PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 3724 p4p, 1916 weight class) and Billy Quinn (ranked 419 p4p, 240 weight class). Quinn has chosen Bad MF as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Merlin
vs
Quinn

170 cm
30
162
16 - 21 - 0

171 cm
26
170
11 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 16 - 21 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xavier Merlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Billy Quinn!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Radbod Blank and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Quinn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Quinn bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Merlin's head backwards.
Quinn misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Quinn throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Quinn throws a right and a left that Merlin avoids nicely.
It looked like Merlin was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Quinn is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Merlin throws a head kick that misses.
Quinn looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Quinn misses with a hook.
Merlin seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Quinn feints a jab promting Merlin to slip. Quinn then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Merlin slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Quinn tries to sprawl but Merlin drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Quinn kicks Merlin off and gets back to his feet.
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!
Merlin tries for a takedown but Quinn circles away easily
and Quinn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Merlin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Merlin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Merlin lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Quinn is pulling down on Merlin's head to control his posture.
Merlin preventing the sweep.
Quinn looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Merlin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Merlin throwing strikes but missing.
Merlin stopping the sweep attempt from Quinn.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Quinn keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Quinn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Quinn is retaining full guard.
Quinn wants to stand up but Merlin is controlling him.
Quinn trying to keep a closed guard but Merlin is proving a slippery customer.
Quinn 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.
Merlin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Quinn is trying to control the position but Merlin postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Merlin tries for a takedown but Quinn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Merlin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Quinn circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Merlin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Quinn displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Quinn misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Quinn walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Merlin checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Quinn throws a jab but it's blocked by Merlin.
Nice cross by Merlin.
Quinn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Merlin drops down looking for a counter takedown but Quinn sprawls and moves away.

Merlin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Quinn to the ground. Merlin is now in Quinn's guard.
Merlin is standing up over Quinn. Quinn looks to escape but Merlin dives into side control.

Merlin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Merlin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Quinn is trying to get back to half guard.

Merlin decides to stand up, so the ref orders Quinn to his feet.
Merlin shoots and misses
and Merlin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Quinn misses with a looping right.
Merlin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Quinn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Merlin.

Quinn tries to keep at a distance but Merlin has taken the fight into the clinch.
Quinn lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Quinn throws an elbow but it misses.
Merlin is looking to break free of the clinch but Quinn has double underhooks.
Merlin has Quinn pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Quinn manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Quinn is working for takedown but Merlin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Quinn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Merlin's elbow.

Merlin jumps guard and drags Quinn to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Merlin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Merlin controlling Quinn's posture.
Quinn stops Merlin from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Quinn dominated that round.
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.

Quinn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Quinn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Merlin was well out of range. Poor timing from Quinn.
Merlin appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Quinn throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Quinn throws an overhand right that lands on Merlin's shoulder, as Merlin tries to avoid the shot.
Merlin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Quinn misses with a straight left.
Merlin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Quinn's waist but Quinn gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Merlin off to one side.
Merlin shoots in and drives through. Quinn sprawls well.

Merlin throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Quinn was covering up waiting for the punch and Merlin finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Xavier Merlin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Merlin prevents Quinn from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Quinn keeps moving.
Quinn trying to control the position.
Merlin has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Quinn is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin pushing down on Quinn's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Merlin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Merlin wants to stand up but Quinn is controlling the position.
Merlin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Quinn is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Merlin trying to mount his opponent but Quinn defends it.
Quinn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Quinn is refusing to be controlled, as Merlin sits in half guard.

Quinn pushes Merlin off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to clinch there but Quinn circles away.
Billy Quinn seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Quinn scores with a hook.
Xavier Merlin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Merlin tries to clinch but Quinn moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Merlin is defended easily by Quinn.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Merlin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Quinn misses the shot to the body.
Quinn punishes Merlin's body with a nice straight punch.
Quinn will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Merlin darts in looking for a takedown but Quinn gets double underhooks and turns Merlin into the cage.
A punch combination from Quinn misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Quinn throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Quinn feints and then cracks Merlin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Merlin down.
Quinn throws a shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Quinn.
Quinn connects with a nice looking jab.

Merlin gets the takedown into side control.
Quinn is not content to let Merlin control the position.

Merlin has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Merlin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Quinn defends well and Merlin ends up having to push Quinn into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Quinn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Quinn scores with a shot to the body.
Billy Quinn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Merlin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merlin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Quinn is adopting a defensive guard.

Quinn manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Quinn pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Billy Quinn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice jab there from Quinn.
Quinn bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Merlin's head backwards.

Merlin closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Quinn to the mat! Quinn manages to get full guard.

Quinn wriggles free and stands up.
Merlin defending well as Quinn loads up on a big left hand.
Merlin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Quinn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Merlin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Quinn to the ground. Merlin is now in Quinn's guard.

Quinn pushes Merlin off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Merlin misses with a takedown attempt - Quinn sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Merlin blocks a head kick by Quinn.

Merlin shoots in and gets a takedown into Quinn's guard.

Quinn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Quinn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Quinn working a defensive guard here.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Quinn is retaining full guard.
Quinn is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Quinn keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin wants to stand but Quinn is controlling his posture from full guard.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Quinn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin throwing strikes from guard but Quinn blocks nicely.
Quinn trying to keep a closed guard but Merlin is proving a slippery customer.
Merlin won't allow Quinn to sweep him here.
Quinn trying to control the position here.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Quinn keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Merlin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Quinn is refusing to be controlled, as Merlin sits in half guard.
Quinn is trying to stand up here but Merlin is controlling him well.
Quinn keeping hold of Merlin's head, controlling as best he can.
Merlin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Quinn controlling the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A low kick from Quinn is predictable there
and Merlin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Merlin avoids the body shot from Quinn.
Quinn slaps away a takedown attempt from Merlin, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Quinn catches Merlin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sloppy strikes from Quinn. Those never looked like landing.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Quinn as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Merlin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Quinn swings for the body but Merlin moves out of range.
Quinn misses with a combination
and Merlin counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Merlin shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Quinn manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Quinn scrambles and gets back to his feet.
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!
Merlin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Quinn sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Merlin somewhat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Merlin misses the target.
Quinn jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Merlin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Billy Quinn is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Quinn looking for a sweep. Not yet Quinn, not yet.
Quinn bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Merlin's guard.

Quinn preventing the sweep.
Quinn must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Quinn stands up and waves to Merlin to follow him.
Merlin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Quinn sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Quinn feints a jab promting Merlin to slip. Quinn then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Merlin slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Quinn stuffs the takedown attempt from Merlin. Merlin gets slowly back to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Quinn scores with a four punch combination!

And that's the end of the fight!
Billy Quinn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Quinn has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy Quinn!
Billy Quinn very nearly forgot to thank Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.