PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Reabker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Namic Meri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Meri has chosen 50 Cent - See Me Bleedin as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Reabker
vs
Meri

187 cm
22
215 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

190 cm
19
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kevin Reabker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Namic Meri!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Albert Achterberg and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Meri tries to bum rush Reabker with a series of wild strikes but Reabker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Reabker is trying hard to land a takedown here. Meri sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kevin Reabker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reabker fails with a takedown attempt.
Reabker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Meri's waist but Meri gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Reabker off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Reabker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Meri tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Reabker counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Reabker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Meri throws a punch but it's blocked by Reabker.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Meri.
Meri swings wildly with an uppercut but Reabker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Meri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Reabker manages to pull guard.
Meri won't allow Reabker to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reabker looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Meri puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Reabker kicks off Meri and gets to his feet.
Meri tries to clinch up

and Reabker counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Reabker.
Reabker blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Reabker drops down looking for an ankle pick but Meri pulls his leg out and moves away.
Reabker circles away from the clinch attempt

and Reabker counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Reabker wants to get back to striking at distance but Meri won't allow it.

Reabker has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Meri uses from the top position.
Meri is fighting to break Reabker's control of his arms but Reabker is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Reabker wants to control the position but Meri says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Reabker is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Kevin Reabker wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Reabker misses with a left hand

and Meri counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Reabker stalling in the clinch.
Reabker drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Reabker pulls Meri into guard.
Reabker on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Reabker tries to get out of the position.
Reabker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Reabker is pulling down on Meri's head to control his posture.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Reabker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Meri tries to avoid it but Reabker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Meri to the ground. Meri escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Reabker has his takedown stuffed
and Meri counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reabker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Reabker is defended easily by Meri.
Reabker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Meri's waist but Meri gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Reabker off to one side.
Reabker is breathing heavily.
Meri throws a combination. Reabker tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Kevin Reabker 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!
Reabker fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Meri wants to clinch but Reabker slips to the side

so Reabker counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Meri wants to get back to his feet but Reabker is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Namic Meri will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kevin Reabker's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Meri slaps away a takedown attempt from Reabker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Meri moves to clinch but Reabker breaks away

and Reabker counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Reabker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Reabker throws a big right hand that misses.

Meri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reabker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Reabker manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Meri looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Reabker postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Meri looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Meri wants to stand and escape but Reabker is having none of it.
Reabker is looking to work some ground and pound but Meri has wrist control.
Reabker working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Meri's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meri wants to stand up but Reabker is controlling him.
Meri is breathing heavily.
Meri has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Reabker has passed into side control.
Meri taking a bit of punishment here - Reabker scoring with strikes.

Reabker thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Meri on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Meri is pushing Reabker's head away, looking to escape. Reabker manages to hold on to the position though.
Meri taking a bit of punishment here - Reabker scoring with strikes.
Reabker is chipping away with strikes.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Reabker lands some shots froms side control.
Reabker is putting a hurting on Meri here, landing some big shots from side control.
Meri taking punishment in the form of punches.
Meri is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Reabker wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Meri, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reabker working the head and body with strikes.
Reabker has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Reabker scores with a couple of short elbows.
Reabker grinds an elbow into Meri's temple.
Reabker working the ground and pound.
Reabker scores with punches from side control.

Reabker working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Reabker scores with punches from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Reabker is trying to get an arm triangle but Meri is defending well.
Reabker working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reabker cracks Meri with a big right hand but Meri just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Meri tries to buck Reabker off but Reabker is having none of it.
Reabker lands some shots froms side control.
Meri taking a bit of punishment here - Reabker scoring with strikes.
Meri is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Reabker off and has taken his back!
Meri is trying to stick to Reabker's back but Reabker is turning into Meri. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Meri's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Reabker.
Meri wants to improve his position but instead Reabker has moved into half guard.

Reabker is working for a kimura but Meri is defending it quite comfortably.

Reabker seems to be working for a kimura but Meri defends the submission attempt.
Reabker takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meri is pressing down on Reabker's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Reabker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Reabker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Reabker wants to control from the top but Meri keeps moving.
Meri is looking to stand up but Reabker isn't so interested in that idea.
Reabker landing with the ground and pound.
Reabker scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reabker is in close to Meri's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Reabker lands a couple of elbows.
Reabker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Reabker dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kevin Reabker's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Meri displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Reabker.
Meri closes the distance but Reabker moves to the side

and Reabker counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Meri is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Reabker is controlling him.
Reabker is working Meri over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Reabker with a nice head shot there.

Meri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reabker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Reabker manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Reabker works over Meri with some ground and pound from guard.
Meri takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Reabker stands and throws Meri's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Reabker working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Reabker is putting a hurting on Meri here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reabker lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Reabker passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Meri!
Reabker pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Reabker lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Kevin Reabker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Reabker lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
BOOM! Reabker connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Reabker scoring with strikes but Meri is staying in there.
Reabker lands a big shot there that rocks Meri but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reabker postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Meri looks a forlorn figure.

Reabker is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Meri can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Reabker lands a big shot there that rocks Meri but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Reabker raining down hammerfists from mount.

Reabker is working for a guillotine from mount but Meri frees his head quite easily.
Reabker pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meri wants to get back to his feet.
Reabker scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Meri tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Meri is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Reabker landing strikes, looking to finish!
Meri is bucking up trying to escape but Reabker cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Reabker lands a big elbow.
Meri really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
A nice elbow there by Reabker.
The referee warns Meri that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Reabker lands with some strikes.
Reabker with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reabker jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Meri manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Reabker is chipping away with strikes.
Meri is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Reabker working the head with strikes.
Reabker lands an elbow.
Meri is working to avoid the ground and pound but Reabker connects with a decent elbow.

Reabker tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Reabker has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Reabker is putting a hurting on Meri here, landing some big shots from side control.
Meri takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Reabker is looking to take a break and control but Meri is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reabker lands a nice forearm strike.
Reabker landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Reabker scores with a couple of short elbows.
Check out the look on Reabker's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Reabker is chipping away with strikes.
Reabker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Meri can do to turn this around?
Meri is looking to regain half guard here but Reabker keeps moving and retains side control.
Reabker scoring with punches and elbows.
Reabker scores with punches from side control.
Meri tries to bench press Reabker off him but Reabker keeps the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Reabker landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Reabker creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Reabker is working Meri over with some ground and pound from side control.
Reabker taking a break here but Meri is having none of it and regains half guard.
Meri is staying active underneath Reabker, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin Reabker showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Reabker 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kevin Reabker!