PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Merritt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ulric Gaton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Merritt
vs
Gaton

158 cm
23
177 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

178 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pablo Merritt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ulric Gaton!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Taro Takaoka and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merritt tries to close the distance and clinch but Gaton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Merritt really is a fat lump.
Gaton misses with a head kick.

Gaton closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Merritt is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Merritt is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gaton connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Merritt some visible discomfort.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gaton has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Gaton clinches with his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gaton has picked Merritt up - he's going for a ride! Gaton dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Gaton performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Gaton wants to stand up but Merritt has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Gaton is trying to control the action in half guard but Merritt is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gaton not doing much here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Merritt actively working from the bottom here.
Gaton wants to take a breather but Merritt is having none of it.
Merritt might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ulric Gaton.
Gaton misses with a two punch combination.
Gaton pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gaton throws a head kick but Merritt moves out of range.

Merritt manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gaton on his heels. He'll look to pass Gaton's guard now, I'm sure.
Gaton is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
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!
Merritt with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Merritt throwing strikes from guard but Gaton blocks nicely.
Gaton looking for a sweep. Not yet Gaton, not yet.
Gaton looks winded!
Gaton utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merritt working some strikes from top position.
Merritt chips away with some ground and pound.
Merritt throws a big elbow that misses.
Merritt stopping the sweep attempt from Gaton.
Merritt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gaton wants to sweep here but Merritt controlling him for the moment.
Gaton utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Merritt throwing strikes but missing.
Gaton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merritt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gaton controls Merritt momentarily but Merritt frees himself.
Merritt postures up and lands a big shot to Gaton's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Merritt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gaton looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Gaton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gaton is working an open guard so Merritt takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Merritt fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gaton to the ground. Merritt is now in Gaton's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ulric Gaton will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Merritt shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Merritt showed some decent athleticism there.
Gaton wants to improve his position but Merritt is controlling well.
Pablo Merritt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Merritt blocks the strikes from Gaton.

Gaton is defending against the submission attempts here by Merritt.
Gaton is looking for a sweep. Merritt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gaton moves into full guard.
Merritt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gaton is looking for a triangle but Merritt pushes his legs off easily.
Gaton is breathing heavily.
Merritt connects with a couple of short punches.
Merritt scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gaton is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gaton controlling the action here.
Merritt tries to get to full guard but Gaton has control of the leg.

Gaton is working for a kimura but Merritt is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merritt wants to get back to full guard.
Gaton takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gaton winds up and cracks Merritt with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Merritt is looking for a sweep. Gaton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Merritt looking for submissions off his back.
Gaton is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merritt tries to get to full guard but Gaton has control of the leg.
Gaton wants to take a breather but Merritt is having none of it.
Gaton blocks the strikes from Merritt.
Gaton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Merritt defending well though.
Merritt punching from the bottom.
Gaton wants to take a breather but Merritt is having none of it.
Merritt is pressing down on Gaton's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gaton wants to control from the top but Merritt keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Gaton wants to stand but Merritt has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merritt is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Merritt working for a triangle but Gaton defends it easily.
Merritt keeping moving, preventing Gaton from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gaton wanted to stand there but Merritt had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ulric Gaton will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Merritt takes the fight into the clinch.

Gaton pulls guard.

Merritt decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gaton, up you get!
Pablo Merritt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gaton misses with a head kick.
Merritt tries to clinch but Gaton moves out of range.
Gaton gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Merritt counters with a series of strikes. Gaton will be more careful next time no doubt.

Gaton tries to sprawl but Merritt drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Gaton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gaton tries to kick Merritt off but Merritt keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merritt winds up and cracks Gaton with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Gaton actively working from the bottom here.

Merritt is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Merritt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gaton is just riding it out for now. Merritt eventually gives up the hold.
Merritt working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merritt missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Merritt working over Gaton with some ground and pound. Gaton looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gaton wants to get back to his feet.

Merritt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gaton is just riding it out for now. Merritt eventually gives up the hold.

Merritt is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gaton slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gaton looking for a guillotine here but Merritt defends easily.
Merritt with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Merritt working some strikes from top position.
Gaton working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Merritt.
Merritt won't allow Gaton to sweep him here.
Gaton working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Merritt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merritt is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Merritt connects with a couple of short punches.
Merritt is looking to work some ground and pound but Gaton has wrist control.
Merritt postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Merritt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Merritt postures up and lands a big shot to Gaton's brow.
Merritt throwing strikes from guard but Gaton blocks nicely.
Merritt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Merritt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Merritt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pablo Merritt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ulric Gaton is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merritt preventing the sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Merritt showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gaton has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ulric Gaton!