PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bertie Bassett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reynald Mercier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bassett comes to the cage accompanied by ET. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Reynald Mercier enters the cage!

Bassett
vs
Mercier

191 cm
28
272 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

197 cm
25
247 lbs
5 - 4 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 160Q/159Q supps!)

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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Bertie Bassett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Reynald Mercier!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bassett shoots and misses
and Mercier counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bassett dodges the punch combination from Mercier.
Mercier pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big left from Mercier misses.
Bassett shoots in and drives through. Mercier sprawls well.

Mercier throws a head kick that lands with a deafening thwack! The crowd roars as Bassett stumbles backwards and falls to the mat. Mercier follows into mount!

Bassett is rocked!

It looks like Bertie Bassett has been cut.
Bassett is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Mercier lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Oh Bassett is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mercier controlling from mount.
Bassett seems to have got his legs back now.
Mercier trying to control but Bassett is having none of it.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Mercier cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bassett takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Mercier wants to take Bassett's back here but Bassett is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Mercier controlling the pace for now.

Mercier working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mercier postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Bassett looks a forlorn figure.
Bassett is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bassett tries to lock up and control but Mercier gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mercier controlling his opponent.
Bassett is looking to improve his position but Mercier isn't that keen on the idea.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mercier controlling from the full mount.
Mercier prevents Bassett from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mercier is looking to work his way around to Bassett's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.

Mercier is working for a guillotine from mount but Bassett frees his head quite easily.
Bassett sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Mercier is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Bassett is trying to control but Mercier manages to pass to mount!
Mercier takes Bassett's back.

Mercier has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Bassett! Can he survive? No! He's out! Mercier gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Reynald Mercier!