PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Martinez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stu Mercer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Martinez comes to the cage accompanied by Country Grammar. Mercer comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Dirty deeds done dirt cheap AC/DC kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Martinez
vs
Mercer

195 cm
22
280 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

190 cm
23
252 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great low kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

SP Ultimate Nutrition

Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tommy Martinez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Stu Mercer!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercer blocks a head kick by Martinez.

Mercer has managed to clinch.

Martinez is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mercer is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Martinez to the mat. Martinez regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Martinez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mercer is one step ahead there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Martinez is on top in guard.
Martinez prevents Mercer from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martinez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Martinez trying to control the action but Mercer is working from the bottom.

Martinez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Mercer has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Martinez tries to move into full mount but can't pass Mercer's legs.
Martinez trying to control the position but Mercer is working away.

Martinez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercer is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Martinez misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Martinez moves into full mount!
Martinez trying to control but Mercer is having none of it.
Martinez misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Martinez jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Mercer is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Mercer and Martinez has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Martinez looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Martinez tries for a kimura but Mercer is defending well.
Martinez trying to control the action but Mercer is working from the bottom.

Martinez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mercer knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mercer sneaks out the side door and pushes Martinez away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Mercer listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Martinez throws a head kick but Mercer moves out of range.

Mercer has taken the fight to the clinch.
Come on Mercer - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mercer lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Martinez or not.
Martinez is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Martinez prevents Mercer from breaking the clinch.

Mercer tightens his grip and picks Martinez up, before dumping him to the ground. Martinez manages to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Stu Mercer will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mercer gets the takedown into side control.
Martinez tries to improve position but can't.
Mercer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Martinez keeps working.

Mercer looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mercer really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Martinez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Martinez is being controlled here.

Mercer stands up.
Stu Mercer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Martinez scores with a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Martinez throws a lazy right hand but Mercer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Martinez punishes Mercer's body with a nice straight punch.
Mercer is breathing heavily.
Martinez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mercer.
Martinez misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer misses with a low kick.
Tommy Martinez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mercer ducks under a wild hook from Martinez.
Mercer blocks a head kick by Martinez.
Mercer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A head kick by Martinez misses

and Mercer counters with a takedown into side control.
Martinez takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Mercer tries to score with some ground and pound. Martinez controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Martinez is looking to regain half guard here but Mercer keeps moving and retains side control.
Martinez is not content to let Mercer control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Martinez tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mercer decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Martinez connects with a single shot there.

It looks like Stu Mercer has been cut.
A slow jab from Martinez misses its intended target.
A head kick misses from Martinez.

Martinez gets tackled into the cage by Mercer. Mercer maintains the clinch.
Martinez holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Mercer gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Martinez regains guard.
Martinez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mercer landing with the ground and pound.
Mercer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mercer postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez trying to control the position.
Mercer trying to control but Martinez is working from the bottom.
Stu Mercer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Martinez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Martinez takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Mercer manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Martinez keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Mercer lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Martinez is looking for a sweep. Mercer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Martinez is not content to let Mercer control the position.
Martinez trying to hold on to Mercer's head to control him but Mercer postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Martinez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Martinez.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mercer passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Mercer scoring with punches from side control.

Mercer decides to stand back up.
Martinez lands with a kick to the temple. Mercer shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Tommy Martinez is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Martinez throws a poor cross that misses

and Mercer counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Martinez moves into full guard.
Martinez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Stu Mercer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Stu Mercer's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A combination from Mercer does no damage.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Mercer. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Martinez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mercer.
Martinez sizes up Mercer with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Martinez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Martinez 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 works over Martinez's head and body with a nice combination.
Martinez throws a head kick that half lands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Martinez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mercer throws a head kick but Martinez moves out of range.
Mercer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Martinez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Martinez.
Martinez throws a sloppy head kick and Mercer moves out of range easily.
Martinez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Mercer decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mercer scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Martinez.
Martinez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mercer postures up in Martinez's guard and throws a big left but Martinez blocks it.

Mercer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Martinez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mercer has managed to get both his arms back between Martinez's legs - danger averted.

Mercer stands up from Martinez's guard - Mercer perhaps looking for a knockout.

Martinez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Mercer to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mercer decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martinez throws a sloppy head kick and Mercer moves out of range easily.

Mercer shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
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!
Martinez wants to improve his position but Mercer is controlling well.

Mercer postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Martinez to stand up.
Tommy Martinez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Martinez misses the shot to the body.
Martinez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Martinez throws the left hand but Mercer avoids the punch easily.
Martinez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mercer is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Mercer bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer working away.
Mercer working the ground and pound from side control.
Martinez taking a bit of punishment here - Mercer scoring with strikes.
Martinez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Martinez gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Martinez won't allow Mercer to pass to mount.

Mercer postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Martinez to stand up.
Mercer blocks a head kick by Martinez.
Mercer keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Martinez pulls out of a head kick attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mercer breaks the clinch.
Martinez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Martinez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tommy Martinez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mercer throws a right and a left that both miss.

Mercer moves into the clinch.

Mercer has Martinez pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Mercer pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Martinez tumbling to the mat - Mercer dives into Martinez's guard.
Martinez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mercer is one step ahead there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mercer throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stu Mercer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mercer 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stu Mercer!
Stu Mercer really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry) logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.