PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Armin Merkel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simppa Koivu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Merkel comes to the cage accompanied by Juke Joint Jezebel. Koivu has chosen Omnium gatherum - The Return as his entrance music. Simppa Koivu is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Merkel
vs
Koivu

225 cm
24
300 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
300 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Nemesis Cage Clothing

Machina Clothing
Machina Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Armin Merkel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Simppa Koivu!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Joseph Jones and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koivu cracks the inside of Merkel's front leg.
Koivu ducks under a wild hook from Merkel.
Merkel swings for the body but Koivu moves out of range.
Merkel walks into a stiff left hand from Koivu.
Armin Merkel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Merkel walks into a straight right hand from Koivu.
Merkel misses with the combination.
Koivu will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Merkel crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Koivu - the referee stops the clock and Merkel gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Koivu. Merkel manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Merkel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koivu manages to avoid it.
Merkel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Koivu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koivu misses with a low kick.
Merkel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Koivu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Merkel.
Merkel throws a hook but Koivu blocks it.
Koivu misses with a takedown attempt - Merkel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Koivu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Koivu closes the distance and clinches up with Merkel, looking for a takedown. Koivu pushes Merkel against the cage but Merkel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Merkel looks to land a right hand but Koivu moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merkel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Koivu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Koivu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Koivu misses with an attempted mid kick.
An inside leg kick from Koivu misses.
Koivu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Merkel.
Koivu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Merkel misses with a wild body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Koivu.
Merkel scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Koivu.
Merkel looks to score with a jab to the body but Koivu is just out of range.
Merkel stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Koivu.
Koivu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Koivu throws an overhand right that lands on Merkel's shoulder, as Merkel tries to avoid the shot.
Merkel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Koivu walks into a jab.
Koivu tried to score with a low kick but Merkel checks it.
Koivu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Merkel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merkel throws a jab but it's blocked by Koivu.
Merkel jabs Koivu right on the nose. Koivu blinks but takes it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A cross from Merkel lands.

It looks like Simppa Koivu has been cut.
Merkel misses with a looping right.
Merkel cracks Koivu with a good jab.
Merkel throws a right and a left that Koivu avoids nicely.
Koivu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Merkel.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Koivu slips under a jab from Merkel.
A slapping leg kick lands for Koivu.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armin Merkel dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Simppa Koivu's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Koivu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Koivu tried to score with a low kick but Merkel checks it.
Koivu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Koivu chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Merkel with a jab.
Koivu throws a quick inside leg kick.
Koivu throws a low kick, looking for Merkel's leg but Merkel calmly moves out of range.
Koivu fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Merkel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koivu throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Merkel.
Merkel waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Koivu.
Koivu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Merkel's calf.
Merkel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Koivu lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Koivu throws a nice looking combination but Merkel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Merkel moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Merkel thows a body shot but no joy.
Koivu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koivu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Merkel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Koivu was well out of range. Poor timing from Merkel.
Merkel looks to throw the jab but Koivu is out of range.
Merkel is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Merkel throws a body punch but Koivu moves out of range.
Merkel sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Merkel misses with a straight left.
Koivu tries to move into range but Merkel moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Merkel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Koivu on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koivu scores with a jab to the jaw.
Merkel lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Koivu tries to clinch there but Merkel circles away.
Koivu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Koivu.
Koivu is looking to slow Merkel down with leg kicks.
Koivu scores with a leg kick.
Merkel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merkel takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Merkel displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A solid leg kick lands there for Koivu.
Koivu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Merkel.

Merkel gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Koivu to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Merkel 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 crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Koivu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Koivu passes Merkel's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armin Merkel dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Simppa Koivu's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Koivu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Koivu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Merkel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Koivu circles away quickly and effectively.
Merkel misses with an uppercut.
Merkel misses the jab.
Koivu tries to land a leg kick but Merkel saw it coming and moves away.
Koivu with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Koivu throws a lazy right hand but Merkel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Koivu darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koivu loads up on a big right hand but Merkel slips the punch.
Armin Merkel is winning the standup battle so far.
Merkel swinging wilding here.

Koivu clinches with his opponent.
Koivu throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Merkel.
Koivu tries to pull guard but Merkel holds him up against the cage and eventually Koivu drops back down to his feet.
Koivu misses with the head strike.
Koivu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Koivu has Merkel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Merkel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Merkel prevents a takedown attempt there.
Armin Merkel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Simppa Koivu.
Koivu has a couple of punches blocked by Merkel.

