PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Malik Mercer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerhard De Lange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). De Lange has chosen Nemo as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Malik Mercer has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mercer
vs
De Lange

196 cm
18
217 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
210 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Malik Mercer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gerhard De Lange!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercer works De Lange's body with a nice hook.
De Lange moves out of range of the body kick.
De Lange looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
De Lange shoots in for a takedown but Mercer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
De Lange stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and De Lange wants it to stay on the feet.
De Lange closes the distance and clinches up with Mercer, looking for a takedown. De Lange pushes Mercer against the cage but Mercer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
De Lange has a takedown stuffed.
Malik Mercer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerhard De Lange.
Mercer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
De Lange tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mercer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mercer has his takedown stuffed
and De Lange counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mercer shoots for a takedown but De Lange saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mercer lands a jab to De Lange's midsection.
Mercer misses with a two punch combination.
De Lange throws a counter combo.
De Lange slips a jab and a cross from Mercer.
A nice side step and De Lange releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
De Lange tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mercer swats him away and circles back towards the center.

De Lange moves into range and clinches up with Mercer.

Mercer manages to break the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Lange fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Lange misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
De Lange shoots in for a double leg but Mercer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
De Lange lands with a cross.
De Lange stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and De Lange wants it to stay on the feet.
De Lange let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Mercer tries to bum rush De Lange with a series of wild strikes but De Lange uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mercer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
De Lange looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mercer is fending him off so far but De Lange persists. Nope, Mercer circles away and we're back to standing.
Mercer looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
De Lange throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mercer's waist but Mercer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing De Lange off to one side.
De Lange looks winded!
Mercer misses with a few strikes there.

De Lange fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mercer, pushing him back against the cage.
Mercer lands an elbow that stopped De Lange in his tracks for a moment.
A frustrated look appears on Mercer's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mercer trying to land knees to the body.
De Lange keeps control of Mercer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
De Lange has Mercer pressed against the cage, preventing Mercer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercer wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mercer tries to circle away but De Lange has him pinned against the cage.
Mercer tries a knee to the head but De Lange blocks it.
Mercer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
De Lange lands a left hand.
De Lange prevents Mercer from breaking the clinch.
De Lange has Mercer pressed against the cage, preventing Mercer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

De Lange breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from De Lange.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Lange misses the shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
De Lange scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
De Lange moves out of range of the strikes.
De Lange looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mercer is fending him off so far but De Lange persists. Nope, Mercer circles away and we're back to standing.

Mercer tries to keep at a distance but De Lange has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mercer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mercer misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from De Lange.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Lange lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

De Lange breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mercer stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mercer wants it to stay on the feet.

Mercer scores with a takedown into De Lange's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mercer is looking to work some ground and pound but De Lange has wrist control.
Mercer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
De Lange avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mercer tries to stand but De Lange is controlling from the bottom.
Mercer looking to pass the guard.
Mercer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer trying to stand up but can't free himself from De Lange's guard.
Mercer won't allow De Lange to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
De Lange shoots for a double leg takedown but Mercer sprawls well. He's pushed De Lange's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
De Lange closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mercer circles away.
A punch combination from Mercer misses.
De Lange misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mercer.
Mercer quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Mercer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mercer dodges the punch combination from De Lange.
A combination from Mercer does no damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mercer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by De Lange.
De Lange tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mercer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
De Lange tries to clinch up.
Mercer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from De Lange.
Mercer throws a big counter combination but De Lange scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malik Mercer dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mercer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De Lange.

De Lange moves into the clinch.
De Lange keeps control of Mercer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mercer tries to break the clinch but De Lange is controlling the position.
De Lange scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mercer has had enough of the clinch but De Lange keeps him there for the moment.
Mercer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that De Lange can do to turn this around?
Mercer tries to circle away but De Lange has him pinned against the cage.
De Lange lands a left hand.
Mercer connects with a nasty looking knee right to De Lange's face.
Mercer blocking some punches.
Mercer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mercer has had enough of the clinch but De Lange keeps him there for the moment.
A head punch on the inside from De Lange fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercer is trying to force a seperation but De Lange has the dominant position.
Mercer trying to land knees to the body.
De Lange misses with a shot to the kidneys.

