PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Gatsby (ranked 1573 p4p, 248 weight class) and Jack Merel (ranked 4435 p4p, 592 weight class). Merel has chosen Laura Tesoro - Higher as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gatsby
vs
Merel

178 cm
24
167 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

181 cm
22
177 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Nuggetori's Nutritionals
House of Valor

Urban Fighter
Nuggetori's Nutritionals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe Gatsby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Merel!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, John Roberts and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gatsby fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Merel to the ground. Gatsby is now in Merel's guard.

Merel is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Gatsby tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Merel breaks the clinch.

Gatsby feints and as Merel raises his hands in defense, Gatsby changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
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.
Merel lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

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!
Gatsby manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Merel manages to get himself to full guard.

Gatsby is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Merel is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Merel has escaped and now he's on top!

Gatsby working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merel looking to pass the guard.
Gatsby is trying to keep Merel in close.
Gatsby keeping moving, preventing Merel from controlling successfully.
Gatsby looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merel is one step ahead there.
Merel sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Merel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gatsby is keeping the position for now.
Merel trying to control but Gatsby is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby pulls Merel in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gatsby 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.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gatsby shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Merel sprawls well. Merel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gatsby gets slowly back to his feet.
Merel has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Gatsby is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Gatsby gets a double leg takedown into Merel's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby advances position into side control!
Merel takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Merel isn't going anywhere.
Merel really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gatsby. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gatsby working the ground and pound.
Gatsby scoring with punches from side control.
Merel is trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gatsby working the head and body with strikes.
Merel looking for a sweep but Gatsby has passed into full mount! Oh no!
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 Joe Gatsby will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gatsby fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gatsby throws a hook to the side of Merel's head but Merel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gatsby moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMerel.
Gatsby plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Gatsby throws a body punch but Merel moves out of range.
Gatsby closes the distance and clinches up with Merel, looking for a takedown. Gatsby pushes Merel against the cage but Merel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Merel gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Gatsby looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Merel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Joe Gatsby seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gatsby scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merel blocks a head kick by Gatsby.
Merel flicks out a counter leg kick but Gatsby steps away.
Gatsby shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Merel defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Merel. No joy for Gatsby on that attempt.
Despite the aggression on Merel's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Gatsby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gatsby connects with a crisp jab.
Merel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gatsby.
Merel tries a quick counter leg kick but Gatsby is wise to it.
Gatsby throws a half hearted mid kick.
Joe Gatsby is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gatsby.

Gatsby shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Merel is trying to defend but Gatsby finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Merel wants to stand back up but Gatsby manages to pass into side control.
Gatsby creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Merel sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby working the ground and pound from side control.
Merel is looking to reverse the position.
Gatsby is looking to take a break and control but Merel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Merel on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
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!
Gatsby trying to control the position but Merel is working away.
Merel takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Gatsby working the body and head with strikes.

Gatsby tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gatsby tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby trying to control the position but Merel is working away.
Gatsby misses with the ground and pound.
Gatsby has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gatsby cracks Merel with a big elbow.
Merel takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Gatsby wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Merel, who protects the arm well.
Merel struggling a bit here.
Gatsby fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Gatsby working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Merel down.
The ground and pound from Gatsby seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Gatsby is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Merel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gatsby working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Gatsby is chipping away with strikes.
Gatsby trying to control the position but Merel is working away.
Merel dodges the ground and pound from Gatsby.
Gatsby works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Gatsby wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Merel, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Gatsby dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Gatsby throws a right and a left that Merel avoids nicely.
Gatsby changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Merel tries to avoid it but Gatsby manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Merel to the ground. Merel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Merel throws a fast counter high kick but Gatsby manages to duck under it in time.
Gatsby tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Merel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gatsby dives in and grabs Merel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Merel pushes down on Gatsby's head and hops out.
No joy there for Gatsby, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Merel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Merel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Gatsby dives in and grabs Merel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Merel pushes down on Gatsby's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Gatsby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gatsby.
Merel tries a quick counter leg kick but Gatsby is wise to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gatsby misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Merel! But no joy.
Merel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gatsby to score with a decent uppercut.
Gatsby shoots in looking for a takedown but Merel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gatsby's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Joe Gatsby is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatsby lands a nice shot that snaps Merel's head back.
Gatsby changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Merel tries to avoid it but Gatsby manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Merel to the ground. Merel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Merel lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Jack Merel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Merel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gatsby.
A slow jab from Merel misses its intended target.
Gatsby shoots in and drives through. Merel sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Merel as Gatsby shoots in.
Gatsby misses with a few strikes there.
Gatsby tries to land a leg kick but Merel saw it coming and moves away.
Gatsby rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Merel counters with a two punch combo.
Gatsby shoots and misses
and Merel counters with a big head kick but Gatsby shrugs it off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Merel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Gatsby misses the target.
Gatsby fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
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!
Gatsby tries a head kick but it misses.
Merel shapes to counter with a head kick.
A slow jab from Gatsby misses its intended target.
Gatsby tries to score a power double leg takedown but Merel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gatsby somewhat.
Merel moves out of range as Gatsby strikes.
Gatsby misses with a straight left.
Gatsby throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Merel doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Gatsby throws a solid leg kick but Merel takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gatsby.
Merel unleashes a big counter combination but Gatsby bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Gatsby throws a jab when Merel was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Gatsby changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Merel looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Merel throws Gatsby to one side and escapes!
Merel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Merel wants it to stay on the feet.
Merel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gatsby appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Gatsby misses with a right hand
and Merel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jack Merel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
Gatsby shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Merel as he avoids it easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Merel.

Merel lands a big head kick that sends Gatsby tumbling to the mat! Merel takes a step backwards and waves Gatsby back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Gatsby is rocked!

It looks like Joe Gatsby has been cut.
Gatsby swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Merel makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Oh Gatsby is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Merel throws a head kick that misses.
Gatsby seems to have got his legs back now.
Gatsby looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Merel is fending him off so far but Gatsby persists. Nope, Merel circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gatsby shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Merel has Gatsby pulled in close to control his posture.
Gatsby wants to control from the top but Merel keeps moving.
Gatsby throws an elbow that misses. Merel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gatsby's guard. Nice move by Merel!

Gatsby controls Merel momentarily but Merel frees himself.
Merel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Merel wants to pass the guard but Gatsby is keeping the position.
Gatsby trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Merel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gatsby 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 Dean Styles scores the fight for Joe Gatsby!
Judge John Roberts scores the fight for Joe Gatsby!
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight for Joe Gatsby!

Joe Gatsby wins by unanimous decision!