PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Angela Merkel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Preuss Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Merkel
vs
Belfort

225 cm
22
300 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

207 cm
22
290 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Angela Merkel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Preuss Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belfort wants to clinch up but Merkel keeps it at a distance.
Belfort tries to clinch but Merkel moves out of range.

Merkel closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Merkel lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belfort controls Merkel momentarily but Merkel frees himself.

Merkel drops back looking for a leg! Belfort is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Belfort manages to kick Merkel off! Merkel jumps back into Belfort's guard.
Belfort trying to keep a closed guard but Merkel is proving a slippery customer.

Merkel drops back looking for a leg! Belfort is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Belfort manages to kick Merkel off! Merkel jumps back into Belfort's guard.

Merkel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Belfort trying to strike off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Merkel drops back looking for a leg! Belfort is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Belfort manages to kick Merkel off! Merkel jumps back into Belfort's guard.
Merkel advances to half guard.
Belfort misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Merkel is looking for a kimura but Belfort is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Merkel to get the leverage.
Merkel will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Merkel seems to be working for a kimura but Belfort defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belfort is trying to control but can't.
Belfort is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Merkel looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Merkel is breathing heavily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Merkel prevents Belfort from standing back up.

That's two 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.
Belfort regains full guard. Nicely done.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Belfort can do anything to dispel that myth.
Belfort lands a decent shot there.
Belfort wants to sweep but no luck.
Merkel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Belfort swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Merkel drops back, looking for a kneebar! Belfort looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Belfort looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Belfort!
Merkel takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Belfort landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Merkel manages to work his way to half guard, despite Belfort's best efforts.
Belfort looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merkel is refusing to be controlled, as Belfort sits in half guard.
Merkel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Merkel.

Belfort got a little sloppy there for a moment and Merkel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Belfort has managed to get both his arms back between Merkel's legs - danger averted.
Belfort chips away with some ground and pound.

Merkel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Belfort defends it easily.
Belfort postures up and lands a big shot to Merkel's brow.
Belfort chips away with some ground and pound.
Belfort with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Belfort trying to control the position from guard on top but Merkel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merkel has his foot on Belfort's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Belfort works his way back into a safe position though.
Belfort tries to free his leg and advance position but Merkel is retaining full guard.
Belfort must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Belfort connects with a couple of short punches.
Merkel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Merkel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Belfort is aware though and is defending well.
Merkel has momentary wrist control but Belfort slips an elbow through the middle.
Belfort wants to pass the guard but Merkel is keeping the position.
Belfort wants to control from the top but Merkel keeps moving.

Merkel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Belfort defends well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belfort content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Belfort trying to control but Merkel is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Angela Merkel dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Belfort. No joy for Merkel on that attempt.
Merkel shoots for a double leg takedown but Belfort sprawls well. He's pushed Merkel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Belfort tries to clinch but Merkel is having none of it.
Merkel keeps the fight on the outside.
Merkel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Angela Merkel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belfort tries to clinch there but Merkel circles away.
Belfort is looking to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belfort looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belfort fails in his attempt to clinch.
Preuss Belfort seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belfort looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belfort tries to clinch but Merkel is having none of it.
Belfort tries to clinch but Merkel moves out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belfort tries to clinch there but Merkel circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merkel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Merkel misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Angela Merkel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Belfort tries to clinch up but Merkel circles away and keeps his distance.
Belfort tries to clinch up but Merkel circles away and keeps his distance.
Belfort moves in looking to clinch but Merkel pushes him off.
Belfort tries to clinch up but Merkel circles away and keeps his distance.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch but Merkel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Merkel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Merkel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Belfort moves into range and clinches up with Merkel.
Belfort prevents the takedown attempt.
Belfort presses Merkel against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Belfort lands a shoulder strike.
Merkel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Belfort wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort scores with a nice hook to the head.
Belfort wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Belfort makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Merkel has Belfort pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Belfort manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Belfort works on Merkel's body with a couple of short punches.
Merkel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Belfort fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch but Merkel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merkel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belfort looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belfort wants to clinch.
Preuss Belfort is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort tries to clinch there but Merkel circles away.
Belfort fails in his attempt to clinch.
Belfort fails in his attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Merkel.
Belfort tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Merkel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Merkel is defended easily by Belfort.
Nice takedown defense from Belfort. No joy for Merkel on that attempt.
Belfort is looking to clinch.

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.
Belfort tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Belfort is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belfort looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belfort fails in his attempt to clinch.
Belfort is looking to clinch but Merkel is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belfort looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Merkel has a takedown stuffed.
Merkel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merkel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Belfort is fending him off so far but Merkel persists. Nope, Belfort circles away and we're back to standing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belfort looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belfort wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preuss Belfort showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Belfort wants to clinch up but Merkel keeps it at a distance.

Merkel tries to keep at a distance but Belfort has taken the fight into the clinch.
Merkel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Belfort fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merkel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Merkel swats away the attempt to clinch by Belfort.
Belfort wants to clinch up but Merkel keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Merkel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Belfort moves in looking to clinch but Merkel pushes him off.
Merkel swats away the attempt to clinch by Belfort.
Nice sprawl there from Belfort as Merkel shoots in.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merkel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Belfort is looking to clinch but Merkel is avoiding it.
Merkel shoots in but Belfort avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Angela Merkel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belfort fails in his attempt to clinch.
Belfort fails with an attempt to clinch.
Belfort is looking to clinch.
Belfort moves in looking to clinch but Merkel pushes him off.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Merkel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Belfort moves in looking to clinch but Merkel pushes him off.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Merkel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Belfort tries to clinch but Merkel moves out of range.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merkel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Belfort tries to clinch up.
Belfort tries to clinch but Merkel is having none of it.

That's two 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.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Merkel.
Belfort doesn't manage to clinch there - Merkel circles away.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merkel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Belfort fails in his attempt to clinch.
Belfort tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Merkel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Merkel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Belfort fails with an attempt to clinch.
Merkel closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belfort circles away.
Belfort is looking to clinch but Merkel is avoiding it.
Belfort tries to clinch there but Merkel circles away.
Merkel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belfort's waist but Belfort gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Merkel off to one side.
Belfort fails with an attempt to clinch.
Belfort leaves Merkel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort wants to clinch.

Belfort closes the distance and clinches.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Belfort.
Merkel tries to score a body lock takedown but Belfort shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Belfort working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Belfort scores with a shot to the side of Merkel's head.
Belfort tries to break the clinch but Merkel is controlling the position.
Belfort misses with some punches.
Belfort wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Belfort fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Merkel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Belfort gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Belfort lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Belfort.
Merkel being controlled against the cage.
Merkel can't get the takedown.
Merkel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Belfort gets underhooks to prevent Merkel's takedown attempt.
Belfort works on Merkel's body with a couple of short punches.
A short uppercut from Belfort.
Belfort fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Belfort swings wildly with an uppercut but Merkel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Belfort wants to break free but Merkel has control.
Merkel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Preuss Belfort comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Belfort 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Preuss Belfort!