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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Henry Holliday (ranked 1921 p4p, 1785 weight class) and Devon Merchant (ranked 237 p4p, 214 weight class). Merchant is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: HonestKey- Pass. Devon Merchant acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.
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| 205 cm
31
247
14 - 7 - 0 |
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190 cm
26
260
9 - 9 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank |
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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 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, John Henry Holliday!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Devon Merchant!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Robert Douchet and Steve Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merchant's jab looks to have found its range, popping Holliday under the eye.
Holliday has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Jed's Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Holliday uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Merchant.
Merchant ducks under a wild hook from Holliday.
Merchant misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holliday.
Merchant missing with a left hand there. Holliday was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Merchant throws a poor cross that misses
and Holliday connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
It looks like Devon Merchant has been cut.
Merchant swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Holliday was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Merchant is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Holliday's half guard.
Merchant looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Holliday tries to roll over but Merchant keeps him under control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merchant throwing shots but Holliday is blocking nicely.
Merchant not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merchant trying to mount his opponent but Holliday defends it.
Merchant lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Merchant slows the pace down in half guard.
Holliday blocking the ground and pound attempt from Merchant.
Holliday wants to control but Merchant is keeping busy and won't allow it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Merchant landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Holliday blocking the ground and pound attempt from Merchant.
Merchant slows the pace down in half guard.
Holliday is staying active underneath Merchant, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Holliday is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Merchant scores with a couple of nice shots.
Merchant not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Merchant is keen to just control but Holliday is a slippery customer.
Merchant is controlling the pace.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchant wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holliday keeps working.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Merchant missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Holliday blocking the ground and pound attempt from Merchant.
Merchant is trying to control. Holliday wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Holliday fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Merchant manages to avoid it.
Holliday throws a nice head kick!
Holliday uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merchant.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merchant throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Holliday tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Merchant is in Holliday's guard.
Merchant throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Holliday works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Merchant passes Holliday's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Merchant is keen to just control but Holliday is a slippery customer.
Merchant winds up and cracks Holliday with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Merchant is trying to control. Holliday wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Merchant is thwarting Holliday's attempts to control the position.
Merchant working Holliday over with strikes.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Holliday won't allow Merchant to pass to mount.
Merchant winds up and cracks Holliday with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Merchant is pressing down on Holliday's thigh, looking to free his foot. Holliday is holding on for now.
Merchant scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Merchant looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Merchant trying to control the action but Holliday is working from the bottom.
Merchant 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.
Merchant throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Holliday on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merchant missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Holliday tries to roll over but Merchant keeps him under control.
Merchant lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Merchant trying to pass the guard but Holliday defending well.
Merchant thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Merchant wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holliday keeps working.
Holliday trying to control here.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merchant lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Merchant looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Merchant not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Merchant looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Holliday wants to get back to full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Merchant has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Holliday trying to control here.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
That's eight 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.
Merchant clobbers Holliday with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Holliday pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Merchant cracks Holliday with a good jab.
Holliday looks to land a right hand but Merchant moved out of range.
Holliday on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Holliday throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Merchant ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Merchant.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merchant looks to score with a jab to the body but Holliday is just out of range.
Merchant jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Merchant thows a left - swing and a miss!
Holliday looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Merchant throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Holliday stuffs the takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Merchant misses the shot to the body.
Merchant loads up on a big right hand but Holliday slips the punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Devon Merchant dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Devon Merchant's cut.
That's time! Holliday's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Merchant throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It appears Holliday was looking to counter with a kick there.
Merchant moves out of range as Holliday strikes.
Holliday moves out of range of the strikes.
Merchant has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Merchant is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Holliday.
Merchant connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Holliday displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Merchant throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merchant throws a body punch but Holliday moves out of range.
Merchant dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Holliday fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Merchant manages to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Holliday throws a looping overhand right but Merchant ducks down to avoid it.
Merchant tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Holliday slips a straight right by Merchant.
Devon Merchant seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Merchant throws a hook but Holliday avoids it easily.
Merchant throws a big shot that misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Holliday misses its target.
Holliday slips under a jab from Merchant.
Merchant misses with a wild body shot.
Merchant throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Holliday feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Merchant. Holliday does a little dance to reset his feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holliday throws a big shot that misses.
Merchant changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Merchant looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Holliday seems keen to control Merchant's posture.
Merchant slips nicely into half guard.
Merchant is trying to control the action in half guard but Holliday is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Merchant missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Merchant seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchant is trying a forearm choke� I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Merchant is controlling the pace.
Merchant wants to control but Holliday is keeping him busy.
Holliday keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Merchant trying to control from half guard but Holliday is working away.
