PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Mercurius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Herzog (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mercurius comes to the cage accompanied by Amplifier - The Wave. Herzog has chosen Robert Tepper - No Easy Way Out as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mercurius
vs
Herzog

181 cm
25
180 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

175 cm
30
180 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

Perkele!
Perkele!

Perkele!
Resistance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rocky Mercurius!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris Herzog!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herzog walks into a jab.
Herzog throws a good cross that connects.
Herzog fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mercurius on the side of the head.
Mercurius throws the kick towards the body but Herzog avoids it.
Mercurius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Herzog.
Mercurius tries to clinch but Herzog moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Herzog.
Mercurius throws a body punch but Herzog moves out of range.
Herzog steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Mercurius. That one must have hurt.
Herzog throws a big shot that misses.
Herzog throws a sloppy body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Herzog with a hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Herzog.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Herzog fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Herzog wants to slow Mercurius down by chopping away at his legs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mercurius.
Mercurius lands a right hook to the body.
Herzog throws a right hand that misses
and Mercurius counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercurius checks a leg kick.
Mercurius tries to work over Herzog's front leg with a kick but Herzog checks it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Herzog.
Herzog throws a low kick but Mercurius moves out of range easily.
Mercurius throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Herzog sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Chris Herzog seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mercurius looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mercurius will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mercurius connects with a single shot there.
Herzog checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Mercurius closes the distance and clinches.
Mercurius lands a left hand that snaps the head of Herzog backwards.

Herzog gets control of Mercurius's arms and successfully pulls guard. Herzog will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Mercurius throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Herzog works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mercurius is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Herzog pulls Mercurius in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mercurius 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.
Herzog avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mercurius accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mercurius is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mercurius throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Herzog is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Mercurius is looking to stand up but Herzog won't let him.
Herzog working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercurius wants to control from the top but Herzog keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Herzog holds on and takes a little breather.
Mercurius looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rocky Mercurius.
A thudding body kick lands there by Mercurius!
Herzog walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Herzog scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Herzog wants to pass to mount but Mercurius is defending the position.
Mercurius is controlling Herzog's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Mercurius tries to get to full guard but Herzog has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Herzog is just content to waste time from the top position. Mercurius takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Mercurius wants to sweep but no luck.
Mercurius avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Herzog trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercurius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mercurius looking to hit a scissor sweep but Herzog is one step ahead there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mercurius keeping full guard, as Herzog tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Mercurius dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mercurius connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Mercurius missing with a left hand there. Herzog was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mercurius lands a jab.
Mercurius tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Herzog swivels and escapes.
Mercurius throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Herzog stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Herzog throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Herzog drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Herzog scores with a jab to the body.
Herzog blocks a low kick nicely.
Herzog checks the leg kick nicely there.
Mercurius throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Herzog misses with a body kick.
Herzog shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mercurius as he jumps to the side.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Mercurius. Herzog shrugs it off though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Herzog decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Herzog is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Mercurius!
Herzog controlling the position easily from mount.
Mercurius really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Herzog looking to control but Mercurius is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Herzog throwing strikes here but Mercurius is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Herzog raining down hammerfists from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Herzog trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Herzog pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Mercurius tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius tries to lock up and control but Herzog gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Herzog wants to take his opponent's back but instead Mercurius manages to regain half guard.

Herzog is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Herzog trying to control from half guard but Mercurius is working away.

