PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raul Gracie (ranked 1675 p4p, 201 weight class) and Xavier Merlin (ranked 1355 p4p, 160 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gracie
vs
Merlin

175 cm
25
165 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

170 cm
24
162 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Bee Krazy

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Raul Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Damien Edna and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie moves out of range as Merlin strikes.

Gracie moves into the clinch successfully.
Gracie working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Merlin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Merlin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Merlin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gracie lands a body shot in the clinch.

Gracie has hold of one of Merlin's legs. Merlin is fighting the takedown attempt but Gracie gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Merlin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Merlin looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
We've been hearing that Gracie has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Merlin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
Gracie trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Merlin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gracie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gracie postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gracie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gracie works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Merlin won't allow it.

Merlin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to get back to full guard but Gracie takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Gracie prevents Merlin from getting the reversal.
Merlin wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie with good strikes from the mount here!
Gracie prevents Merlin from getting the reversal.
Merlin wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Gracie working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Merlin is doing well to defend. Gracie seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Merlin is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Raul Gracie!
After winning the bout, Raul Gracie thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.