PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rusty Merritt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elazar Pantera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Elazar Pantera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Merritt
vs
Pantera

218 cm
24
151 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

171 cm
21
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rusty Merritt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Elazar Pantera!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pantera gets a double leg takedown into Merritt's guard.
Merritt is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Pantera prevents Merritt from getting back to his feet.
Merritt pulls Pantera in to control the position.
Pantera with a nice head shot there.
Merritt seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Pantera trying to control the position from guard on top but Merritt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merritt is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Pantera is looking to work some ground and pound but Merritt has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merritt looking for a sweep. Not yet Merritt, not yet.
Merritt will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Merritt keeping moving, preventing Pantera from controlling successfully.
Pantera preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merritt seems keen to control Pantera's posture.
Merritt has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pantera fails to land the takedown.
Pantera shoots in for a double leg but Merritt sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Merritt seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Merritt cracks Pantera with an open hand slap.

Pantera shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Merritt manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Merritt pulls Pantera in to control the position.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Merritt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pantera won't allow Merritt to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pantera with a nice head shot there.
Merritt avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pantera must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Merritt manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pantera manages to get himself to full guard.

Pantera wriggles free and stands up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Merritt looks to land a combination. Pantera sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Merritt shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Pantera is trying to defend but Merritt finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Merritt is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pantera is trying to stand.

Merritt is working for a kimura but Pantera is defending it quite comfortably.
Merritt stops Pantera from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Merritt stands up and beckons Pantera to join him on the feet.

Merritt throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pantera tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Merritt is in Pantera's guard.
Pantera throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Merritt's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pantera is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rusty Merritt 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.

Pantera shoots in looking for a takedown but Merritt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pantera's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pantera with a lazy takedown attempt
and Merritt cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Merritt rushes Pantera and presses him up against the cage.
Pantera has Merritt pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Merritt manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rusty Merritt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elazar Pantera.
Pantera is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Merritt pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Merritt wants a takedown but no success here.
Merritt stalling the fight.
Merritt doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pantera stops a takedown attempt from Merritt.

Pantera has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Merritt regains guard immediately.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pantera with a flurry of punches that miss.
Merritt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pantera is one step ahead there.
Pantera is breathing heavily.
Merritt is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merritt manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pantera manages to get himself to full guard.

Merritt thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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

Pantera shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Merritt's guard.
Merritt really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pantera trying to control the position from guard on top but Merritt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merritt is looking to stand up but Pantera isn't so interested in that idea.
Pantera stopping the sweep attempt from Merritt.

Merritt is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pantera defends well.
Merritt trying to control the position here.
Merritt lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Merritt prevents Pantera from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merritt gets to his feet. Pantera looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Merritt is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pantera sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Merritt stuffs the takedown.
Merritt is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pantera can do to turn this around?

Pantera looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Merritt is controlling Pantera's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Merritt manages to get to full guard.

Merritt has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pantera can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pantera stopping the sweep attempt from Merritt.
Merritt is controlling Pantera's posture.
Pantera with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rusty Merritt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pantera throws a big right hand that misses.
Pantera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pantera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pantera trying to control the position from guard on top but Merritt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pantera postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rusty Merritt dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Pantera shoots in and drives through. Merritt sprawls well.
As Pantera looks to move away, Merritt throws a big counter combo but Pantera just gets out of the way.
Pantera doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Merritt counters with a nice body shot.
Merritt looks for a takedown but Pantera sprawls well.

Merritt darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Pantera scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Merritt manages to mount him!
Pantera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merritt punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merritt controlling from the full mount.
Merritt with a couple of short strikes.

Merritt jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Pantera manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Merritt controlling the position from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Merritt in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Pantera is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rusty Merritt!
The defeated Elazar Pantera had this to say: 'I'll be back!'.