PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dewayne Jennings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Merker Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jennings comes to the cage accompanied by Step Out (by Benny Page). The key to victory for Dewayne Jennings has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Jennings
vs
Merker Junior

183 cm
22
186 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

178 cm
24
177 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Superior Ki Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dewayne Jennings!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Merker Junior!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Jennings misses the target.
Jennings misses with a jab, cross combination.
Dewayne Jennings seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jennings tries to clinch there but Merker Junior circles away.
Jennings slaps away a takedown attempt from Merker Junior, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The fighters circling - Jennings throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jennings fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jennings misses with a wild body shot.

Jennings drives through and clinches with Merker Junior against the cage.
Jennings creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merker Junior takes an elbow to the forehead.
Merker Junior tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Merker Junior tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jennings just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dewayne Jennings has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Merker Junior.
Jennings using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Merker Junior has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jennings misses with a punch on the inside.
Jennings connects with a knee to the head.
Merker Junior jumps guard but Jennings stands there with Merker Junior around his waist. Merker Junior gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Jennings throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merker Junior tries to pull guard but Jennings won't allow it.
Jennings fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Merker Junior jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jennings walks away with a smile on his face. Merker Junior gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jennings looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Merker Junior shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jennings pinned against the cage. Jennings gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jennings misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jennings throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jennings misses with a body kick.
Merker Junior checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Merker Junior closes the distance but Jennings moves to the side
and Jennings makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Jennings closes the distance but Merker Junior moves to the side

and Merker Junior decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Jennings's guard.
Jennings 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merker Junior trying to control the position from guard on top but Jennings is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Merker Junior drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Jennings manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Merker Junior has Jennings in his guard.
Merker Junior keeping moving, preventing Jennings from controlling successfully.
Merker Junior has Jennings pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merker Junior working for a triangle but Jennings defends it easily.

Merker Junior has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jennings can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Merker Junior is working an open guard so Jennings takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Jennings throws a series of punches but Merker Junior avoids them all with ease.
Merker Junior showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jennings.
Merker Junior shoots in but no luck this time.
Jennings throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Merker Junior fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Merker Junior moves out of range as Jennings strikes.
Jennings swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Merker Junior fails to land the takedown.
Jennings wants to clinch

and Merker Junior counters with a nice double leg into side control. Jennings won't be happy with that.
Jennings is breathing heavily.
Merker Junior throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Jennings works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Merker Junior thows a huge punch but Jennings dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Merker Junior dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Merker Junior tries to keep at a distance but Jennings has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jennings with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jennings works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Jennings misses with a knee to the head.
Jennings misses with a punch on the inside.
Merker Junior jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jennings walks away with a smile on his face. Merker Junior gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jennings looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Jennings closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Merker Junior tries a body shot but Jennings blocks it.
Jennings is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Merker Junior is defending well for now.
Jennings misses with a short punch on the inside.
Merker Junior tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jennings throws an elbow that misses.
Merker Junior fails to pull guard.
Dewayne Jennings has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Merker Junior.
Jennings lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Merker Junior fails to pull guard.
Jennings landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jennings doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jennings lands a good knee to the midsection. Merker Junior won't want to take too many of those.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Merker Junior jumps guard.
Merker Junior lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Jennings!
Jennings stops Merker Junior from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Merker Junior moves to take his opponent's back.

Merker Junior is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Merker Junior tries to get the hooks in deep but Jennings pushed the leg off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Even with his hooks in, Merker Junior manages to miss with strikes from the back.
You can see the frustration on Jennings's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Merker Junior working for a choke but Jennings is defending well.

Merker Junior is persistently looking for the submission but Jennings is defending it well.
Jennings covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior trying to control momentarily.

Jennings showing good submission defense here.

Merker Junior is looking for a choke. Jennings gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Jennings manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Jennings preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jennings trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merker Junior not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jennings fails with an attempt to clinch.
Merker Junior misses with a takedown attempt - Jennings sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jennings just misses with a punch to the body.
Jennings fails to land with a series of punches.
Jennings digs a good hook to Merker Junior's body.
Merker Junior takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Merker Junior scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Merker Junior is thwarting Jennings's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dewayne Jennings will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jennings throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Merker Junior keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Jennings.
Dewayne Jennings is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jennings throws a leg kick but Merker Junior moved away.
Jennings swings for the body but Merker Junior moves out of range.
Jennings throws a series of punches but Merker Junior avoids them all with ease.
Jennings is looking to wear down Merker Junior with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Merker Junior fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jennings pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merker Junior slips under a jab from Jennings.
Jennings lands a jab to Merker Junior's midsection.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Jennings gets caught flat footed, as Merker Junior shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merker Junior throws a strike but Jennings rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Merker Junior looking for a sweep. Not yet Merker Junior, not yet.
Merker Junior bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jennings's guard.
Mark Merker Junior has got the better of the ground game so far.
Merker Junior is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Merker Junior advances position into side control!
Merker Junior slows the pace down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior scoring with punches from side control.
Jennings stops Merker Junior from passing to mount.
Merker Junior landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Merker Junior scores with a couple of short elbows.