De Lange escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch combination from Mercer misses.
De Lange circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Lange goes for a double leg but Mercer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Mercer continues to drive forward.
De Lange throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mercer's waist but Mercer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing De Lange off to one side.
Malik Mercer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerhard De Lange.
De Lange is breathing heavily.
De Lange fails to land the takedown.
Mercer throws a series of punches but De Lange moves out of range.
Mercer scores with a one two! De Lange had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mercer throws a nice looking combination but De Lange bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

De Lange drives through and clinches with Mercer against the cage.
De Lange avoids the elbow strike from Mercer, against the cage.
De Lange prevents Mercer from breaking the clinch.
De Lange has Mercer pressed against the cage, preventing Mercer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
De Lange fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
De Lange on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Mercer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
De Lange takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mercer connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed De Lange momentarily.
Mercer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
As Mercer backs off De Lange throws a huge counter combo but Mercer manages to avoid it all.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

De Lange has closed the distance and engaged Mercer in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Lange has Mercer pressed against the cage, preventing Mercer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
De Lange makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

De Lange breaks from the clinch.
Mercer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and De Lange counters with a one-two to the body.
Mercer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mercer looks to land a combination but De Lange avoids it well.
A punch combination from Mercer misses.
Despite the aggression on De Lange's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
De Lange shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mercer as he avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Mercer misses.
De Lange gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mercer counters with a series of strikes. De Lange will be more careful next time no doubt.

De Lange clinches with his opponent.
Mercer has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mercer tries a knee to the head but De Lange blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

De Lange manages to break the clinch.
Mercer throws a series of punches but De Lange moves out of range.
De Lange fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mercer avoids it really well and circles away.
Malik Mercer is winning the standup battle so far.
Mercer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
De Lange has a takedown stuffed.
De Lange slips a jab and a cross from Mercer.
Mercer displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
De Lange looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mercer is fending him off so far but De Lange persists. Nope, Mercer circles away and we're back to standing.
Some wild striking there from Mercer.
De Lange slips a jab and a cross from Mercer.

De Lange has closed the distance and engaged Mercer in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from De Lange fails to land.
A left hand lands to the body for De Lange.
Mercer is looking to break free of the clinch but De Lange has double underhooks.
De Lange working aggressively here.
Mercer tries a body shot but De Lange blocks it.
A right handed body shot lands from De Lange.
Mercer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Lange takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mercer wants to get back to striking at distance but De Lange won't allow it.
Mercer working hard to break the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by De Lange.
A quick uppercut on the inside from De Lange.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Mercer just misses with a elbow thrown towards De Lange's brow.
De Lange lands with a light punch inside.
Mercer is trying to break free.
De Lange lands with a short punch from the clinch.
De Lange gets through Mercer's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Malik Mercer will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Mercer lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Mercer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from De Lange.
Mercer swinging wildly here.

De Lange takes the fight into the clinch.
De Lange lands with a left to the head.
Mercer tries to break the clinch but De Lange is controlling the position.
De Lange has Mercer pressed against the cage, preventing Mercer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercer wants to break free but De Lange has control.
Mercer is trying to break the clinch but De Lange is controlling him.
A right hand to the body from De Lange.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
De Lange keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mercer's efforts to push away.
De Lange pushes Mercer back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Lange keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mercer's efforts to push away.
A quick uppercut on the inside from De Lange.
Mercer tries to break free but De Lange pushes him back against the cage.
De Lange makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for De Lange.

De Lange breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
De Lange slips a jab and a cross from Mercer.

De Lange darts in and clinches Mercer up against the cage.
Mercer tries to land a knee to the head but De Lange blocks with his arms.
De Lange scores with an uppercut up the middle.
De Lange lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mercer backwards.
De Lange lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mercer backwards.

Mercer is rocked!

De Lange breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Oh Mercer is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mercer doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Lange fails with a takedown attempt.
Mercer slaps away a takedown attempt from De Lange, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mercer seems to have got his legs back now.
Malik Mercer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerhard De Lange.
De Lange tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mercer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gerhard De Lange has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Lange shoots in and drives through. Mercer sprawls well.
Mercer throws a big counter combination but De Lange scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Mercer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from De Lange.
Mercer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from De Lange! But no joy.
Mercer goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
De Lange scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mercer doesn't seem bothered though.
Mercer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mercer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mercer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
De Lange throws a right hand that Mercer ducks under and follows up with a left that Mercer also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Mercer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
De Lange throws a series of punches but Mercer avoids them all with ease.
De Lange fails with a takedown attempt.
A solid body kick from Mercer.
Mercer works the jab nicely.
De Lange is looking to clinch.
Mercer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mercer throws a series of punches but De Lange moves out of range.
Mercer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but De Lange moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from De Lange is defended easily by Mercer.
It looked like Mercer was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer scores with a jab. De Lange acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
De Lange tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mercer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mercer fails in his attempt to clinch.

De Lange moves into range and clinches up with Mercer.
Mercer wants to break free but De Lange has control.
De Lange has a couple of punches blocked by Mercer.
Mercer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
De Lange blocks an elbow strike from Mercer.
Mercer can't break the clinch.
De Lange keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mercer's efforts to push away.

De Lange pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Malik Mercer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head kick misses from Mercer.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gerhard De Lange.
I think Mercer has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Malik Mercer!