PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Theodore Mercado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josip Miocic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Theodore Mercado has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Mercado
vs
Miocic

219 cm
21
177 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
164 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Theodore Mercado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Josip Miocic!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Colin Fray and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miocic throws a head kick that misses
and Mercado counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Miocic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercado.
Miocic misses with the combination.
Mercado misses with the combination.
Miocic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Mercado slips a jab and a cross from Miocic.
Miocic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miocic fails to land with a series of punches.
Miocic misses with a few strikes there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mercado.
Miocic throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miocic throws a right and a left that Mercado avoids nicely.
Mercado really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Miocic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mercado counters with a two punch combo.
Miocic looks winded!
Miocic tries to bum rush Mercado with a series of wild strikes but Mercado uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Miocic misses with a double jab
and Mercado counters with a two punch combo.
Mercado throws a jab but it's blocked by Miocic.
Josip Miocic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Miocic misses with a wild combination.
Miocic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mercado manages to avoid it.
Miocic throws a right hand that Mercado ducks under and follows up with a left that Mercado also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miocic throws a body shot but no joy.
Mercado shoots in looking for a takedown but Miocic manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mercado's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mercado misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Theodore Mercado. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercado slips a jab and a cross from Miocic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miocic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Miocic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Miocic swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Miocic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Miocic throws a series of punches but Mercado moves out of range.
Miocic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No joy there for Miocic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mercado getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Miocic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mercado shoots in looking for a takedown but Miocic manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mercado's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Miocic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mercado.
Miocic misses with a double jab

and Mercado counters with a takedown into side control.
Miocic dodges the ground and pound from Mercado.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Miocic bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miocic throws a leg kick which misses Mercado's front leg but catches the back leg as Mercado tries to avoid it.
Miocic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Josip Miocic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mercado fails in his attempt to clinch.
Miocic misses with a series of wild punches.

Mercado closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Miocic's guard.

Mercado stands and steps away. Miocic gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Mercado feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Josip Miocic will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Left hook, right uppercut from Mercado.
Miocic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sloppy strikes from Miocic. Those never looked like landing.
A head kick by Miocic misses

and Mercado counters with a single leg into guard. Miocic didn't expect that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mercado gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Mercado slips a jab and a cross from Miocic.
Miocic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Miocic is breathing heavily.
Miocic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mercado.

Miocic tries to sprawl but Mercado drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miocic is trying to stand.
Miocic is looking for a sweep. Mercado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Miocic pushes Mercado off but Mercado dives into side control.

Mercado is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Miocic has escaped the position, nice work there.
Miocic tries to bench press Mercado off him but Mercado keeps the position.
Theodore Mercado overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Miocic wants to get back to his feet but Mercado is dominant here and he's now got Miocic's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miocic trying to get back to his feet but Mercado is in full control for now.

Mercado is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Miocic defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Mercado throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Miocic trying to get back to his feet but Mercado is in full control for now.
Mercado missing with punches from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Will Mercado go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Miocic trying to get back to his feet but Mercado is in full control for now.
Mercado wants to control but Miocic is keeping busy.
Mercado punishes Miocic with strikes from the back mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Miocic showing good submission defense here.
Mercado avoiding Miocic 's attempts to control his hands.
Mercado misses with an elbow to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Miocic is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Mercado has his opponent's back but Miocic is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Mercado.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theodore Mercado dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Miocic throws a series of punches but Mercado moves out of range.
Mercado checks a low kick from Miocic.
Mercado slips a jab and a cross from Miocic.
Mercado misses with a double jab.
Miocic looks to land a combination but Mercado avoids it well.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mercado or perhaps it was just good defense by Miocic, which made it look bad.
Miocic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercado.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miocic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercado moves away.
Miocic throws a head kick that misses.
Miocic throws a lazy body kick
and Mercado counters with a three punch combo that has Miocic backing up. Miocic nods at Mercado to acknowledge the strikes.
Josip Miocic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Miocic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miocic tries to bum rush Mercado with a series of wild strikes but Mercado uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mercado tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Miocic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Miocic leaves Mercado with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Miocic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mercado goes for a double leg but Miocic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Miocic continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Theodore Mercado. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miocic wants to get back to striking at distance but Mercado won't allow it.
Miocic trying to control the position but instead, Mercado has worked for underhooks and has pushed Miocic into the cage.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mercado is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Miocic to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mercado pulls Miocic into guard.

Miocic stands and steps away. Mercado gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mercado avoids a punch combination nicely.
A head kick misses from Miocic.
Mercado fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Danga de danga de dang - Miocic scores with a four punch combination!
Mercado fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mercado shoots in and drives through. Miocic sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miocic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A punch combination from Miocic misses.
Mercado dives in for a single leg takedown but Miocic sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Miocic is struggling to control the position.
Miocic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Miocic scores with a hook to the body.
Miocic has had enough of the clinch but Mercado keeps him there for the moment.

Mercado has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Miocic uses from the top position.

Miocic gets to his feet - Mercado follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miocic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Miocic misses with a wild combination.
A punch combination from Miocic misses.
Mercado looks to land a combination but Miocic avoids it well.
Miocic throws a right and a left that Mercado avoids nicely.
Miocic throws a head kick that misses
and Mercado counters with a three punch combo that has Miocic backing up. Miocic nods at Mercado to acknowledge the strikes.
Miocic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercado.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miocic misses with a series of wild punches.
Mercado throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josip Miocic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Miocic 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josip Miocic!