PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gerald Meershaert Jr (ranked 2754 p4p, 3194 weight class) and Fabreze Verdum (ranked 340 p4p, 405 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Meershaert Jr
vs
Verdum

191 cm
25
195
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
194
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gerald Meershaert Jr!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Fabreze Verdum!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Chris Saunders and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Verdum shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Meershaert Jr pinned against the cage. Meershaert Jr gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Meershaert Jr feinted with a counter takedown.
Meershaert Jr wants to clinch up but Verdum keeps it at a distance.

Verdum scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Verdum is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Meershaert Jr wants to get back to full guard.

Verdum wants to work for an arm triangle but Meershaert Jr is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Meershaert Jr is looking for a sweep. Verdum is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Meershaert Jr is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Verdum pulls his head out easily.

Verdum is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Meershaert Jr looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Verdum seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Meershaert Jr looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Verdum is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Meershaert Jr is just riding it out for now. Verdum eventually gives up the hold.

Verdum is working for a submission of some sort.

Verdum wants to work for an arm triangle but Meershaert Jr is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Meershaert Jr is looking to control Verdum's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Meershaert Jr avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Verdum is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Meershaert Jr sees it coming and defends easily.
Meershaert Jr moves into full guard.

Meershaert Jr manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Meershaert Jr tries for a takedown. No joy.
Verdum is pressed up against the cage. Meershaert Jr has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Verdum down to the mat. Verdum avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Verdum will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Verdum looks winded!
Verdum shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Meershaert Jr but Meershaert Jr pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gerald Meershaert Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabreze Verdum.
Meershaert Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Verdum swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Verdum drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Meershaert Jr defends it well.

Meershaert Jr shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Meershaert Jr looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Meershaert Jr is working for a kimura but Verdum is defending it quite comfortably.
Meershaert Jr controlling the action here.
Verdum won't allow Meershaert Jr to pass to mount.

Meershaert Jr is working for a kimura but Verdum is defending it quite comfortably.
Meershaert Jr performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Verdum looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Meershaert Jr is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Verdum looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Meershaert Jr 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.

Meershaert Jr is looking to clinch.
Meershaert Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Meershaert Jr tries to clinch but Verdum moves out of range.
Verdum tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Meershaert Jr swivels and escapes.
Meershaert Jr seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Verdum shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Meershaert Jr misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Verdum closes the distance and clinches up with Meershaert Jr, looking for a takedown. Verdum pushes Meershaert Jr against the cage but Meershaert Jr circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gerald Meershaert Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabreze Verdum.
Meershaert Jr tries to clinch up but Verdum circles away and keeps his distance.
Meershaert Jr goes for a double leg but Verdum avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Verdum continues to drive forward.
Verdum fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fabreze Verdum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Verdum dives in and scores a takedown into Meershaert Jr's guard.
Verdum passes into half guard.
Verdum is breathing heavily.
Meershaert Jr pushes Verdum off looking to stand but Verdum dives back in and keeps control.

Verdum is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Meershaert Jr has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Meershaert Jr is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Verdum pulls his head out easily.
Meershaert Jr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Meershaert Jr.
Meershaert Jr manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Verdum manages to get himself to full guard.

Meershaert Jr is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Verdum keeping moving, preventing Meershaert Jr from controlling successfully.
Meershaert Jr controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Verdum is looking for a triangle here but Meershaert Jr uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Verdum is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Meershaert Jr is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Verdum working to try and regain half guard.
Meershaert Jr controlling his opponent.
Meershaert Jr thowing shots but they're missing.
Meershaert Jr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Verdum can do to turn this around?
Meershaert Jr trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Meershaert Jr jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Verdum manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verdum can't do much from the bottom here.
Verdum is trying to get back to half guard.
Meershaert Jr advances to full mount.
Meershaert Jr tries to control but Verdum wriggling away.
Meershaert Jr controlling the position easily from mount.
Verdum really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four 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.
Meershaert Jr looking to control but Verdum is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Verdum is working to get back to half guard.
Meershaert Jr wants to control the pace but Verdum is squirming around nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Meershaert Jr throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Verdum can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Meershaert Jr dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Verdum shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Meershaert Jr as he jumps to the side.
It looked like Meershaert Jr was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Verdum.
Verdum tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Meershaert Jr swivels and escapes.
Verdum keeps the fight on the outside.

Meershaert Jr shoots in and bounces Verdum off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Meershaert Jr content to stall in guard here.
Meershaert Jr sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Verdum's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Meershaert Jr seems to be looking for submissions.
Verdum wants to get back to full guard.
Verdum takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Meershaert Jr is trying to control the action in half guard but Verdum is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meershaert Jr wants to free his trapped foot but Verdum is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Meershaert Jr keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Meershaert Jr wants to lay and pray for a moment but Verdum keeps working.
Gerald Meershaert Jr overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Verdum wants to control but Meershaert Jr is keeping busy.
Verdum is refusing to be controlled, as Meershaert Jr sits in half guard.
Verdum tries to roll over but Meershaert Jr keeps him under control.
Meershaert Jr tries to pass the half guard into mount. Verdum knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Verdum trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meershaert Jr looking to finish with strikes here!
Verdum felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Meershaert Jr trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Meershaert Jr looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Verdum is in all sorts of trouble here.
Meershaert Jr controlling the pace for now.

