PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Kowalski (ranked 4415 p4p, 0 weight class) and Trinidad Mercado (ranked 2812 p4p, 0 weight class). Mercado comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Lets Lurk kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kowalski
vs
Mercado

190 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
216 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Shawn Kowalski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Trinidad Mercado!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Chris Edwards and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalski stuffs the takedown attempt from Mercado. Mercado gets slowly back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Mercado.
Kowalski checks the leg kick nicely there.
Mercado fails with a takedown attempt.
Kowalski is looking to counter punch.
Mercado shoots in for a double leg but Kowalski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mercado looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Shawn Kowalski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trinidad Mercado.
Mercado throws a front kick aimed at Kowalski's knee but Kowalski avoids it well.

Mercado gets a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalski tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Mercado not doing much here.
Kowalski tries to kick Mercado off but Mercado keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kowalski throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Mercado wants to take a breather but Kowalski is having none of it.
Kowalski knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mercado on the ground.
Kowalski is looking for a sweep. Mercado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Well, if Mercado is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kowalski punching from the bottom.
Mercado wants to free his trapped foot but Kowalski is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mercado is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kowalski is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mercado looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kowalski missing with punches from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mercado tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kowalski knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kowalski punching from the bottom.
Kowalski punching from the bottom.
Mercado prevents Kowalski from improving his position.

Mercado is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Still in half guard, Mercado seems content to control.
Mercado passes the guard and advances to mount!
Mercado trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mercado controlling from mount.
Mercado tries to control but Kowalski wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski throwing hammer fists to the chest of Mercado. What's that going to do exactly?

Kowalski throws a strike from the bottom but Mercado holds onto the arm and goes for an armbar! He's got it! Fantastic submission from Mercado!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Trinidad Mercado!
In his post fight interview, Trinidad Mercado started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
In defeat, Shawn Kowalski stepped up to the mic, saying 'The main thing for me is to come away with something that will help me going forward....which i think we have done.'.