PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bua Khao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malcolm Merlin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Khao
vs
Merlin

192 cm
23
213 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
208 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
PED Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bua Khao!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Malcolm Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Dean Styles and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khao throws a wild body kick that Merlin sees coming a mile off.
Merlin lands a nice hook to Khao's body. Khao takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Khao lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Merlin checks a leg kick.
Khao throws a head kick but Merlin moves out of range.
Khao has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Odins Body Workshop in the buildup to the fight.
Khao bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Khao looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Khao throws a nice inside leg kick.
Merlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Khao misses with a hook
and Merlin counters with a nice uppercut.
Khao throws the left hand but Merlin avoids the punch easily.
Khao moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Khao.
Nice shot by Khao.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed right hand from Merlin misses the target.
Khao throws out a leg kick but Merlin moves out of range and Khao only half commits.
Merlin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Khao ducks under a wild hook from Merlin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khao scores with a shot to the body.
Merlin moves out of range of the strikes.
Khao throws a low kick, looking for Merlin's leg but Merlin calmly moves out of range.
Merlin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Khao throws a hook but Merlin avoids it easily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Merlin.
Merlin misses the shot to the body.
Khao stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Merlin moves out of range of the leg kick from Khao.
Merlin throws a combination that misses
and Khao counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Khao is looking to slow Merlin down with leg kicks.
A slapping body kick lands there for Khao.
Merlin scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Khao looks to score with a jab to the body but Merlin is just out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khao swings widly with a right hand
enabling Merlin to counter with a crisp jab.
Khao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin ducks under a wild hook from Khao.
Nice body kick from Merlin.
Khao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A little jabbing left from Merlin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Khao looks for the body kick but Merlin saw that one coming.
Khao misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A solid body kick from Merlin.
Khao throws a body punch but Merlin moves out of range.
Merlin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Khao doesn't seem bothered though.
Khao is breathing heavily.
Merlin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Khao takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Merlin throws a leg kick that misses.
Merlin moves out of range of the leg kick from Khao.
A punch combination from Khao misses.
Merlin cracks the inside of Khao's front leg.
Khao misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khao jabs Merlin right on the nose. Merlin blinks but takes it well.
The fighters circling - Merlin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Khao tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Merlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Merlin slips under a jab from Khao.
Merlin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Khao.
Khao cracks Merlin with a good jab.
Merlin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khao.
Merlin tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Merlin is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Khao rather than just go for the knockout.
Khao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Merlin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Khao tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Khao ducks under a wild hook from Merlin.
Khao feints and then cracks Merlin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Merlin down.

