps control of the position as Merel tries to break free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sterling trying to control.
Merel turns into Sterling and is now in his guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Adrian Sterling dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Merel, as that shot connected.
Merel throws a looping overhand right but Sterling ducks down to avoid it.
Sterling gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sterling misses with a takedown
and Merel counters with a nice uppercut.
Merel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sterling feints the counter takedown.
Sterling shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Merel as he jumps to the side.
Merel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Merel throws a poor cross that misses

and Sterling counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sterling stopping the sweep attempt from Merel.
Merel can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sterling controls the pace.
Sterling wants to control from the top but Merel keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sterling might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Merel haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Merel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sterling can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sterling wants to control from the top but Merel keeps moving.

Merel has his foot on Sterling's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sterling works his way back into a safe position though.
Sterling pushes down on Merel's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sterling takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sterling wants to control but Merel is keeping him busy.

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.
Sterling is taking a breather. Merel says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sterling is looking to advance position but Merel won't allow it.
Merel wants to get back to full guard.
Sterling slows the pace down in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Merel misses with a looping left.

Merel gets caught flat footed, as Sterling shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Merel is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sterling wants to control but Merel is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Merel is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sterling is just riding it out for now. Merel eventually gives up the hold.
Sterling is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merel is taking a breather. Sterling says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Merel is trying to control the action in half guard but Sterling is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Merel seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sterling wants to improve his position but Merel is controlling well.

Sterling looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Merel working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Merel landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sterling regains full guard. Nicely done.
Merel stands up over Sterling, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Adrian Sterling has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sterling has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Merel can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Sterling has an active guard here but Merel has managed to pass into half guard.

Merel is working for a submission of some sort.

Merel seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sterling is trying to maintain the position but Merel is very close to passing his half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Merel dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Merel throws a jab when Sterling was well out of range.
Sterling uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merel.
It seemed like Sterling was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Sterling shoots in and gets a takedown into Merel's guard.
Merel wants to sweep here but Sterling controlling him for the moment.
Sterling trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merel is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sterling controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merel keeping moving, preventing Sterling from controlling successfully.

Merel working for a triangle but Sterling defends it easily.
Merel tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sterling is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sterling looking to pass the guard.
Sterling is pushing down on Merel's leg trying to pass to half guard. Merel is fighting to maintain full guard but Sterling has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sterling controlling the action here.

Sterling seems to be looking for submissions.
Sterling looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Merel wants to get back to full guard.
Sterling keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sterling seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Merel does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Merel throws a hook to the side of Sterling's head but Sterling sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sterling shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Merel defends it nicely.
Merel cracks Sterling with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Merel is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Merel's corner calls for a 1-2. Merel obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sterling moves out of range as Merel strikes.
Sterling is trying hard to land a takedown here. Merel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sterling with a poor takedown
and Merel counters with a left to the body.
Anthony Merel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adrian Sterling.
Merel throws out a powerful jab.
Merel swings for the body but Sterling moves out of range.
Sterling shoots in for a takedown but Merel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sterling fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Merel wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Anthony Merel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sterling looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Anthony Merel is winning the standup battle so far.
Merel lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A telegraphed right hand from Merel misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sterling with a lazy takedown attempt
and Merel counters with a straight right hand.

Sterling is rocked!
Merel swings for the body but Sterling moves out of range.
Sterling is still on wobbly legs! Can Merel finish him?
Merel jabs at Sterling's body.
Sterling seems to have recovered his senses.
Merel avoids a kick to the body.
It looked like Merel was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sterling.
Sterling shoots in looking for a takedown but Merel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sterling's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Merel throwing a counter right hand but Sterling manages to avoid it.
Sterling takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sterling gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Merel counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Merel.
Sterling dives in for a single leg takedown but Merel sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Merel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Merel cracks Sterling with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sterling ducks under a wild hook from Merel.
A slow jab from Merel misses its intended target.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Merel showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Merel has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Merel!
A very excited looking Anthony Merel made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.