PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tommy McKinney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Philippe Merchant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Philippe Merchant will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

McKinney
vs
Merchant

172 cm
23
134 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tommy McKinney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Philippe Merchant!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McKinney closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Merchant did well to prevent McKinney getting side control.
McKinney sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Merchant defending well though.
McKinney perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
McKinney tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Merchant looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Merchant tries to roll over but McKinney keeps him under control.
Merchant wants to control but McKinney is keeping busy.

Merchant looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Merchant looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Merchant trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merchant wants to improve his position but McKinney is controlling well.

Merchant actively working from the bottom here.

McKinney seems to be working for a kimura but Merchant defends the submission attempt.
McKinney is trying to control. Merchant wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
McKinney wants to pass to mount but Merchant is defending the position.

Merchant is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McKinney pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchant has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McKinney is working away from the top position though.

Merchant looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Merchant actively working from the bottom here.
Merchant gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merchant is trying to control the position but McKinney postures up.
McKinney might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McKinney is looking to stand up but Merchant won't let him.

Merchant is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McKinney tries to free his leg and advance position but Merchant is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchant is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McKinney trying to stand up but can't free himself from Merchant's guard.

Merchant has his foot on McKinney's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McKinney works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Merchant escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McKinney gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Merchant is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Merchant working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McKinney doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McKinney manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKinney sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Merchant's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McKinney prevents Merchant from improving his position.

Merchant actively working from the bottom here.
Merchant is looking for a sweep. McKinney is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Merchant is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McKinney pulls his head out easily.
McKinney is thwarting Merchant's attempts to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Merchant is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McKinney pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philippe Merchant dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McKinney throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Merchant was covering up waiting for the punch and McKinney finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Merchant has his foot on McKinney's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McKinney works his way back into a safe position though.
McKinney trying to control but Merchant is working from the bottom.

Merchant has his foot on McKinney's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McKinney works his way back into a safe position though.

Merchant is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Merchant trying to control the position.

Merchant working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because McKinney has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merchant manages to get to full guard.

Merchant looking for submissions from the bottom but instead McKinney passes into side control.
McKinney working away.

McKinney goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Merchant has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for McKinney but great work by Merchant.
McKinney is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchant tries to move into full mount but can't pass McKinney's legs.
Merchant has knee on belly momentarily but McKinney bucks him off and regains half guard.

Merchant is working for a kimura but McKinney is defending it quite comfortably.
McKinney wants to control but Merchant is keeping busy.

Merchant is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McKinney is trying to stand back up but Merchant is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKinney trying to control but Merchant postures up.

Merchant is looking for a kimura here.

Merchant is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McKinney defends it well.

Merchant is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed McKinney to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Merchant trying to control the position from guard on top but McKinney is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merchant slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Philippe Merchant has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKinney tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Merchant wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Merchant has an Americana. McKinney didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Merchant is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Merchant hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Philippe Merchant!
During a confident post fight interview, Philippe Merchant thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.