PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between manny merk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zach holisberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). manny merk has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

merk
vs
holisberg

188 cm
18
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, manny merk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zach holisberg!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Chad Campbell and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - merk looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
manny merk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
merk is looking to clinch but holisberg is avoiding it.

holisberg throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. merk was covering up waiting for the punch and holisberg finishes the takedown easily into guard.
holisberg content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
merk wants to stand and escape but holisberg is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

holisberg stands up from guard. Let's bang!
holisberg blocks a head kick by merk.

holisberg shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
merk is working to get back to half guard.
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.

holisberg gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
merk throws a sloppy head kick and holisberg moves out of range easily.
merk throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
merk has his takedown stuffed

and holisberg counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
holisberg lands a body shot in the clinch.
merk tries to pull guard but holisberg holds him up against the cage and eventually merk drops back down to his feet.
merk is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
merk tries to stall but holisberg uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

holisberg has merk pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. holisberg pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending merk tumbling to the mat - holisberg dives into merk's guard.

holisberg decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
merk bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
merk gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so holisberg counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for manny merk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
merk is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
holisberg looking to pass the guard.

holisberg decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
merk with a lazy takedown attempt

and holisberg counters with a single leg into guard. merk didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
holisberg passes into half guard.
holisberg passes to side control.
merk is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on merk's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

holisberg is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. merk is trying to escape and holisberg transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and merk is forced to tap! Nice work there by holisberg! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Zach holisberg!