PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rhys Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elia Mercurio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rhys Edwards could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Elia Mercurio's chin.

Edwards
vs
Mercurio

180 cm
25
180 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

191 cm
26
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rhys Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Elia Mercurio!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edwards dives in and grabs Mercurio's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mercurio pushes down on Edwards's head and hops out.
It seemed like Mercurio was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Edwards uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mercurio.
Some bone on bone action there as Edwards checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Edwards appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Edwards has a takedown stuffed.
Elia Mercurio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Edwards fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mercurio avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rhys Edwards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercurio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Edwards feinted with a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good standup being displayed there by Mercurio as he connects with a hook.
Mercurio attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Mercurio lands with a right hand.
Mercurio lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mercurio takes a swing at Edwards's ribcage but misses.
Edwards looks for a takedown but Mercurio sprawls well.
Mercurio tries to land a body kick

and Edwards counters with a single leg into guard. Mercurio didn't expect that.

Edwards thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mercurio can do anything to dispel that myth.
Edwards pushes down on Mercurio's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Edwards stalling away here and it's allowed Mercurio to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Edwards stopping the sweep attempt from Mercurio.
Mercurio keeping full guard, as Edwards tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercurio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Edwards is really struggling to control Mercurio but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mercurio scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Mercurio closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Mercurio.
Mercurio works over Edwards's head and body with a nice combination.
Mercurio listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Edwards half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Mercurio stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mercurio scores with a jab.
Mercurio jabs at Edwards's body.
Mercurio lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mercurio looks to land a combination but Edwards avoids it well.
Mercurio scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Elia Mercurio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Edwards takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mercurio swings for the body but Edwards moves out of range.
Edwards takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mercurio scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four 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!
Mercurio misses with a wild body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mercurio, as that shot connected.
Edwards on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mercurio scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mercurio connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Edwards momentarily.
Edwards misses with a takedown attempt
and Mercurio makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Edwards is breathing heavily.
Mercurio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Edwards moves away.
Edwards shoots in but Mercurio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mercurio has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Edwards will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mercurio lands with a straight right. Edwards didn't see that one coming.
Edwards has his takedown stuffed
and Mercurio counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elia Mercurio dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mercurio lands a big right hand that sends Edwards crashing to the mat! Mercurio stays standing though and waves Edwards back to his feet!

Edwards is rocked!
Edwards's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mercurio connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Edwards scrambles back to his feet.
Oh Edwards is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Edwards takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Edwards seems to have got his legs back now.
A leg kick checked by Edwards.
Edwards half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Mercurio takes a swing at Edwards's ribcage but misses.
Edwards tries to counter with a takedown but Mercurio is quick to defend against it.
Mercurio takes a swing at Edwards's ribcage but misses.
Edwards half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A combination from Mercurio does no damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice sprawl there from Mercurio as Edwards shoots in.
Mercurio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Edwards counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Edwards wants to control from the top but Mercurio keeps moving.
Mercurio has Edwards pulled in close to control his posture.

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

Mercurio missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mercurio keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Edwards's head.
Mercurio content to stall in guard here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Edwards holds on and takes a little breather.
Mercurio works over Edwards with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercurio is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Edwards is on top in guard.

Mercurio wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercurio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercurio manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Edwards manages to get himself to full guard.

Mercurio working some strikes from top position.
Edwards might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Edwards trying to keep a closed guard but Mercurio is proving a slippery customer.
Mercurio sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Edwards is trying to keep Mercurio in close.

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.
Mercurio has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mercurio scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mercurio trying to control the position from guard on top but Edwards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mercurio sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mercurio scores with a sloppy right hand. Edwards should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elia Mercurio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Mercurio lands a nice shot to the body.
Edwards slips a jab and a cross from Mercurio.
Donk. Mercurio catches Edwards right on the button with a cross.
Mercurio stuffs the takedown.
Mercurio is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The crowd cheers as Mercurio lands an impressive looking overhand right. Edwards doesn't seem phased though.
Mercurio throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Edwards feinted with a counter takedown.
Edwards dives in for a single leg takedown but Mercurio sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Elia Mercurio seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mercurio cracks Edwards with a right hand to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Oooooh!!! Mercurio has knocked Edwards down with a huge combo! Mercurio steps away and waves a wobbly Edwards back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Edwards with a poor takedown
and Mercurio scores with a counter punch that sends Edwards to the canvas! Mercurio smells blood - he's punishing Edwards with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Edwards has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Elia Mercurio!
Elia Mercurio seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Rhys Edwards spoke after the fight, saying 'i would have to work harder than this. i truely deserved to lose today my opponent was juse too good'.