PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Merridew (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cortland Cartwright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cartwright is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by St. Anger. This should be a great matchup!

Merridew
vs
Cartwright

195 cm
27
215 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

173 cm
27
219 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jack Merridew!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Cortland Cartwright!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, David Hoff and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merridew throws a body punch but Cartwright moves out of range.
Merridew swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cartwright avoids the body shot from Merridew.
Merridew connects with a jab.
Merridew throws a body punch but Cartwright moves out of range.
Cartwright uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Merridew.
Merridew fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cartwright manages to avoid it.
Merridew lands with a shot to the body.
Merridew bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Cartwright on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Cartwright closes the distance and pushes Merridew back into the cage.
Merridew looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Merridew struggles to land a body shot inside as Cartwright controls his hands.

Merridew's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Merridew is looking to wear down Cartwright with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Merridew throws a looping overhand right but Cartwright ducks down to avoid it.
Cartwright walks into a straight right hand from Merridew.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merridew works Cartwright's body with a nice hook.
Jack Merridew seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cartwright wants to clinch.
Cartwright takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Merridew lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cartwright at a distance.
Merridew lands a nice looking body shot.
Merridew fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cartwright manages to avoid it.
Donk. Merridew catches Cartwright right on the button with a cross.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Cartwright has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Cartwright takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Merridew looks to score with a jab to the body but Cartwright is just out of range.
Merridew scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Merridew cracks a nice hook into Cartwright's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Merridew thows a body shot but no joy.
Cartwright takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cartwright tries to clinch but Merridew is having none of it.
Nice uppercut there from Merridew.
Jack Merridew is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cartwright takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Merridew connects with a crisp jab.
Merridew throws the left hand but Cartwright avoids the punch easily.
Cartwright tries to clinch up but Merridew circles away and keeps his distance.
Merridew scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Merridew throws the left hand but Cartwright avoids the punch easily.
Cartwright blocks a jab.
Cartwright needs to keep his hands up - Merridew had a free shot at his head there.
Merridew is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A jab from Merridew finds it's way through Cartwright's defenses.

Cartwright is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright shoots in looking for a takedown but Merridew manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cartwright's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cartwright takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cartwright is still on wobbly legs! Can Merridew finish him?

Merridew sends Cartwright crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Merridew is motioning to the referee to let Cartwright up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Cartwright forces Merridew back against the cage and clinches.
Cartwright prevents a body shot from Merridew.
Cartwright has Merridew pressed against the cage, preventing Merridew from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cartwright seems to have recovered his senses.
Cartwright goes for a takedown in the clinch but Merridew prevents it.
Cartwright fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jack Merridew has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cortland Cartwright.

Merridew's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Merridew paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Merridew feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Cartwright sprawling to the canvas! Cartwright rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Merridew finish him?!
Cartwright leaves his chin hanging out and Merridew seizes the opportunity with an uppercut! Cartwright crumbles to the floor in a heap, and the referee steps in and tends to the downed fighter! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Jack Merridew!
A very excited looking Jack Merridew rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
Cortland Cartwright spoke after the fight, saying 'My opponent was a worth adversary. I will get better and come again.'.