PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Trae Mercer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Bildong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Mercer
vs
Bildong

151 cm
19
131 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Trae Mercer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Bildong!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bildong throws a combination that misses

and Mercer counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Bildong!
Mercer unloads with some shots from mount but Bildong bucks and avoids them well.
Mercer with good strikes from the mount here!
Bildong really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
A nice elbow there by Mercer.
Bildong is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Bildong tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mercer throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Bildong can't escape the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bildong is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bildong tries to hold on but Mercer postures up.
Bildong regains half guard.
Mercer 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.
Mercer wants to stand up but Bildong is controlling the position.

Bildong manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer fails in his attempt to clinch.
John Bildong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mercer shoots for a takedown but Bildong saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A head kick misses from Mercer.
Mercer misses with the combination.
Bildong lands with a straight right. Mercer didn't see that one coming.
Nice sprawl there from Bildong as Mercer shoots in.
Mercer shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bildong as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trae Mercer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercer is breathing heavily.
Mercer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bildong swivels and escapes.
Bildong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bildong throws a head kick but Mercer moves out of range.
Bildong misses with a low kick as Mercer jumps back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bildong throws a front kick that sends Mercer stumbling back into the cage.
Bildong lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercer's sensitive parts.
Mercer has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bildong.
Bildong goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Bildong lands a leg kick that knocks Mercer off balance momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bildong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bildong fails to land with a series of punches.
That kick from Bildong tenderised Mercer's leg. Mercer is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bildong throws a sloppy head kick and Mercer moves out of range easily.
Mercer stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bildong.
Mercer takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bildong lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Mercer walks forward, straight into a front kick from Bildong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bildong lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bildong.
Bildong connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mercer walks forward, straight into a front kick from Bildong.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bildong.
Bildong lands a front kick.
Mercer blocks a head kick by Bildong.
Bildong looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bildong is looking to slow Mercer down with leg kicks.
Bildong scores with a head kick. Mercer tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Bildong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bildong feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mercer's calf.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bildong lands a front kick.
Good leg kick by Bildong there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bildong throws a head kick that misses.
Bildong misses with an attempted mid kick.
John Bildong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bildong thuds his shin into the meat of Mercer's side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bildong displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Bildong throws a leg kick that misses.
Bildong fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bildong displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mercer takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mercer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bildong swivels and escapes.
Mercer takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bildong dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bildong lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Mercer is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bildong sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mercer fails to land the takedown.
Bildong connects with a nice looking jab.
Bildong scores with a kick to the midsection.
Bildong closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Bildong throws a right hand that Mercer ducks under and follows up with a left that Mercer also avoids with ease.
Bildong throws a series of strikes that have Mercer backpedaling.
Bildong cracks the inside of Mercer's front leg.
Mercer could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Mercer checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bildong throws a leg kick that is checked
and Mercer finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Bildong with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Trae Mercer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bildong thumps Mercer with a low kick.
Bildong throws a low kick but Mercer moves out of range easily.
Bildong lands a body shot.
Bildong misses with a wild combination.
Mercer steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Bildong. That one must have hurt.
Bildong bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Bildong fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mercer has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mercer tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bildong scores with a jab. Mercer acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Bildong. Mercer shrugs it off though.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bildong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bildong fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bildong sizes up Mercer with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mercer avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bildong lands a front kick.
Bildong lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Mercer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bildong can pounce on him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bildong thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Mercer if he has to take too many more of those.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bildong.
Bildong lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bildong just misses with a punch to the body.
Bildong throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bildong lands with a hook. Mercer tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Mercer shoots and misses
and Bildong counters with a flying knee. Nice.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trae Mercer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bildong connects with a high kick.
Bildong throws a low kick, looking for Mercer's leg but Mercer calmly moves out of range.
Bildong throws a head kick but Mercer moves out of range.
Mercer is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bildong sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mercer avoids the head kick by Bildong.
Bildong lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bildong.
Mercer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bildong swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bildong lets loose with a powerful body kick. Mercer will feel that in the morning.
Bildong scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bildong thuds his shin into the meat of Mercer's side.
Bildong has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bildong delivers a nice body kick.
Bildong throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercer.
Mercer tries for a takedown but Bildong circles away easily
and Bildong counters with a thumping low kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bildong swinging wildly here.
Mercer is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mercer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bildong paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bildong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bildong misses with a double jab

so Mercer counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mercer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bildong looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bildong utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mercer won't allow Bildong to sweep him here.
Bildong is adopting a defensive guard.

Bildong has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mercer off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bildong misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer tries to clinch up but Bildong circles away and keeps his distance.
Bildong throws a solid leg kick but Mercer takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Bildong.
Mercer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bildong swats him away and circles back towards the center.
That kick from Bildong tenderised Mercer's leg. Mercer is trying to keep his angry face on.
No joy there for Bildong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bildong throws a leg kick but Mercer sees it coming and moves out of range.
Mercer shoots in but Bildong avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bildong lands with a slapping head kick.
Sloppy strikes from Mercer. Those never looked like landing.
Bildong throws a series of punches but Mercer moves out of range.
Bildong scores with a hook to the body. Mercer takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mercer will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bildong lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bildong.
Bildong is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Mercer on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bildong. Bildong obviously looking to wear him down.
Mercer shoots and misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Bildong stalks Mercer and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mercer's face. Mercer staggers backwards, shaken.
John Bildong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bildong looks for the body kick but Mercer saw that one coming.
Bildong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mercer avoids the head kick by Bildong.
Mercer tries to close the distance and clinch but Bildong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bildong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mercer.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trae Mercer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A cross from Bildong lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bildong wants to slow Mercer down by chopping away at his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer misses with a body kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bildong.
Bildong throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bildong scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Mercer shoots in for a takedown but Bildong shows good takedown defense.
Bildong throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mercer.
Sloppy strikes from Mercer. Those never looked like landing.
Mercer misses with a takedown attempt - Bildong sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mercer is looking to clinch.
Bildong lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mercer backs up against the cage.
Bildong throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer checks the leg kick nicely there.
Mercer fails with a takedown attempt.
Bildong lands a jab-cross combination.
Bildong is looking to land body kicks.
Mercer 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.
John Bildong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mercer drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bildong fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mercer has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mercer looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bildong throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Trae Mercer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bildong lets loose with a powerful body kick. Mercer will feel that in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Bildong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bildong winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Bildong!
John Bildong looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'yes! victory!'.