PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ilander Runner (ranked 2764 p4p, 3064 weight class) and Dante Merali (ranked 314 p4p, 348 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Runner
vs
Merali

185 cm
20
185
3 - 9 - 0

188 cm
20
193
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Silverguard Outfitters ðŸ›¡
Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥

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 3 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ilander Runner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dante Merali!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Runner tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Merali counters with a nice uppercut.
Merali lands a nice shot that snaps Runner's head back.
Runner misses with a few strikes there.
Merali dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Runner. That did some damage!
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Merali has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Merali shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Runner as he jumps to the side.
Merali lands a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runner throws a lazy right hand but Merali sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Merali scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A jab from Runner misses.
Merali throws out a counter right but Runner avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runner misses with a hook. Merali ducked under it nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Merali there.
Runner chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Merali doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Runner counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Runner gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Merali to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Runner wants to stand and escape but Merali is having none of it.
Merali is in close to Runner's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Runner is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Merali presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Merali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
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!
Runner throws a low kick, looking for Merali's leg but Merali calmly moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Merali was well out of range. Poor timing from Runner.
Merali keeps the fight on the outside.
Merali misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ilander Runner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Merali.
Merali scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Merali misses with a hook. Runner ducked under it nicely.
Dante Merali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Merali shoots in for a takedown but Runner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A little feinted left hand from Runner on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Runner throws a right hand that misses
and Merali counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Runner definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Merali walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Good leg kick by Merali.
Runner throws a right hand that Merali ducks under and follows up with a left that Merali also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merali connects with a looping right hand.
Merali gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Merali takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Merali lunges at Runner with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Runner's hand.
Sloppy strikes from Runner. Those never looked like landing.
Runner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Merali.
Runner thows a leg kick but Merali checks it
and Merali counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Merali cracks Runner with a good jab.
Runner changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Merali is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Runner had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Merali with a jab.
Runner fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runner is looking to clinch.
Merali looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Merali connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Merali slips under a jab from Runner.
Merali misses with an uppercut
and Runner counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Merali thinking.

Merali shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Merali showed some decent athleticism there.
Merali has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Merali slips a nice elbow through Runner's hands, connecting with Runner's forehead.
Merali takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Merali looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Runner with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Runner has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Merali is on him like a limpet, forcing Runner back against the cage.
Runner throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Merali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dante Merali will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Merali scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Merali scoring well with a low kick there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Runner.
Runner lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Runner throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Runner will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Merali misses with an uppercut. Runner saw that one coming.
Merali throws a lazy right hand but Runner sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Merali just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromRunner.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runner throws a leg kick
and Merali counters with a stiff right hand.
Ilander Runner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Runner scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Runner slips under a jab.
Runner seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Merali is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Runner.
It looked like Runner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merali tests Runner's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Merali uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Merali with a nice calf kick.
Runner blocks a jab.
Merali lands a leg kick that knocks Runner off balance momentarily.
Runner tries to move into range but Merali moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Merali misses with a low kick.
It looked like Runner was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Merali throws out a leg kick but Runner moves out of range and Merali only half commits.
Runner listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Merali gets a takedown into half guard.
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!
Runner looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merali working over Runner with some ground and pound. Runner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Runner is trying to stand.
Merali working Runner over with strikes.

Merali is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Runner has managed to free his arm - good work.
Runner tries to kick Merali off but Merali keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Merali working over Runner with some ground and pound. Runner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Runner knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Merali on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merali is nestled in close to Runner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Runner looks like he's trying to stand up.
Merali working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Merali is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Runner wants to get back to his feet.
Merali lands with a punch from half guard.
Merali landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Merali seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nice strikes from Merali there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Merali lands a nice short elbow.
Runner pushes Merali off looking to stand but Merali dives back in and keeps control.
Dante Merali has got the better of the ground game so far.
Merali is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Merali scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Runner tries to kick Merali off but Merali keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Merali working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Merali stops Runner from getting back to his feet.
Merali lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Merali is nestled in close to Runner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Merali showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Runner tries to clinch there but Merali circles away.
Runner avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Merali fails with a takedown attempt.
Runner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Merali manages to avoid it.
Merali lands a really nice looking cross but Runner seems unphased.
Merali cracks Runner with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Runner lands a slapping body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runner throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Runner shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Merali feints the counter takedown.
Runner checks a leg kick nicely.
Runner throwing a counter right hand but Merali manages to avoid it.
Merali lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merali lands with an uppercut that bounces Runner off the cage and back into range.
A jab from Runner misses.
Dante Merali seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Runner goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Dante Merali is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Merali has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Merali shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Runner manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Runner is looking to stand up but Merali isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merali with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Merali passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runner tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Merali with the ground and pound from mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Merali looking to control and managing it successfully.
Merali lands a nice shot to the head.
Merali looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Runner is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Merali landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merali takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Runner's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Merali tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Merali's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Merali putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Runner bucks Merali off and manages to get back to his feet!
Runner looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Merali lands with a hook. Runner tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The fighters circling - Merali throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Runner's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Merali connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Runner scrambles back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Merali is defended easily by Runner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runner tries to clinch there but Merali circles away.
Merali tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nice sprawl there from Runner as Merali shoots in.
Ilander Runner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Merali.
Runner tries to clinch up but Merali circles away and keeps his distance.
Runner looks to clinch

and Merali counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Runner!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Merali is staying tight to Runner's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Runner takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
A lull in the action here.
Ilander Runner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Runner throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante Merali comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Merali winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dante Merali!
In defeat, Ilander Runner stepped up to the mic, saying 'Keep it real!'.