Merker Junior thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Merker Junior lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jennings is not content to let Merker Junior control the position.

Merker Junior swings around for an armbar but Jennings sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Merker Junior's guard.
Merker Junior keeping moving, preventing Jennings from controlling successfully.
Merker Junior has a closed guard, preventing Jennings from standing up.
Jennings stopping the sweep attempt from Merker Junior.
Jennings is pushing down on Merker Junior's leg trying to pass to half guard. Merker Junior is fighting to maintain full guard but Jennings has managed to sneak the leg through.
Merker Junior is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jennings's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jennings's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Merker Junior has good solid back control here.

Merker Junior is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Jennings knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Jennings for a finish.
Jennings staying busy and making it hard for Merker Junior to control.
Merker Junior missing with strikes from the back.
Merker Junior cracks Jennings with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Jennings from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merker Junior is striking from the back but Jennings escapes and manages to recover to half guard.
Merker Junior is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Jennings!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Merker Junior really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Merker Junior darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Merker Junior not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jennings won't allow Merker Junior to pass to mount.
Merker Junior is looking to take a break and control but Jennings is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Merker Junior is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Jennings regains full guard. Nicely done.
Merker Junior must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Merker Junior advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merker Junior passes the guard and advances to mount!
Merker Junior looking to control but Jennings is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Merker Junior prevents Jennings from getting the reversal.

Merker Junior is working for a guillotine from mount but Jennings frees his head quite easily.
Jennings blocking the ground and pound.

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.

Merker Junior looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Merker Junior tries to control but Jennings wriggling away.
Jennings really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Merker Junior won't let Jennings get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Merker Junior is going olschool here, as he tries to force Jennings to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Jennings shrugs it off.
Merker Junior throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jennings is trying desperately to improve position.
Merker Junior punishing his opponent with strikes.
Merker Junior trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Jennings can't escape the position.
Merker Junior takes Jennings's back.

Jennings is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Merker Junior gets his way!

Merker Junior looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior struggling to land strikes to the head as Jennings covers up.
Merker Junior is controlling the position but Jennings somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Jennings is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Merker Junior's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Merker Junior's back!
Jennings controlling well, preventing Merker Junior from escaping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Merker Junior staying busy and making it hard for Jennings to control.
Jennings throwing sloppy strikes.
Jennings keeps control of the position as Merker Junior tries to break free.
Jennings controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Merker Junior dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Jennings throws a hook to the side of Merker Junior's head but Merker Junior sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jennings clinches but Merker Junior breaks the clinch

and Merker Junior counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Jennings's guard now.
Merker Junior pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jennings is keeping the position for now.

Merker Junior has gone for a leg lock! Jennings slips out almost immediately though and dives into Merker Junior's guard.
Jennings throwing strikes but missing.
Merker Junior manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jennings manages to get himself to full guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merker Junior wants to control from the top but Jennings keeps moving.

Merker Junior has gone for a leg lock! Jennings slips out almost immediately though and dives into Merker Junior's guard.

Jennings decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Jennings connects with the punch.
Jennings tests Merker Junior's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jennings pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Jennings counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Jennings.
Jennings with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jennings lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Merker Junior backwards.
Merker Junior tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jennings just stands there and leans against the cage.
Merker Junior tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jennings just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dewayne Jennings has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Merker Junior.
Jennings tries to land a knee to the head but Merker Junior blocks with his arms.
Jennings tries to land a knee to the head but Merker Junior blocks with his arms.

Merker Junior turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Merker Junior tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Merker Junior has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Merker Junior looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Jennings is avoiding damage well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merker Junior wants to control but Jennings is keeping him busy.
Merker Junior tries to advance to mount but Jennings denies him.
Dewayne Jennings has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Merker Junior is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Merker Junior scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Jennings to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Merker Junior is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Jennings has escaped the position, nice work there.
Jennings gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Merker Junior lands with a punch from half guard.
Jennings is in trouble now - Merker Junior has advanced to mount!
Merker Junior trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mark Merker Junior is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Merker Junior landing strikes from the mount and Jennings is in trouble!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Merker Junior comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Merker Junior has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 46:50
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 46:49
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Merker Junior!
Mark Merker Junior is the new welterweight champion!