PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Merik Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomi Atomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunt comes to the cage accompanied by Comfortably Numb. Atomi has chosen Stratovarius - Abyss Of Your Eyes as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Merik Hunt has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Merik Hunt seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Hunt
vs
Atomi

175 cm
33
170 lbs
34 - 15 - 0

191 cm
33
175 lbs
30 - 6 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hellbent

Bloodlust Horde Fightwear
Milwaukee's Best 160

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 34 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Merik Hunt!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tomi Atomi!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunt moves into range and connects with a jab.

It looks like Tomi Atomi has been cut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hunt, right into the meat.
Atomi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
We've been hearing reports that Hunt has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Atomi blocks a low kick nicely.
Hunt misses with a straight right.
Atomi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hunt showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Atomi.
Hunt misses with a straight left.

Hunt looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Atomi wants to control but Hunt passes easily into half guard.
Atomi is not content to let Hunt control the position.
Hunt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Atomi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atomi wants to improve his position but Hunt is controlling well.
Hunt slips a nice elbow through Atomi's hands, connecting with Atomi's forehead.
Hunt working the head and body with strikes.
Hunt not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Atomi trying to control but Hunt postures up.
Hunt trying to control the action but Atomi is working from the bottom.
Hunt missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Atomi tries to roll over but Hunt keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Hunt.
Atomi wants to get back to full guard.
Atomi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunt.
Nice strikes from Hunt there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Atomi is not content to let Hunt control the position.
Atomi is looking for a sweep. Hunt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hunt misses with a head shot. Atomi uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hunt throwing strikes from guard but Atomi blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Atomi looking for a sweep. Not yet Atomi, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt is in close to Atomi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hunt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hunt distracts Atomi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hunt distracts Atomi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hunt trying to control but Atomi is working from the bottom.

Atomi looking for subs off his back but Hunt has passed one foot through into half guard.
Atomi is not content to let Hunt control the position.
Hunt 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.
Hunt lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Atomi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hunt wants to control from the top but Atomi keeps moving.
Hunt working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Atomi's head.
Atomi controls Hunt momentarily but Hunt frees himself.

Atomi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hunt can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Atomi is trying to control the position but Hunt postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Atomi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hunt defends it easily.
Atomi looking for a sweep. Not yet Atomi, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merik Hunt dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tomi Atomi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hunt lands with an uppercut that bounces Atomi off the cage and back into range.
Atomi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hunt if he has to take too many more of those.
Hunt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Atomi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hunt slips under a jab from Atomi.
Atomi misses with a two punch combination.
Atomi drops his hands momentarily and Hunt takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Hunt looking to score a takedown here. Atomi is defending well but Hunt drives through and ends up in Atomi's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hunt looking to pass the guard.
Hunt trying to control but Atomi is working from the bottom.
Merik Hunt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hunt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hunt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Atomi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Atomi controls Hunt momentarily but Hunt frees himself.
Hunt postures up and lands a big shot to Atomi's brow.
Hunt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Atomi controlling the position.
Atomi is trying to keep Hunt in close.
Hunt might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Atomi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hunt defends well.
Atomi keeping moving, preventing Hunt from controlling successfully.
Atomi looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt wants to control from the top but Atomi keeps moving.

Atomi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hunt defends it easily.
Hunt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Atomi looking to control.
Atomi looking for a sweep. Not yet Atomi, not yet.

Atomi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hunt is aware though and is defending well.
Hunt throwing strikes from guard but Atomi blocks nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hunt wants to control from the top but Atomi keeps moving.
Atomi is trying to control the position but Hunt postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atomi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hunt haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hunt trying to control but Atomi is working from the bottom.
Atomi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hunt scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hunt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Atomi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Atomi has his foot on Hunt's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hunt works his way back into a safe position though.
Hunt advances position into side control!
Hunt misses with the ground and pound.
Atomi is looking to regain half guard here but Hunt keeps moving and retains side control.
Atomi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atomi can't do much from the bottom here.
Atomi is looking to regain half guard here but Hunt keeps moving and retains side control.
Hunt looks up at the clock and then as Atomi takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hunt smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hunt looks up at the clock and then as Atomi takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hunt smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Atomi is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hunt connects with a decent elbow.
Atomi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Atomi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hunt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hunt preventing the sweep.
Hunt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hunt landing some decent shots from guard.

