PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Diego Mercado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Futcar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mercado comes to the cage accompanied by CKY - Flesh Into Gear. The crowd seem to be enjoying Futcar's choice of entrance music: No Remorse. Ivan Futcar will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Mercado
vs
Futcar

177 cm
23
300 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

222 cm
24
300 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Diego Mercado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ivan Futcar!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Yves DeLean and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Mercado misses.
Mercado misses with a body shot.
Mercado missing with a left hand there. Futcar was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mercado looks to land a left hand but Futcar moved out of range nicely.
Futcar moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Futcar listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mercado misses with an uppercut. Futcar saw that one coming.
Futcar defending well as Mercado loads up on a big left hand.
Futcar lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mercado is looking to clinch but Futcar is avoiding it.
Futcar tries for a takedown but Mercado sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mercado moves in looking to clinch but Futcar pushes him off.
Mercado misses with a two punch combination.
Mercado smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A swing and a miss from Mercado.

Futcar clinches up against the cage.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Futcar working hard to break the clinch.

Mercado pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mercado looks to score with a jab to the body but Futcar is just out of range.
Diego Mercado seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mercado misses with a hook. Futcar ducked under it nicely.
Mercado walks into a left hand.
Futcar closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Futcar looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mercado gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Futcar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Futcar moves out of range of the strikes.
Futcar misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Futcar defending well as Mercado loads up on a big left hand.
Mercado wants to clinch up but Futcar keeps it at a distance.
Mercado throws out a loose jab but Futcar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Futcar shoots in for a double leg but Mercado sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Diego Mercado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Futcar.
A telegraphed right hand from Mercado misses the target.
Mercado misses with a hook. Futcar ducked under it nicely.
Mercado throws a shot from downtown. Futcar moves away and avoids it.
Mercado throws a shot from downtown. Futcar moves away and avoids it.
A cross from Futcar lands.
Mercado fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Futcar shoots in but Mercado avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mercado moves in looking to clinch but Futcar pushes him off.
Mercado stuffs the takedown attempt from Futcar. Futcar gets slowly back to his feet.
Futcar is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Futcar tries to keep at a distance but Mercado has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mercado stalling in the clinch but Futcar improves position.

Mercado breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Futcar misses with a takedown attempt
and Mercado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The fighters circling - Mercado throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Futcar darts in and clinches Mercado up against the cage.

Futcar breaks the clinch.
Futcar wants to clinch up but Mercado keeps it at a distance.
A big left from Mercado misses.
Futcar throws a head kick but Mercado moves out of range.
Futcar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mercado throws out the jab.
Futcar ducks under a wild hook from Mercado.
Mercado misses with a looping left.
Futcar swats away the attempt to clinch by Mercado.
A slow jab from Mercado misses its intended target.
Mercado drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Mercado swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Futcar counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Futcar ducks under a wild hook from Mercado.
Mercado is breathing heavily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mercado darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mercado takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Futcar moves out of range of the strikes.
Mercado is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Futcar scores with a jab.
Futcar goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado throws a jab when Futcar was well out of range.
Futcar stuns Mercado with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Futcar throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mercado was covering up waiting for the punch and Futcar finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Futcar trying to control but Mercado is working from the bottom.
Futcar controls from within his opponent's guard.
Futcar trying to control but Mercado is working from the bottom.
Mercado is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Futcar wants to control from the top but Mercado keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercado is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Futcar is controlling him.
Futcar trying to control but Mercado is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mercado tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Futcar paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mercado misses the body punch
and Futcar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Futcar changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Futcar misses with a two punch combination.
Mercado takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Futcar is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Mercado had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Mercado stuffs the takedown.
Futcar throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercado stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Futcar.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Futcar connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Futcar lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Mercado takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Futcar keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mercado.

Futcar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Futcar dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Futcar shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Mercado napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Mercado is trying to buck Futcar off.
Futcar is looking to take a break and control but Mercado is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Futcar tries for a kimura but Mercado is defending well.
Mercado is looking to get back to his feet here but Futcar is keeping cool and he's managed to take Mercado's back.
Mercado breaks Futcar's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Futcar looking to control.
Futcar throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Mercado postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercado trying to control the position from guard on top but Futcar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mercado stands and steps away. Futcar gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Futcar tests Mercado's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Futcar fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mercado throws a jab but it's blocked by Futcar.
Futcar slips a jab from Mercado.
No luck for Futcar with that takedown attempt.
Futcar connects with a body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mercado fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Futcar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mercado.
The fighters circling - Mercado throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mercado lands with a nice combination. Futcar backs away looking to recover.
Futcar throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Mercado circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mercado stuffs the takedown attempt from Futcar. Futcar gets slowly back to his feet.
Diego Mercado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Futcar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Futcar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mercado throws out the jab.
Futcar tries to clinch up.
Mercado is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Futcar's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Futcar shoots for a takedown but Mercado saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice jab there from Mercado.

