PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robinson Crusoe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maximus Meridius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robinson Crusoe has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Crusoe
vs
Meridius

180 cm
34
215 lbs
19 - 1 - 0

178 cm
30
199 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Robinson Crusoe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maximus Meridius!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Meridius gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Meridius comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from Meridius.
Nice elbow from Meridius.

It looks like Robinson Crusoe has been cut.
Crusoe takes an elbow to the temple.
Meridius throws an elbow that misses.
Crusoe is looking to take this one to the mat.

Crusoe gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Crusoe is controlling the pace.
Meridius pushes Crusoe off looking to stand but Crusoe dives back in and keeps control.
Crusoe stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crusoe seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Meridius for as long as he can get away with.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Meridius can do anything to dispel that myth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Meridius wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Meridius clinches with his opponent.
Meridius lands a nice elbow.
Meridius prevents the takedown attempt.
Crusoe is trying to drag Meridius to the mat but Meridius just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robinson Crusoe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Meridius throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe avoids the elbow strike from Meridius, against the cage.
Crusoe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Meridius gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Crusoe looking for a takedown.

Crusoe works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Crusoe slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Crusoe continues to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Crusoe.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Meridius moves into range and clinches up with Crusoe.

Crusoe gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Crusoe controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe is thwarting Meridius's attempts to control the position.
Crusoe not doing much here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
More hug and hope from Crusoe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maximus Meridius dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Robinson Crusoe's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Meridius pushes Crusoe up against the cage in a clinch.
Meridius creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Crusoe has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Meridius avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Meridius lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Crusoe backwards.
Crusoe tries for a takedown. No joy.
Crusoe tries for a takedown but Meridius manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robinson Crusoe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crusoe goes for a takedown attempt but Meridius pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Meridius has Crusoe up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crusoe is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Meridius pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Crusoe tries for a takedown but Meridius manages to get underhooks.
Meridius tries to land knees in the clinch but Crusoe avoids the damage to the body.
Good body shot from Meridius.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meridius gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Meridius stops a takedown attempt from Crusoe.
Meridius lands a damaging elbow.
Meridius creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Meridius tries to land knees in the clinch but Crusoe avoids the damage to the body.
Meridius creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Crusoe's defenses.
A nice left hand lands by Meridius.
Maximus Meridius seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Crusoe has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Meridius avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Crusoe takes an elbow to the forehead.
Meridius throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Meridius lands an elbow that stopped Crusoe in his tracks for a moment.
Meridius is trying to stall.
Crusoe blocks an elbow strike.
Meridius gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Crusoe takes an elbow to the forehead.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Crusoe wants a takedown.
A shot in the inside from Meridius.
Crusoe drops down looking for an ankle pick but Meridius pulls his leg out and moves away.

Meridius gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe goes for a takedown attempt but Meridius pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Meridius misses with a body shot.