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.
Merkel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Koivu tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Merkel just stands there and leans against the cage.
Merkel lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Merkel.
A looping hook to the body misses from Koivu. Merkel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Koivu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Koivu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Koivu throws a front kick aimed at Merkel's knee but Merkel avoids it well.
Merkel misses with an uppercut.
Koivu misses with a hook. Merkel ducked under it nicely.
Koivu blocks a jab.
Good work by Merkel as he checks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koivu swings for the body but Merkel moves out of range.
Merkel misses with a shot to the body
and Koivu counters with a body kick that stops Merkel in his tracks momentarily.
Merkel throws the left hand but Koivu avoids the punch easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Merkel misses the target.
Merkel looks to land a right hand but Koivu moved out of range.
Koivu scores with a leg kick.
Koivu walks into a left hand.
No joy there for Merkel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Koivu slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merkel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Koivu throws a low kick, looking for Merkel's leg but Merkel calmly moves out of range.
Merkel ducks under a wild hook from Koivu.
Merkel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Merkel ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Merkel misses the jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Merkel misses with a hook.
Merkel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Koivu on the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armin Merkel clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Simppa Koivu's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Merkel connects with a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Merkel misses the target.
Merkel scores with a jab to the body.
Merkel misses with a straight left.
Koivu staying out of range there.
Koivu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Merkel.
Merkel works Koivu's body with a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Merkel scores with a nice head shot.
Koivu is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Koivu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merkel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Koivu moves away.
Merkel punishes Koivu's body with a nice straight punch.
Merkel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Koivu on the side of the head.
Merkel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Koivu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koivu moves out of range of the strikes.
Merkel misses with a hook.
Merkel takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Merkel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Koivu on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merkel misses with a hook. Koivu ducked under it nicely.
Merkel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Koivu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Merkel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Koivu was well out of range. Poor timing from Merkel.
Merkel connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Koivu momentarily.
Merkel misses with a combination
and Koivu makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Koivu has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Koivu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Merkel.
Koivu is looking to chop away at Merkel's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merkel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Koivu staying out of range there.
A swing and a miss from Merkel.
Merkel swats away the attempt to clinch by Koivu.
Koivu looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Merkel is fending him off so far but Koivu persists. Nope, Merkel circles away and we're back to standing.
Koivu wants to slow Merkel down by chopping away at his legs.
Koivu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Merkel.
Koivu takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Merkel as he checks the leg kick.
Merkel lands a nice hook to Koivu's body. Koivu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Merkel blocks the body kick.
Koivu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koivu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Merkel dips to his left and cracks Koivu with an uppercut!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Merkel scores with the left hand. Koivu knows he should have avoided that one.
Merkel scores with a hook to the body. Koivu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armin Merkel had his way with Simppa Koivu in that round.
The cut man is working on Simppa Koivu's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Merkel misses with a body shot.
Koivu throws a sloppy body shot
and Merkel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Koivu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Merkel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koivu can do to turn this around?
Merkel tests Koivu's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Koivu, right into the meat.
Merkel lands a body shot.
Merkel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koivu manages to avoid it.
Koivu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Koivu is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merkel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Merkel with a hook.
Koivu walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Merkel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Koivu wants to clinch but Merkel slips to the side
and Merkel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Koivu throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Merkel was covering up waiting for the punch and Koivu finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Merkel is looking to stand up but Koivu isn't so interested in that idea.
Koivu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Koivu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Merkel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Koivu is controlling him.
Koivu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Merkel is on top in guard.
Koivu being controlled here, momentarily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koivu can't keep his opponent in guard - Merkel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merkel prevents Koivu from improving his position.
Simppa Koivu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Koivu actively working from the bottom here.
Merkel controlling the action here.
Koivu gets back to full guard.
Merkel preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four 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.
Koivu is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Merkel wanted to stand there but Koivu had control of the position.
Merkel preventing the sweep.

Merkel stands up and waves to Koivu to follow him.
Koivu swings away with a body shot that misses
and Merkel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Koivu looks to land a right hand but Merkel moved out of range.
Merkel misses with a looping right.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Good work by Merkel as he checks the leg kick.
Merkel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Koivu.

And that's the end of the fight!
Armin Merkel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Merkel, 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 50:44
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 50:44
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Armin Merkel!
Armin Merkel is the new super heavyweight champion!