That's four 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.
Merchant working over Holliday with some ground and pound. Holliday looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Merchant scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Merchant moves into full mount! Holliday won't be happy about that!
Merchant wants to finish this one by submission but Holliday is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Merchant.
Merchant looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Merchant with the ground and pound from mount.
Merchant is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Holliday to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Holliday shrugs it off.
Holliday is squirming around, avoiding Merchant's attempts to control the action.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merchant tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Merchant raining down shots from the mount!
Devon Merchant has got the better of the ground game so far.
Merchant swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Holliday is now in Merchant's guard. A big mistake from Merchant there, giving up the dominant position!
Merchant pulls Holliday in close to prevent any damage.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merchant has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Holliday can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Merchant looking for a sweep. Not yet Merchant, not yet.
Merchant bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Holliday's guard.
Holliday working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Merchant.
Merchant trying to control but Holliday is working from the bottom.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merchant controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Merchant accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Merchant cracks Holliday with a solid left hand.
Merchant cracks Holliday with a solid left hand.
Merchant is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Holliday keeping moving, preventing Merchant from controlling successfully.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Merchant trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merchant is stalling in the full guard.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Merchant works Holliday's body with a nice hook.
Merchant swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Holliday.
Holliday throws a hook but Merchant avoids it easily.
And Merchant tries to counter it with a takedown but Holliday pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Merchant throws a jab but it's blocked by Holliday.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merchant tries for a takedown but Holliday sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck for Merchant with that takedown attempt.
Merchant misses with an uppercut
and Holliday counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Merchant misses with a looping right.
Holliday avoids the body shot from Merchant.
Holliday swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merchant misses the shot to the body.
Holliday throws a series of punches but Merchant moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Devon Merchant showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Devon Merchant's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Merchant throws the left hand but Holliday avoids the punch easily.
A little feinted left hand from Holliday on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Holliday takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Merchant ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Holliday moves away.
Merchant connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Merchant fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holliday manages to avoid it.
Holliday connects with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holliday stuns Merchant with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Holliday looks to throw the jab but Merchant is out of range.
And Merchant tries to counter it with a takedown but Holliday pushes his down on his head and steps out.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Holliday lands with a shot to the body.
A shot to the liver by Merchant. Beautiful body shot.
Holliday gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Merchant to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Merchant throws a strike but Holliday rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holliday seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Holliday preventing the sweep.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchant is pulling down on Holliday's head. It's preventing any offense from Holliday, at least for the moment.
Holliday trying to control the position from guard on top but Merchant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merchant is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Merchant is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Holliday defends well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchant looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Holliday postures up.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Holliday throws a low kick but Merchant moves out of range easily.
Nice sprawl there from Holliday as Merchant shoots in.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Holliday throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Merchant tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Merchant throws a lazy right hand but Holliday sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Merchant just misses with a punch to the body.
Holliday looks to land a right hand but Merchant moved out of range.
Merchant fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Merchant shoots for a takedown but Holliday saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
John Henry Holliday has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Devon Merchant.
Nice sprawl there from Holliday as Merchant shoots in.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Holliday throws a body punch but Merchant moves out of range.
Merchant dives in for a single leg takedown but Holliday sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A counter left hand to the body from Holliday misses its target.
Merchant misses with a hook to the body
and Holliday counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Holliday avoids the body shot from Merchant.
It looked like Holliday wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Merchant throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Holliday sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Holliday jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Holliday takes a swing at Merchant's ribcage but misses.
A big left from Holliday misses.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merchant shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holliday as he avoids it easily.
Devon Merchant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Merchant avoids the head kick by Holliday.
Merchant scores with a takedown into Holliday's guard.
Merchant trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Merchant controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Holliday keeping moving, preventing Merchant from controlling successfully.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merchant postures up in Holliday's guard and throws a big left but Holliday blocks it.
Merchant throws a big right hand that misses.
Merchant trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Holliday manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Merchant trying to keep a closed guard but Holliday is proving a slippery customer.
Holliday avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Merchant is trying to keep Holliday in close.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Merchant wants to improve his position but instead Holliday has moved into half guard.
Merchant is holding on to half guard well.
Holliday will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Holliday prevents Merchant from improving his position.
Holliday trying to pass the guard but Merchant defending well.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merchant wants to control but Holliday is keeping busy.
Merchant tries to roll over but Holliday keeps him under control.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
John Henry Holliday has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holliday lunges at Merchant with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Merchant's hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holliday throws a looping overhand right but Merchant ducks down to avoid it.
Merchant ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
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 John Henry Holliday.
Well Merchant 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Devon Merchant!
Devon Merchant thanked the fans post fight for their support.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
28% |
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