Khao moves into range and clinches up with Merlin.
Merlin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Khao.
Merlin misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin blocks an uppercut.
Khao struggles to land a body shot inside as Merlin controls his hands.
Khao lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Merlin stalling in the clinch.
Merlin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Khao is struggling to control the position.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A short uppercut from Merlin.
Merlin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Merlin tries to break free but Khao pushes him back against the cage.
Khao tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Khao tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Khao prevents a body shot from Merlin.
Khao working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Khao trying to stall but Merlin improves his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bua Khao dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Khao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Merlin misses with an uppercut. Khao saw that one coming.
Merlin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Khao's sensitive parts.
Merlin throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Khao's head.
Merlin takes one to the chin there.
Merlin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Merlin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bua Khao is winning the standup battle so far.
Merlin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Merlin goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Khao throws a hook but Merlin avoids it easily.
Merlin fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Khao has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Merlin misses with a right hand
and Khao counters with a good, hard body kick but Merlin shrugs it off.
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!
Khao misses with a hook. Merlin ducked under it nicely.
Khao throws an overhand right that lands on Merlin's shoulder, as Merlin tries to avoid the shot.
Khao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Khao on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Merlin. Merlin obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to land body kicks.
Khao uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Merlin.
Khao chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Merlin can pounce on him.
Nice shot by Khao.
Khao takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Khao misses with a left hand
and Merlin counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Khao.
Khao tried to counter with a leg kick but Merlin avoided it.
Merlin throws a hook to the side of Khao's head but Khao sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Merlin throws the kick towards the body but Khao avoids it.
Khao on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Khao throws the left hand but Merlin avoids the punch easily.
Khao uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merlin.
Merlin throws a sloppy body shot
and Khao counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Khao just misses with a punch to the body.
A thudding body kick lands there by Merlin!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khao looks to land a body kick but Merlin moved away.
Merlin doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Merlin scores with a nice strike.
Khao looks to score with a jab to the body but Merlin is just out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Khao.
Merlin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Khao doesn't manage to clinch there - Merlin circles away.
Khao misses with an attempted mid kick.
Merlin lands a high kick!
Khao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Merlin tries to work over Khao's front leg with a kick but Khao checks it.
Khao misses with a low kick.
Khao wants to slow Merlin down by chopping away at his legs.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Merlin.
A telegraphed right hand from Khao misses the target.
Merlin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Khao.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Khao.
Khao digs a good body shot into Merlin's ribs.
Merlin misses with a hook.
Merlin misses with a looping right.
Khao throwing a counter right hand but Merlin manages to avoid it.
Merlin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Khao manages to avoid it.
Khao is looking to counter with a body kick.
Merlin moves into range and connects with a jab.
Khao throws the left hand but Merlin avoids the punch easily.
Khao throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Khao throws a head kick but Merlin moves out of range.
Khao throws a looping overhand right but Merlin ducks down to avoid it.
Merlin blocks a jab.
Khao cracks the inside of Merlin's front leg.
Khao throws out a leg kick but Merlin moves out of range and Khao only half commits.
A head kick misses from Merlin.
Merlin moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin misses with a body kick.
Khao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Merlin.
Khao explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
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!
Merlin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Merlin misses with a wild body shot.
Merlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khao ducks under a wild hook from Merlin.
Merlin feints and then cracks Khao's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Khao down.
A slow jab from Merlin misses its intended target.
Merlin scores with a body shot.
Khao throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

so Merlin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Merlin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Khao keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcolm Merlin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Khao's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Khao moves into range and connects with a jab.
Khao lands a nice leg kick that just misses Merlin's sensitive parts.
Khao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Merlin manages to avoid it.
Nice straight punches there by Merlin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Merlin.
Khao slips a jab from Merlin.
Merlin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Khao. That did some damage!
Merlin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Merlin.
Merlin scores with a jab to the body.
Khao scores with a jab to the body.
Merlin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Merlin lands a jab to the head.
Khao throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Merlin works Khao's body with a nice hook.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Merlin wants to slow Khao down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Khao at a distance.
Merlin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Merlin lands a nice looking body shot.
Khao throws a body punch but Merlin moves out of range.
Khao throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little jabbing left from Merlin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Khao takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A punch lands to the side of Khao 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Merlin misses with a looping left.
Merlin misses with a low kick.
It looked like Khao wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Merlin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Khao manages to avoid it.
Merlin staying out of range there.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Merlin - that will leave a mark!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Khao, right into the meat.
Merlin scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like Bua Khao has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Merlin throws a jab when Khao was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin throws the kick towards the body but Khao avoids it.
It looked like Khao was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Merlin.
Merlin thuds a left hand into Khao's body.
Merlin throws a good cross that connects.
Merlin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Khao.
Khao throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Merlin throws an off balance right hand
and Khao connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Khao tries to land a leg kick but Merlin saw it coming and moves away.
Khao throws a predictable looking body shot
and Merlin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Khao just misses with a punch to the body.
Khao has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Merlin.
Khao ducks under a wild hook from Merlin.
Khao moves in looking to clinch but Merlin pushes him off.
Khao throws the left hand but Merlin avoids the punch easily.
Khao connects with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khao looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Khao moves out of range as Merlin strikes.
Khao staying out of range there.
Merlin drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Decent striking displayed by Khao there.
Khao looks to score with a jab to the body but Merlin is just out of range.
Merlin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Merlin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Merlin chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Merlin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Merlin walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Merlin connects with a nice looking jab.
Merlin keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Merlin throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Merlin. Khao shrugs it off though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin misses with a low kick.
Merlin connects with a body shot that sends Khao's belly button to the back.
Merlin misses with an uppercut. Khao saw that one coming.
Khao misses the jab.
Khao avoids the body shot from Merlin.
Khao misses with a looping right.
Khao looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Merlin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Khao's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Nice jab there from Merlin.
Merlin throws a shot from downtown. Khao moves away and avoids it.
Khao misses with a body shot.
Khao throws a body kick that misses.
Merlin throws a nice inside leg kick.
Merlin takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcolm Merlin really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bua Khao's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Merlin lands a head shot.
Khao misses with an attempted mid kick.
Khao steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Merlin.
Merlin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Merlin checks a leg kick.
Merlin wants to land a leg kick but Khao is out of range.
Khao moves out of range of the strikes.
A counter left hand to the body from Khao misses its target.
Merlin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Merlin takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Khao thows a left - swing and a miss!
Merlin throws out a counter right but Khao avoids it with no problem.
Khao tries a low kick but Merlin avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khao turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Khao throws out a loose jab but Merlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Merlin moves away.
Merlin tries a quick counter leg kick but Khao is wise to it.
Khao moves out of range of the leg kick from Merlin.
A cross from Khao lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khao throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A little jabbing left from Merlin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Khao blocks a leg kick.
Khao motions for Merlin to come forward. Khao throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Merlin ducks under a wild hook from Khao.
Merlin moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Merlin misses with the combination.