Atomi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merik Hunt dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tomi Atomi's cut.
That's time! Hunt's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hunt blocks a leg kick.
Hunt pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hunt jabs Atomi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Atomi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hunt.
Hunt tries to clinch up but Atomi circles away and keeps his distance.
Hunt smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hunt throws a big shot that misses.
Atomi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hunt slips under a jab from Atomi.
Hunt waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Atomi.
Atomi takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atomi throws a wild body kick that Hunt sees coming a mile off.
Atomi throws a nice looking combination but Hunt bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hunt fails to land with a series of punches.
Atomi lands a glancing blow to the side of Hunt's head.
Hunt dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hunt uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Atomi.
Hunt scoring well with a low kick there.
Atomi throws a low kick but Hunt avoids it.
Hunt lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Atomi misses with an uppercut. Hunt saw that one coming.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hunt.
Atomi takes one to the chin there.
Atomi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hunt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atomi misses with a hook.
Hunt looks to throw the jab but Atomi is out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hunt.
Atomi tries a low kick but Hunt avoids it.
Merik Hunt is winning the standup battle so far.
Atomi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Atomi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hunt manages to avoid it.
Atomi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hunt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Atomi is fending him off so far but Hunt persists. Nope, Atomi circles away and we're back to standing.
Hunt swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hunt lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Atomi. Those never looked like landing.
Atomi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Hunt or perhaps it was just good defense by Atomi which made him look bad.
Merik Hunt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atomi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice defenses there by Hunt.
Atomi misses with a leg kick.
Hunt scoring well with a low kick there.
Hunt misses with a double jab

and Atomi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Atomi is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Atomi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hunt defending well though.
Atomi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Atomi is looking for a kimura but Hunt is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Atomi to get the leverage.
Atomi looks to land a strike but Hunt avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hunt controlling Atomi's posture.
Atomi tries to free his leg and advance position but Hunt is retaining full guard.
Atomi throws a big elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Atomi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Atomi throws a big elbow that misses.
Atomi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Merik Hunt did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Tomi Atomi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Atomi lands a high kick!
Atomi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Atomi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Atomi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hunt on the side of the head.
Hunt throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Atomi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Atomi is looking to take a break and control but Hunt is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Atomi throwing shots but Hunt is blocking nicely.
Atomi uses his free foot to push down on Hunt's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hunt.
Atomi punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atomi with a couple of short strikes.
Atomi lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hunt really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Atomi working the ground and pound effectively.
Hunt tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Atomi lands a couple of good shots and Hunt has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Atomi controls the position.
Atomi throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Atomi misses with an elbow to the head.
Hunt is in bad spot here.
Hunt wriggles onto his back under a barage of strikes.
Hunt blocking the ground and pound.
Hunt manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by Hunt, under a barage of strikes from Atomi.
Atomi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atomi is trying to control the action in half guard but Hunt is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Atomi wants to advance to full mount but Hunt doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Hunt is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Atomi trying to control here.
Atomi manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hunt stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Atomi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Atomi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Atomi keeping moving, preventing Hunt from controlling successfully.

Atomi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hunt doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hunt manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt wants to control from the top but Atomi keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomi Atomi dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Tomi Atomi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Atomi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nice straight punches there by Atomi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Atomi.
Atomi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hunt crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Atomi - the referee stops the clock and Hunt gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Atomi. Hunt manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Atomi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Atomi cracks Hunt with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hunt throws a body punch but Atomi moves out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hunt, as that shot connected.
Atomi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hunt bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atomi tried to score with a low kick but Hunt checks it.
Hunt throws a leg kick which misses Atomi's front leg but catches the back leg as Atomi tries to avoid it.
Atomi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hunt attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hunt cracks Atomi with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Atomi cracks Hunt with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hunt punishes Atomi's body with a nice straight punch.
Atomi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Atomi thumps Hunt with a low kick.
Atomi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hunt scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hunt misses with a body kick.
Hunt shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Atomi pinned against the cage. Atomi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atomi jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Atomi throws a shot from downtown. Hunt moves away and avoids it.
Atomi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Atomi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hunt's head.
Hunt is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Atomi.
Atomi connects with the punch.
Atomi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tomi Atomi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hunt's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hunt duly obliges.
Nice uppercut lands for Atomi. That snapped Hunt's head back.
Atomi moves out of range as Hunt strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atomi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hunt checks it well.

Hunt looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hunt lands a couple of elbows.
Hunt connects with a couple of short punches.
Hunt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Atomi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hunt.

Atomi working for submissions but it's allowed Hunt to get to half guard.
Hunt is stalling here. Atomi is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Hunt seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Atomi has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Atomi throws a strike aimed at the side of Hunt's head but Hunt avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Atomi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hunt regains half guard, as Atomi was trying to land strikes.
Still in half guard, Atomi seems content to control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt wants to improve his position but Atomi is controlling well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tomi Atomi.
Well Hunt has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 48:47
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merik Hunt!
Merik Hunt retains his welterweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Merik Hunt thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.