Meridius has Crusoe up against the cage in a clinch.
Meridius scores with a shot to the side of Crusoe's head.
Meridius lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Crusoe backwards.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Meridius.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Meridius. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
With the fighters up against the cage, Meridius throws an elbow but misses.
Meridius lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Crusoe is looking for a takedown.
Crusoe wants a takedown.
Meridius taking a breather.
Crusoe is looking to take this one to the mat.
Meridius lands an elbow inside.
Meridius lands a nice uppercut.
Crusoe drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Meridius gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe is looking to take this one to the mat.
Meridius lands a nice elbow.
Meridius gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Meridius throws an elbow that misses.
Meridius prevents a takedown attempt there.
Crusoe tries to score a body lock takedown but Meridius shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Meridius working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Crusoe goes for a takedown in the clinch but Meridius prevents it.
Meridius lands a damaging elbow.
Nice body punch from Meridius.
Crusoe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Meridius gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Meridius leaning against his opponent.
Meridius is pressed up against the cage. Crusoe has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Meridius down to the mat. Meridius avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Meridius takes the fight into the clinch.
Meridius effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meridius gets through Crusoe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Crusoe takes an elbow to the temple.
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!
Meridius comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Meridius is pressed up against the cage. Crusoe has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Meridius down to the mat. Meridius avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Meridius darts in and clinches Crusoe up against the cage.
Meridius comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Meridius gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Meridius lands an elbow just above Crusoe 's eye.
Meridius scores with a hook to the body.
Meridius lands a damaging elbow.
Meridius is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stalling in the clinch from Meridius.
Meridius stops a takedown attempt from Crusoe.
Meridius comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Meridius.
Meridius gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Robinson Crusoe's cut is getting worse.
Meridius lands an elbow inside that Crusoe shrugs off.
Meridius creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Crusoe's defenses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maximus Meridius showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Robinson Crusoe's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Meridius closes the distance and pushes Crusoe back into the cage.
Crusoe takes an elbow to the forehead.
Meridius lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Meridius is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Crusoe is keeping busy.
Crusoe takes an elbow to the temple.
Meridius scores with a nice hook to the head.
Meridius stops a takedown attempt from Crusoe.
Meridius scores with a shoulder strike.
Meridius lands an elbow inside that Crusoe shrugs off.
Crusoe avoids the elbow strike from Meridius, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Meridius just misses with a elbow thrown towards Crusoe's brow.
Meridius is pressed up against the cage. Crusoe has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Meridius down to the mat. Meridius avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Maximus Meridius is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Meridius moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Crusoe is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robinson Crusoe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crusoe takes an elbow to the temple.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Meridius avoiding damage.
Crusoe goes for a takedown attempt but Meridius pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Meridius fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Crusoe, pushing him back against the cage.
Meridius lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Crusoe has Meridius pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Meridius manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Meridius is pressed up against the cage. Crusoe has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Meridius down to the mat. Meridius avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Meridius has managed to clinch.
Meridius lands a nice elbow.
Meridius lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Meridius lands an elbow inside.
Meridius lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Meridius creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Crusoe's defenses.
Meridius lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Meridius.

Robinson Crusoe's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Meridius lands an elbow just above Crusoe 's eye.
Meridius lands an elbow inside.
Crusoe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Meridius gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crusoe blocks an elbow strike from Meridius.
Meridius lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Crusoe.
Meridius displaying some good clinch control by pressing Crusoe up against the cage.
Meridius makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Meridius scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Meridius gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Meridius wants to stall.
Meridius lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Meridius lands a damaging elbow.
Meridius throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Meridius just misses with a elbow thrown towards Crusoe's brow.
Meridius pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Meridius lands a shoulder strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Meridius just misses with a elbow thrown towards Crusoe's brow.
A bit of stalling here from Meridius.
Meridius creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Crusoe's defenses.
Crusoe tries for a takedown but Meridius manages to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meridius lands an elbow just above Crusoe 's eye.
Crusoe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Meridius gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Meridius lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Meridius.
Meridius gets through Crusoe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Crusoe is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Meridius.
Meridius lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Crusoe is rocked!
Meridius lands an elbow that stopped Crusoe in his tracks for a moment.
Oh Crusoe is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Meridius lands an elbow inside that Crusoe shrugs off.
Meridius slows down the pace here.
Meridius lands an elbow just above Crusoe 's eye.

Jeez, Robinson Crusoe's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Crusoe wants to take the fight to the mat but Meridius manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Crusoe takes an elbow to the forehead.
Meridius lands a damaging elbow.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Meridius.
Meridius has Crusoe pressed against the cage. He pushes Crusoe back and as he springs towards him off the cage, Meridius throws a beautiful elbow that sends Crusoe crashing to the floor! Meridius piles on the pressure with more strikes! Crusoe is flailing away but he's not defending himself and the referee steps in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Maximus Meridius!
Maximus Meridius is the new light heavyweight champion!