Meershaert Jr moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Verdum has worked his arm free - good work by Verdum!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meershaert Jr has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Verdum wants to hold on but Meershaert Jr pushes him away.
Poor strikes thrown by Meershaert Jr there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Verdum tries to hold on but Meershaert Jr pushes him away.
Verdum is working to get back to half guard.

Meershaert Jr has hold of Verdum's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Verdum manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Verdum is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Meershaert Jr is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Verdum can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Verdum wants to hold on but Meershaert Jr pushes him away.

Meershaert Jr working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Verdum is squirming around, avoiding Meershaert Jr's attempts to control the action.
Meershaert Jr with a couple of short strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Meershaert Jr controlling the pace for now.
Meershaert Jr throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Meershaert Jr clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Meershaert Jr gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Verdum to score an easy takedown into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Meershaert Jr is on top in guard.

Meershaert Jr with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Verdum is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Meershaert Jr is aware though and is defending well.
Meershaert Jr's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Meershaert Jr postures up.

Verdum throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Meershaert Jr not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Meershaert Jr landing with the ground and pound.
Verdum is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Meershaert Jr drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Meershaert Jr jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Verdum is trying to control the position but Meershaert Jr postures up.
Verdum preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Meershaert Jr engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Meershaert Jr lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Verdum keeping full guard, as Meershaert Jr tries to pass.
Verdum looking for a sweep. Not yet Verdum, not yet.

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.
Meershaert Jr controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Meershaert Jr passes Verdum's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Verdum is looking to improve his position.
Meershaert Jr slows the pace down in half guard.
Verdum tries to get to full guard but Meershaert Jr has control of the leg.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Meershaert Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Verdum paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Verdum fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meershaert Jr wants to clinch up but Verdum keeps it at a distance.
Meershaert Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Meershaert Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Verdum fails with the takedown.
Meershaert Jr fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Verdum dives in for a single leg takedown but Meershaert Jr sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gerald Meershaert Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabreze Verdum.
Verdum fails to land the takedown.
Meershaert Jr is looking to clinch.
Meershaert Jr tries to score a power double leg takedown but Verdum sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Meershaert Jr somewhat.
Gerald Meershaert Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Meershaert Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meershaert Jr tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Verdum manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Meershaert Jr wants to clinch.

Meershaert Jr dives in and scores a takedown into Verdum's guard.
Meershaert Jr trying to control but Verdum is working from the bottom.
Meershaert Jr postures up.

Verdum looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Meershaert Jr has picked Verdum up and slammed him! Verdum can't keep hold of the triangle and Meershaert Jr manages to pass to side control!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Meershaert Jr just content to control the position.
Verdum tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Meershaert Jr presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Meershaert Jr had his way with Fabreze Verdum in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Verdum goes for a double leg but Meershaert Jr avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Meershaert Jr continues to drive forward.
Verdum goes for a double leg but Meershaert Jr avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Meershaert Jr continues to drive forward.
Meershaert Jr fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Meershaert Jr throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Meershaert Jr tries to clinch up but Verdum circles away and keeps his distance.
Verdum shoots for a takedown but Meershaert Jr saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gerald Meershaert Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabreze Verdum.
Meershaert Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Verdum misses with a takedown attempt - Meershaert Jr sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Meershaert Jr has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Verdum fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Meershaert Jr avoids it really well and circles away.
A little feinted left hand from Meershaert Jr on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Meershaert Jr tries to clinch up.
Verdum is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meershaert Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Verdum tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
No luck for Verdum with that takedown attempt.
Verdum stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Verdum wants it to stay on the feet.
Verdum looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Meershaert Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Verdum swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Verdum is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Meershaert Jr scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Meershaert Jr is working for a kimura but Verdum is defending it quite comfortably.
Meershaert Jr is keen to just control but Verdum is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Meershaert Jr is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Verdum sees it coming and defends easily.

Meershaert Jr is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Verdum sees it coming and defends easily.
Meershaert Jr is keen to just control but Verdum is a slippery customer.
Verdum is looking for a sweep. Meershaert Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Verdum is defending against the submission attempts here by Meershaert Jr.
Verdum is staying active underneath Meershaert Jr, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meershaert Jr works his foot free and advances to mount.
Verdum wants to hold on but Meershaert Jr pushes him away.
Meershaert Jr landing punches.
Verdum is looking to improve his position but Meershaert Jr isn't that keen on the idea.
Meershaert Jr controlling the position easily from mount.
Meershaert Jr throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verdum is wriggling around trying to escape.
Meershaert Jr content just to control the position here.
Meershaert Jr prevents Verdum from getting the reversal.
Meershaert Jr breaks from Verdum's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Meershaert Jr controlling from the full mount.
Meershaert Jr's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Verdum is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fabreze Verdum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gerald Meershaert Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Meershaert Jr controlling the position easily from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerald Meershaert Jr showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Meershaert Jr, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Josh West scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 50:45
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerald Meershaert Jr!
Gerald Meershaert Jr retains his middleweight title!