Khao gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Khao swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Merlin lands a body punch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Merlin working hard to break the clinch.
Khao swings wildly with an uppercut but Merlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right hook to the body lands for Khao.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Khao scores with a shot to the side of Merlin's head.
Khao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Merlin digs a right hand underneath Khao's ribcage. Khao let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short uppercut from Merlin.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Khao as Merlin tries to tie him up.
Merlin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Merlin lands with a short shot to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Khao as Merlin tries to tie him up.
Khao keeps control of Merlin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Merlin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Merlin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Khao has him pressed against the cage.
Merlin lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Khao lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khao misses with some punches.
Merlin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Khao misses with a punch on the inside.
Merlin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Khao blocking some punches.

Merlin breaks the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Merlin misses the target.
Merlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Khao.
Khao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Merlin.
Khao tries to land a body kick

and Merlin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Merlin postures up in Khao's guard and throws a big left but Khao blocks it.
Merlin throws a strike but Khao rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khao tries to free his leg and advance position but Merlin is retaining full guard.
Merlin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Khao looking to pass the guard.
Merlin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Khao manages to get himself to full guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merlin throws an elbow that misses. Khao uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Merlin's guard. Nice move by Khao!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Malcolm Merlin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Bua Khao's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Khao tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Merlin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Merlin.
Nice defenses there by Merlin.
Khao throws a jab but it's blocked by Merlin.
Khao slips under a jab from Merlin.
Merlin looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Merlin is looking to land body kicks.
Khao misses with an uppercut. Merlin saw that one coming.
Merlin dips to his left and cracks Khao with an uppercut!
Khao on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Merlin. Merlin obviously looking to wear him down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khao takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Merlin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Merlin slips a jab from Khao.
Khao lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Khao takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Merlin. Khao does a little dance to reset his feet.
Merlin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Khao's sensitive parts.
Merlin throws out a loose jab but Khao uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khao throws a leg kick but Merlin sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Merlin is looking to score with low kicks.
Khao staying out of range there.
Khao connects with a right hand. Merlin shakes it off.
Khao jabs Merlin right on the nose. Merlin blinks but takes it well.
A swing and a miss from Khao.
Merlin throws a sloppy head kick and Khao moves out of range easily.
A quick step to the side and Khao tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Khao rushes Merlin and presses him up against the cage.
Merlin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Khao.
Merlin has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Merlin lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to slow down the pace here.
Bua Khao has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Merlin manages to pull guard.
Khao has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Khao controls from within his opponent's guard.

Merlin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Khao can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Merlin is trying to keep Khao in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Merlin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Merlin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Khao sitting in guard here, content to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Merlin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

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.
Merlin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Khao works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Merlin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin throws a big elbow that misses.
Khao preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Merlin looks to land a body kick but Khao moved away.
A jab lands there for Khao.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Khao misses with a body shot.
Merlin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bua Khao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Merlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malcolm Merlin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Merlin 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 46:49
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 46:49
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malcolm Merlin!
Malcolm Merlin is the new light heavyweight champion!