Herzog seems to be working for a kimura but Mercurius defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius is pressing down on Herzog's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mercurius keeping moving, preventing Herzog from controlling successfully.
Mercurius is trying to keep Herzog in close.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Herzog working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mercurius's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Herzog showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Mercurius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mercurius goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Herzog throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Herzog fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mercurius tries to clinch there but Herzog circles away.
Rocky Mercurius is winning the standup battle so far.
Mercurius fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Herzog manages to avoid it.
Herzog shoots in for a takedown but Mercurius shows good takedown defense.
Herzog avoids a kick to the body.
Mercurius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Herzog circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mercurius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Herzog.
Mercurius misses with a kick to the body
and Herzog makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Herzog misses with a low kick.
Mercurius misses with a leg kick
and Herzog makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mercurius lands a lovely overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercurius fails with a takedown attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Mercurius. Those never looked like landing.
Herzog scores with a body shot.
Mercurius just misses with a punch to the body.
Herzog fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mercurius manages to avoid it.
The crowd cheers as Herzog lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mercurius doesn't seem phased though.
Herzog goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Mercurius is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Herzog.
Mercurius looks to land a left hand but Herzog moved out of range nicely.
Herzog lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Herzog throws a head kick that misses.
Herzog steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mercurius.
Mercurius scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Herzog lands a nice hook to Mercurius's body. Mercurius takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Herzog is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Mercurius rather than just go for the knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Herzog.
Mercurius misses with a hook
and Herzog counters with a good, hard body kick but Mercurius shrugs it off.
Herzog swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Herzog throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mercurius misses with a body kick.
Mercurius avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mercurius on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Herzog misses with a low kick as Mercurius jumps back.
Jab from Mercurius.
A head kick from Herzog lands but Mercurius takes it in his stride.
Mercurius chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Herzog can pounce on him.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Mercurius, right into the meat.
Herzog tries a head kick but it misses.
Mercurius thows a leg kick but Herzog checks it
and Herzog makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Mercurius really felt that one!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius thows a body shot but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mercurius lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Herzog catches Mercurius with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Herzog checks a leg kick.
Herzog moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mercurius ducks right into an uppercut from Herzog.
Herzog throws a head kick that misses.
Mercurius lands an overhand right.
Mercurius dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Herzog loads up on a big right hand but Mercurius slips the punch.
Herzog is looking to land body kicks.
Herzog thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mercurius scores with a leg kick.
Herzog misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Herzog.
Mercurius moves out of range of the body kick from Herzog.
Nice body kick from Herzog.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercurius blocks a head kick by Herzog.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mercurius.
Herzog avoids the head kick by Mercurius.
Mercurius swings for the body but Herzog moves out of range.
Mercurius throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercurius dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Herzog connects with a nice looking jab.
Herzog misses with a leg kick
and Mercurius counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Herzog tries for a takedown but Mercurius sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Herzog really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Herzog tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mercurius was well out of range. Poor timing from Herzog.
Mercurius scoring well with a low kick there.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mercurius.
Mercurius swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mercurius scores with a jab.
Mercurius feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Herzog's calf.
Mercurius throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Herzog.
A jab from Mercurius misses.
A head kick misses from Mercurius.
Mercurius thows a left - swing and a miss!
Herzog keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Herzog fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Herzog throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercurius.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog looks to land a body kick but Mercurius moved away.
Herzog throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A big right from Mercurius misses.
Herzog rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mercurius counters with a left to the body.
Herzog throws a nice inside leg kick.
Herzog throws a low kick, looking for Mercurius's leg but Mercurius calmly moves out of range.
Mercurius looks for a takedown but Herzog sprawls well.
An inside leg kick lands from Mercurius.
Herzog misses with an uppercut. Mercurius saw that one coming.
Mercurius keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Herzog scores with a kick to the midsection.

Mercurius gets a takedown into half guard.
Herzog tries to roll over but Mercurius keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mercurius is working away from the top position though.
Herzog is looking for a sweep. Mercurius is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
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!
Mercurius slows the pace down in half guard.
Herzog wants to control but Mercurius is keeping busy.
Mercurius missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mercurius passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Herzog!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius landing strikes, looking to finish!
Mercurius throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Mercurius wants to control the pace but Herzog is squirming around nicely.
Herzog can't escape the position.
Mercurius landing strikes from the mount and Herzog is in trouble!
Herzog tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Herzog is squirming around, avoiding Mercurius's attempts to control the action.
Herzog has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Mercurius's lack of action.
Herzog is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius is looking to take a break and control but Herzog is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Mercurius in particular looking to stall.
Mercurius sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Herzog defending well though.
Herzog regains full guard. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercurius stands up over Herzog, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Herzog is pulling down on Mercurius's head. It's preventing any offense from Mercurius, at least for the moment.
Mercurius trying to control the position from guard on top but Herzog is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Mercurius had his way with Chris Herzog in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Herzog keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Herzog connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mercurius ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mercurius takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Mercurius - that will leave a mark!
Mercurius fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Herzog manages to avoid it.
Herzog waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mercurius.
Mercurius tries to clinch but Herzog is having none of it.
Good work by Herzog as he checks the leg kick.
Herzog rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mercurius counters with a slapping leg kick.
Mercurius keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mercurius moves into range and connects with a jab.
Herzog throws a combination that misses
and Herzog takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Herzog is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercurius misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Herzog.
Herzog looks to land a left hand but Mercurius moved out of range nicely.
Mercurius fails with an attempt to clinch.
Herzog takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Mercurius shoots in and bounces Herzog off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herzog is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Herzog keeping moving, preventing Mercurius from controlling successfully.

Mercurius postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Herzog is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mercurius, into his guard.
Herzog passes Mercurius's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog wants to take a breather but Mercurius is having none of it.
Herzog is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Mercurius is looking to sweep but instead, Herzog has passed into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius is trying to maintain the position but Herzog is very close to passing his half guard.
Herzog not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Herzog is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mercurius is just riding it out for now. Herzog eventually gives up the hold.
Herzog throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mercurius has Herzog pulled in close to control his posture.
Herzog distracts Mercurius with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Mercurius keeping full guard, as Herzog tries to pass.
Herzog must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Herzog won't allow Mercurius to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rocky Mercurius.
I think Mercurius 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 48:47
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocky Mercurius!
Rocky Mercurius retains his welterweight title!