PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ray Mercer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ray Mercer looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Mercer
vs
Roberts

194 cm
18
249 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
230 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ray Mercer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jason Roberts!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Anthony Taglia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Mercer.
Roberts throws a head kick that misses.
Mercer doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Roberts counters with a single leg into guard. Mercer didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Roberts slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Mercer working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Roberts.
Mercer working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Roberts.
Roberts looking to pass the guard.
Roberts is looking to stand up but Mercer won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jason Roberts hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nice takedown defense from Mercer. No joy for Roberts on that attempt.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mercer but Mercer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Roberts.
Ray Mercer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Roberts.
Roberts walks into a straight right hand from Mercer.
Nice takedown defense from Mercer. No joy for Roberts on that attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Roberts is defended easily by Mercer.
Roberts looks gassed!

Oooooh!!! Mercer has knocked Roberts down with a huge combo! Mercer steps away and waves a wobbly Roberts back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Jason Roberts has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A combination from Mercer does no damage.
Mercer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Roberts.
Mercer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Roberts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mercer works the jab nicely.
A punch combination from Mercer misses.
Mercer connects with a crisp jab.
Mercer fails to land with a series of punches.
Mercer misses with a two punch combination.
Mercer closes the distance and clinches up with Roberts, looking for a takedown. Mercer pushes Roberts against the cage but Roberts circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Roberts tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mercer swivels and escapes.
Mercer shoots in for a takedown but Roberts shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A punch lands to the side of Roberts 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Ray Mercer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mercer closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mercer lands in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Roberts looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Roberts keeping moving, preventing Mercer from controlling successfully.
Mercer pushes down on Roberts's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mercer is looking to take a break and control but Roberts is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Roberts trying to control but Mercer postures up.
Mercer wants to pass to mount but Roberts is defending the position.
Roberts tries to roll over but Mercer keeps him under control.

We're going to have a standup here because Ray Mercer wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Mercer misses with a jab, cross combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercer swinging wildly here.
Roberts fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Mercer dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jason Roberts's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Roberts gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mercer counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Roberts misses with a body kick.
Mercer misses with a jab, cross combination.
Roberts tries to clinch there but Mercer circles away.
Roberts ducks under a wild hook from Mercer.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mercer as he jumps to the side.
Mercer connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Roberts's hands.
Good standup being displayed there by Mercer as he connects with a hook.
Mercer works over Roberts's head and body with a nice combination.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mercer as he avoids it easily.
Ray Mercer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Roberts.
Roberts throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mercer misses with a wild combination.
Roberts keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ray Mercer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer throws a series of punches but Roberts avoids them all with ease.
Roberts dodges the punch combination from Mercer.
Roberts tries to clinch there but Mercer circles away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mercer.
Roberts slaps away a takedown attempt from Mercer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mercer looks for a takedown but Roberts sprawls well.
Mercer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A left and a right from Mercer both land. Nice combination.
Roberts misses with a wild combination.
Mercer looks to land a combination. Roberts sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercer avoids the head kick by Roberts.
Mercer dives in and grabs Roberts's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roberts pushes down on Mercer's head and hops out.
Mercer scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Roberts doesn't seem bothered though.
Ray Mercer is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice takedown defense from Roberts. No joy for Mercer on that attempt.
Mercer throws a series of punches but Roberts moves out of range.
Roberts will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mercer steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Roberts. That one must have hurt.
Mercer fails to land with a series of punches.
Mercer moves out of range as Roberts throws a body kick.
Roberts takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Roberts misses with a double jab.
Mercer cracks Roberts with an open hand slap.
Roberts shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mercer pinned against the cage. Mercer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown but Mercer shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer fails to land the takedown.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mercer as he jumps to the side.
Roberts tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mercer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Roberts moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No luck for Mercer with that takedown attempt.
Roberts shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mercer pinned against the cage. Mercer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mercer misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mercer pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Roberts back to the cage. Mercer follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Roberts.
Mercer throws a series of strikes that have Roberts backpedaling.
Mercer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Roberts gets the takedown into side control.

Roberts has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Roberts misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mercer misses with the combination.
Mercer misses with a series of wild punches.
Mercer keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Mercer dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jason Roberts's cut.
That's time! Mercer's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nice shot lands for Mercer.
An inside leg kick from Roberts misses.
Roberts tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mercer misses with a few strikes there.
Roberts tries to bum rush Mercer with a series of wild strikes but Mercer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Roberts gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mercer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Roberts pulls his leg out and moves away.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mercer but Mercer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercer misses with a hook. Roberts ducked under it nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Roberts misses with a double jab.
Mercer throws a right hand that Roberts ducks under and follows up with a left that Roberts also avoids with ease.
Mercer tries to bum rush Roberts with a series of wild strikes but Roberts uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mercer pinned against the cage. Mercer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mercer as he jumps to the side.
Ray Mercer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Roberts.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mercer sprawls well. Mercer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Roberts gets slowly back to his feet.
Mercer tries for a takedown but Roberts sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A low kick from Mercer misses

and Roberts moves into the clinch.
Roberts tries to pull guard but Mercer won't allow it.
Mercer has Roberts pressed against the cage, preventing Roberts from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Roberts is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mercer is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Roberts gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercer keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Roberts's efforts to push away.
Roberts throws a knee to the head but misses.

Mercer manages to break the clinch.
Mercer tries for a takedown but Roberts sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Roberts misses with a head kick.
Mercer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Roberts slips a jab and a cross from Mercer.
Mercer misses with a few strikes there.
A combination from Mercer does no damage.
Mercer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Roberts fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mercer manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Roberts counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Roberts.
Roberts wants to break free but Mercer has control.
Roberts tries for a takedown but Mercer manages to get underhooks.
Roberts is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mercer pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mercer looking for a takedown.
Mercer has a couple of punches blocked by Roberts.
Mercer is trying to push Roberts away but Roberts has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mercer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Roberts wants to stall.

Mercer manages to break the clinch.

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.
Mercer punishes Roberts's body with a nice straight punch.
Roberts checks the leg kick nicely there.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown but Mercer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mercer fails with the takedown

and Roberts counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Roberts is controlling the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Roberts comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mercer has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Mercer!