PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Richard Callaghan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Merik Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunt is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Comfortably Numb. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Callaghan
vs
Hunt

185 cm
38
185 lbs
36 - 18 - 3

175 cm
35
170 lbs
39 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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Hellbent

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 36 - 18 - 3, fighting out of Montreal, Richard Callaghan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 21 - 0, fighting out of London, Merik Hunt!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Atkins and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Callaghan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hunt's hands.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hunt.
Hunt misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Callaghan ducks under a wild hook from Hunt.
Hunt throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Callaghan stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hunt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Callaghan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hunt throws a jab when Callaghan was well out of range.

Callaghan takes the fight into the clinch.
Hunt misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt avoids a wild elbow strike from Callaghan.

Hunt breaks from the clinch.
Callaghan takes one to the chin there.
Nice defenses there by Callaghan.
Callaghan lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt swings for the body but Callaghan moves out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Hunt has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Callaghan ducks under a wild hook from Hunt.
Hunt takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Hunt throws a right and a left that Callaghan avoids nicely.
Callaghan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've been told by Callaghan's head coaches at Hey Steve's Fight Shack that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hunt shoots in but no luck this time.
Callaghan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Callaghan takes a swing at Hunt's ribcage but misses.
Hunt shoots in for a takedown but Callaghan shows good takedown defense.
It looked like Callaghan was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Richard Callaghan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Merik Hunt.
Callaghan walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hunt.
Callaghan throws a right and a left that both miss.
And Hunt tries to counter it with a takedown but Callaghan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hunt will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Callaghan thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hunt if he has to take too many more of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt closes the distance and clinches up with Callaghan, looking for a takedown. Hunt pushes Callaghan against the cage but Callaghan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hunt.
Callaghan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hunt throws out the jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Callaghan misses with a looping left.
Richard Callaghan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Callaghan walks forward, straight into a front kick from Hunt.
Callaghan is looking to clinch.
Nice body punch from Hunt.
The fighters circling - Hunt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hunt throws a good cross that connects.
Hunt throws a leg kick that misses.
A leg kick checked by Callaghan.
Hunt looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt throws a body shot but no joy.
Hunt throws a head kick that misses.
Callaghan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Callaghan tests Hunt's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A left lands for Hunt.
Callaghan blocks a jab.
A slow jab from Hunt misses its intended target.
Hunt scores with a nice strike.

Hunt shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Callaghan is trying to defend but Hunt finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hunt not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Callaghan trying to control here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hunt has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Callaghan tries to get to full guard but Hunt has control of the leg.
Hunt seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Callaghan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Callaghan wants to get back to full guard but Hunt has mounted him!
Callaghan sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merik Hunt dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hunt throws an overhand right that lands on Callaghan's shoulder, as Callaghan tries to avoid the shot.
Merik Hunt seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hunt ducks under a wild hook from Callaghan.
Hunt is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hunt throws a combination that misses
enabling Callaghan to counter with a crisp jab.
Hunt on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Callaghan lands a big head kick that sends Hunt tumbling to the mat! Callaghan takes a step backwards and waves Hunt back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Hunt is rocked!
Hunt walks right into a perfectly timed right hook and goes down hard! He's out cold! The ref cradles Hunt limp body while Callaghan jumps on to the cage and waves to the roaring crowd. Wow that was just a brutal knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Richard Callaghan!
Richard Callaghan seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.