PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jason Merudez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scott Highlander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Jason Merudez has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Jason Merudez seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Merudez
vs
Highlander

200 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

179 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

GummIberry Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jason Merudez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Scott Highlander!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Highlander is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Highlander looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Merudez is fending him off so far but Highlander persists. Nope, Merudez circles away and we're back to standing.
Merudez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Scott Highlander seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Highlander.
Merudez is breathing heavily.

Highlander working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Highlander decides to stand back up. Highlander steps back and let's Merudez get back to his feet.

Highlander scores a takedown into full mount!

Highlander swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Merudez is now in Highlander's guard. A big mistake from Highlander there, giving up the dominant position!
Highlander keeping moving, preventing Merudez from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Highlander has his foot on Merudez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Merudez works his way back into a safe position though.

Merudez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Highlander really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Merudez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Highlander looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Highlander throws his legs up looking for a submission but Merudez uses it to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merudez advances to full mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Highlander tries to reverse the position but Merudez maintains control.

Merudez has control of Highlander's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Highlander regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Merudez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Merudez has control of Highlander's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Highlander regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highlander is wriggling around trying to escape.
Merudez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four 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.

Merudez is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Highlander can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Highlander slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Highlander is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Merudez jumps into side control!
Highlander is trying to improve his position.
Highlander is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Merudez off and has taken his back!

Merudez fending off the submission attempt from Highlander.

Highlander is looking for the choke from the back position but Merudez is controlling his hands well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Highlander dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Highlander gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nice elbow from Highlander.
Highlander using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Merudez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Highlander gets control of Merudez's arms and successfully pulls guard. Highlander will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Highlander looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Merudez stands and throws Highlander's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Highlander is looking for a sweep.
Highlander looking for a sweep but Merudez has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Highlander bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Highlander drops back, looking for a kneebar! Merudez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Merudez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Merudez!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highlander tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Merudez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Highlander is trying to get back to his feet.
Highlander tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Merudez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Highlander is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Merudez has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Highlander is looking for a sweep.
Merudez is looking to take a break and control but Highlander is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Highlander is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two 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.

Merudez seems to be working for a kimura but Highlander defends the submission attempt.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Highlander wants to clinch.
Highlander is looking to clinch.

Highlander shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Highlander drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Merudez dives on top into guard.

Highlander is looking for a triangle but Merudez pushes his legs off easily.

Highlander working for submissions but it's allowed Merudez to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merudez trying to control from half guard but Highlander is working away.

Highlander actively working from the bottom here.

Merudez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Merudez is looking to take a break and control but Highlander is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Highlander kicks Merudez off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nice takedown defense from Highlander. No joy for Merudez on that attempt.

Highlander scores a takedown into full mount!
Merudez manages to control the position for a moment.
Merudez wants to control but Highlander is having none of it.

Highlander is going olschool here, as he tries to force Merudez to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Merudez shrugs it off.

Highlander is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Merudez has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Merudez!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Highlander 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. This is the final round!

Merudez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

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

Highlander working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Merudez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Merudez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Highlander tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Highlander throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Highlander keeping full guard, as Merudez tries to pass.
Highlander 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.

Highlander throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Highlander looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Highlander is looking for a triangle but Merudez pushes his legs off easily.

Highlander is looking to sinch up a triangle. Merudez throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Highlander's body to avoid the submission. Highlander has instead reached around Merudez's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Highlander arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Scott Highlander!