PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Danjie Mercado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tapda Mattus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mercado's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Pagsubok. Mattus is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by My heart. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mercado
vs
Mattus

168 cm
28
147 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

168 cm
28
145 lbs
12 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Danjie Mercado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tapda Mattus!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mattus feints and as Mercado raises his hands in defense, Mattus changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mercado tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercado bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mattus's guard.

Mattus working a defensive guard here.

Mattus looking for a guillotine here but Mercado defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mattus keeping moving, preventing Mercado from controlling successfully.
Mercado slips nicely into half guard.
Mattus wants to control but Mercado is keeping busy.
We've been hearing that Mercado has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mercado wants to pass the guard but Mattus is defending well.

Mattus is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mercado pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mattus is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mercado keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Mercado looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Mattus is trying to maintain the position but Mercado is very close to passing his half guard.
Mattus wants to control but Mercado passes into side.

Mercado is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Mattus has escaped the position, nice work there.

Mercado tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mattus tries to buck Mercado off but Mercado is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercado lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mattus down.
Mercado staying calm.
Mercado wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mattus keeps working.

Mercado looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mattus is looking to regain half guard here but Mercado keeps moving and retains side control.
Mercado grinds an elbow into Mattus's temple.
Mattus throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Mattus takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Mattus is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Mercado is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Mattus is trying to escape and Mercado transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Mattus is forced to tap! Nice work there by Mercado! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Danjie Mercado!
Danjie Mercado got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'