PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zhao Zhuo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocky Mercurius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zhuo's entrance music is Kung Fu You. A fine choice. Mercurius has chosen 2pac - Raise Up as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Zhuo
vs
Mercurius

184 cm
31
177 lbs
24 - 14 - 0

181 cm
36
180 lbs
28 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zhao Zhuo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rocky Mercurius!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhuo shoots for a double leg takedown but Mercurius sprawls well. He's pushed Zhuo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mercurius's coach down at team razors mma fight club was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Mercurius's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Mercurius fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zhuo shoots for a double leg takedown but Mercurius sprawls well. He's pushed Zhuo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mercurius circles away from the clinch attempt
and Mercurius counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Zhuo clinches up against the cage.

Zhuo jumps guard and drags Mercurius to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercurius loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mercurius is looking to stand up but Zhuo won't let him.
Zhuo striking off his back but it's not causing Mercurius any problems.
Mercurius slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Zhuo is pulling down on Mercurius's head. It's preventing any offense from Mercurius, at least for the moment.
Mercurius trying to control the position from guard on top but Zhuo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rocky Mercurius.
Mercurius swings for the body but Zhuo moves out of range.
Mercurius wants to slow Zhuo down by chopping away at his legs.
Zhuo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mercurius doesn't seem bothered though.
Mercurius tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zhuo shoots in for a takedown but Mercurius shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhao Zhuo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A leg kick checked by Zhuo.
Zhuo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mercurius swivels and escapes.
Mercurius keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zhuo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mercurius throws a leg kick but Zhuo moved away.
Mercurius just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius misses with a wild body shot.
Mercurius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhuo.
Zhuo throws a big shot that misses.
Zhuo dives in and grabs Mercurius's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mercurius pushes down on Zhuo's head and hops out.
Mercurius throws a shot to the body.
Zhuo misses with a straight left.

Zhuo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mercurius is trying to control the position but Zhuo postures up.
Zhuo distracts Mercurius with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zhuo throws a strike but Mercurius rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Mercurius engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius wants to pass the guard but Zhuo is keeping the position.
Mercurius works over Zhuo with some ground and pound from guard.
Zhuo throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Zhuo controls Mercurius momentarily but Mercurius frees himself.
Mercurius advances position into side control!
Zhuo tries to improve position but can't.
Zhuo is not content to let Mercurius control the position.
Zhuo on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Zhuo takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Mercurius tries to advance to mount but can't.
You can see the frustration on Zhuo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhuo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mercurius's best efforts.
Mercurius throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
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!
Zhuo wants to improve his position but Mercurius is controlling well.
Zhuo punching from the bottom.
Zhuo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mercurius postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mercurius pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zhuo is keeping the position for now.
Mercurius stands and throws Zhuo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mercurius in side control, just content to control the action for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhuo can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rocky Mercurius will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zhuo misses the jab.
Mercurius uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Zhuo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Mercurius lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Zhuo connects with a body shot.

Zhuo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mercurius takes a shot to the head.
Zhuo looking to slow down the pace here.
Mercurius prevents a body shot from Zhuo.
Zhuo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mercurius just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mercurius is looking to break free of the clinch but Zhuo has double underhooks.
Mercurius lands with a right to the head.

Mercurius breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mercurius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhuo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhuo misses with a body shot.
Mercurius uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zhuo.
Zhuo checks a low kick from Mercurius.
Zhuo shoots in looking for a takedown. Mercurius tries to sprawl out of it but Zhuo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mercurius manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zhuo shoots and misses
and Mercurius counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zhuo thinking.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhao Zhuo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zhuo shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mercurius throws a big shot that misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Mercurius misses the target.
Mercurius lands a nice shot that snaps Zhuo's head back.
Zhuo connects with a body shot that sends Mercurius's belly button to the back.
Mercurius throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut lands for Mercurius. That snapped Zhuo's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhuo slips a jab and a cross from Mercurius.
Mercurius slips under a jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mercurius.
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!
Mercurius with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rocky Mercurius is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Zhuo clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercurius.
Zhuo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mercuriuss head.
Zhuo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mercurius to keep the fight standing.
Zhuo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mercurius blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Zhuo pulls guard effortlessly.
Mercurius working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zhuo's head.
Zhuo looking to control.
Zhuo lands an upkick as Mercurius stands over him.
Zhuo keeping moving, preventing Mercurius from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius postures up.
Mercurius trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zhuo wants to sweep here but Mercurius controlling him for the moment.
Mercurius in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zhuo is trying to control the position but Mercurius postures up.
Zhuo wants to hit a switch here but Mercurius passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Zhuo there!
Mercurius can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zhuo is looking to escape.
Mercurius cracks Zhuo with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zhuo is looking to escape.
Mercurius dominating with strikes here.
Mercurius lands a big elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zhuo is trying desperately to improve position.
Zhuo in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Zhuo wants to control but Mercurius is having none of it.
Zhuo is squirming around, avoiding Mercurius's attempts to control the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Mercurius is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Zhuo has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Zhuo is looking to improve his position but Mercurius isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Mercurius showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zhuo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mercurius connects with a leg kick. Zhuo looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zhuo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mercurius.
Mercurius throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zhuo lands a jab to Mercurius's midsection.
Mercurius throws a leg kick which misses Zhuo's front leg but catches the back leg as Zhuo tries to avoid it.
Mercurius tests Zhuo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zhuo throws a jab when Mercurius was well out of range.
Mercurius lands a really nice looking cross but Zhuo seems unphased.
Zhuo lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercurius avoids the body shot from Zhuo.
Mercurius misses the shot to the body.
Mercurius throws a low kick, looking for Zhuo's leg but Zhuo calmly moves out of range.
Zhuo scores with a jab. Mercurius acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mercurius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhuo was well out of range. Poor timing from Mercurius.
A jab from Zhuo finds it's way through Mercurius's defenses.
Mercurius misses with a low kick.
Zhuo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zhuo throws a lazy uppercut
and Mercurius counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Zhuo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zhuo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mercurius counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zhao Zhuo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zhuo is out of range.
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!
Zhuo swings for the body but Mercurius moves out of range.
Zhuo fails with the takedown
and Mercurius counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rocky Mercurius seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mercurius lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Zhuo has managed to clinch.
A body shot lands from Mercurius.
Zhuo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Mercurius breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mercurius misses with an uppercut.
Zhuo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mercurius avoids it really well and circles away.
Mercurius throws a leg kick which misses Zhuo's front leg but catches the back leg as Zhuo tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius cracks Zhuo with an open hand slap.
Mercurius takes a jab right on the kisser.
Mercurius moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zhuo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mercurius paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rocky Mercurius is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mercurius keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zhuo.
Mercurius misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mercurius takes one to the chin there.
Zhuo lands a lovely overhand right.
Mercurius cracks Zhuo with an open hand slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhuo shoots in and drives through. Mercurius sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhao Zhuo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercurius keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zhuo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mercurius ducks under a wild hook from Zhuo.
Zhuo misses with a takedown attempt
and Mercurius counters with an inside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zhuo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Zhuo misses with a hook. Mercurius ducked under it nicely.
Zhuo throws a hook but Mercurius blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mercurius steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zhuo.
Zhuo on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Zhuo takes a head kick and keeps coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rocky Mercurius.
I've got Mercurius winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocky Mercurius!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Rocky Mercurius made sure he mentioned Kemists ↑ 5x160Q, along with how happy he was to win his fight.