It looks like Ivan Futcar has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Futcar circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mercado tries to clinch up.
Futcar has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Futcar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mercado throws the left hand but Futcar avoids the punch easily.
Futcar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mercado.

Futcar drives through and clinches with Mercado against the cage.

Mercado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Futcar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mercado throws out the jab.
Futcar lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Futcar punishes Mercado's body with a nice straight punch.
Futcar tries to work over Mercado's front leg with a kick but Mercado checks it.
Mercado on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Futcar fails with a takedown attempt.
Mercado fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado wants to clinch but Futcar slips to the side

and Futcar counters by moving into the clinch.
Mercado misses with a body punch.

Mercado breaks from the clinch.
Futcar slips a jab from Mercado.
Mercado has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Futcar connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mercado's hands.
Mercado throws a combination that misses
and Futcar counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Futcar lands with a good body shot.
Futcar tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mercado sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Futcar somewhat.
Futcar scores with a nice head shot.
Futcar lands a head shot.
Mercado changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Futcar tries to avoid it but Mercado manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Futcar to the ground. Futcar escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Futcar dodges the punch combination from Mercado.
Futcar tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mercado is able to avoid easily.
Futcar jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Futcar throws a right hand that Mercado ducks under and follows up with a left that Mercado also avoids with ease.
Futcar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Futcar misses with a takedown attempt - Mercado sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Futcar rushes Mercado and presses him up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Futcar tries to break free but Mercado pushes him back against the cage.
Futcar scores with a knee to the head.
Mercado lands an elbow that stopped Futcar in his tracks for a moment.
Futcar goes for a takedown attempt but Mercado pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mercado checks a leg kick.
Mercado misses the jab.
Mercado shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Futcar as he avoids it easily.
Mercado throws a body punch but Futcar moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercado throws a jab but it's blocked by Futcar.

Futcar gets a clinch.
Mercado looking to slow down the pace here.
Mercado is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Futcar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ivan Futcar's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Futcar wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Futcar displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Mercado misses with a straight right.
Mercado looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Futcar tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mercado swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mercado throws a hook but Futcar avoids it easily.
Mercado looks to clinch
and Futcar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Futcar throws a push kick but Mercado slaps the foot to one side.
Futcar jabs at Mercado's body.
Nice takedown defense from Mercado. No joy for Futcar on that attempt.
Mercado takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Futcar fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mercado sprawls well initially but Futcar persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Futcar working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mercado might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Futcar is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Mercado!
Futcar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mercado is looking to escape.
Mercado working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Futcar seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Mercado is holding on tight.
Futcar tries to control but Mercado wriggling away.
Mercado can't escape the position.
Futcar wants to control the pace but Mercado is squirming around nicely.
Mercado is desperately trying to improve his position but Futcar has a good base and remains in mount.
Futcar wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Futcar throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Futcar controlling the position easily from mount.

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.

Futcar jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Mercado is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Mercado and Futcar has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Mercado tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Mercado tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mercado is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Futcar trying to control but Mercado is having none of it.
Mercado is desperately trying to improve his position but Futcar has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Futcar working the ground and pound effectively.

Mercado bucks Futcar off and manages to get back to his feet!
Futcar wants to clinch up but Mercado keeps it at a distance.
Mercado tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Futcar was well out of range. Poor timing from Mercado.
Mercado pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ivan Futcar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mercado misses with a double jab

so Futcar counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Futcar sitting in guard here, content to control.
Futcar wants to pass the guard but Mercado is keeping the position.
Mercado keeping moving, preventing Futcar from controlling successfully.
Futcar passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Futcar is keen to just control but Mercado is a slippery customer.

Futcar is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mercado doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Futcar.
Mercado looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mercado kicks Futcar off and gets back to his feet.
Mercado avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Futcar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mercado.
Diego Mercado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Futcar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Futcar throws a low kick, looking for Mercado's leg but Mercado calmly moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Futcar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Futcar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Futcar!