PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jiraia Merchury (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kurt Angle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Angle is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by DMX - Get It On The Floor (instrumental). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Merchury
vs
Angle

189 cm
22
200 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

183 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Syndicate Drugs
Hell's Balls Nutrition

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jiraia Merchury!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kurt Angle!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merchury stuffs the takedown.
Merchury with a lazy takedown attempt

and Angle counters with a single leg into guard. Merchury didn't expect that.
Angle passes Merchury's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Merchury looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Angle is taking a breather. Merchury says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Angle prevents Merchury from improving his position.
Angle performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Merchury is looking to improve his position.
Merchury is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Angle 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.
Merchury trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Angle takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Angle is thwarting Merchury's attempts to control the position.
Angle perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Angle is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchury missing with punches from the bottom.
Angle not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Despite being in the dominant position, Kurt Angle just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Angle shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Merchury wants to control but Angle is keeping busy.
Angle keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Merchury is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Angle pulls his head out easily.
Angle works his foot free and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Merchury gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Angle counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Angle controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Kurt Angle just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Angle throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Merchury was covering up waiting for the punch and Angle finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Angle passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchury is letting Angle control him for a moment.

Angle is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Merchury has escaped the position, nice work there.
Merchury takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchury looking for a sweep but Angle has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Angle controlling the position easily from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Angle is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Merchury can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Angle looking to secure an arm triangle but Merchury defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Angle controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurt Angle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Angle clinches.

Merchury jumps into guard, dragging Angle to the mat.
Merchury wants to control the position but Angle says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Still in half guard, Angle seems content to control.
Angle uses his free foot to push down on Merchury's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Merchury.
Merchury slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Angle trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Despite being in the dominant position, Kurt Angle just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Angle shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Merchury is trying to defend but Angle finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Angle controlling the pace.
Kurt Angle has got the better of the ground game so far.

Angle is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Merchury is just riding it out for now. Angle eventually gives up the hold.
Merchury pushes Angle off looking to stand but Angle dives back in and keeps control.
Kurt Angle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angle is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Angle is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Merchury trying to control from the bottom.
Jiraia Merchury has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Angle slows the pace down in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kurt Angle comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Angle 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kurt Angle!