PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 2816 p4p, 305 weight class) and Che Huu Mo (ranked 4004 p4p, 418 weight class). Xavier Merlin has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Merlin
vs
Huu Mo

170 cm
19
162 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
168 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

RISE Nutrition
Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xavier Merlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Che Huu Mo!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Ron Honeybunn and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mo avoids the body shot from Merlin.
A little jabbing left from Mo on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Merlin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Merlin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mo avoids it really well and circles away.
It seemed like Mo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Merlin avoids the body shot from Mo.
Mo throws a right hand that Merlin ducks under and follows up with a left that Merlin also avoids with ease.
Merlin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Merlin looks to throw the jab but Mo is out of range.
Mo misses with a looping left.
A counter left hand to the body from Merlin misses its target.
Mo lands with a good body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin defending well as Mo loads up on a big left hand.
Mo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Merlin throws out the jab.
Merlin just misses with a punch to the body.
Xavier Merlin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Merlin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Merlin misses with a wild combination.
A little jabbing left from Mo on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Merlin misses with a straight left.
Mo lands with a hook. Merlin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Merlin lands a jab.
Merlin jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Mo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Merlin is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Mo shoots in for a takedown but Merlin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Merlin jabs Mo right on the nose. Mo blinks but takes it well.
Mo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Merlin was well out of range. Poor timing from Mo.
Merlin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Merlin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merlin just misses with a punch to the body.
Merlin misses with a takedown attempt - Mo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merlin.
Mo throws a jab but it's blocked by Merlin.
Merlin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Merlin finds it's way round the side to connect with Mo's head.
Mo drops his hands momentarily and Merlin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Merlin jabs Mo right on the nose. Mo blinks but takes it well.
Merlin fails with a takedown attempt.

Mo shoots in and gets a takedown into Merlin's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mo tries to free his leg and advance position but Merlin is retaining full guard.

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

Merlin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Merlin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mo is aware though and is defending well.

Merlin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mo is fighting to break Merlin's control of his arms but Merlin is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Mo is stalling in the full guard.

Merlin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Merlin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Mo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
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 Xavier Merlin will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Merlin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Merlin throws a body punch but Mo moves out of range.
Mo slips a straight right by Merlin.
Mo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Merlin.
Merlin connects with a body shot that sends Mo's belly button to the back.
Mo ducks under a wild hook from Merlin.
Merlin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mo manages to avoid it.
Mo throws a looping overhand right but Merlin ducks down to avoid it.
Mo cracks Merlin 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.
Merlin lands a nice looking body shot.
Merlin misses with a straight left.
Merlin just misses with a punch to the body.
Merlin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Merlin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mo swivels and escapes.
Mo looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin cracks Mo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Merlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xavier Merlin is winning the standup battle so far.
Mo scores with the left hand. Merlin knows he should have avoided that one.
Merlin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Mo finds it's way round the side to connect with Merlin's head.
Merlin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Merlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Mo darts in looking for a takedown but Merlin gets double underhooks and turns Mo into the cage.
Merlin misses with a body shot.
Mo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Merlin circles away quickly and effectively.
Merlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Mo shoots in and bounces Merlin off the cage to secure the takedown into 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!
Mo sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Merlin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Let's hope that Mo has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Mo passes Merlin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to get back to full guard but Mo has mounted him!
Mo sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Merlin is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mo controlling from mount.
Merlin regains half guard.

Merlin looking for submissions off his back.
Mo wants to free his trapped foot but Merlin is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Mo.
Mo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Merlin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin is trying to keep Mo in close.
Mo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mo controls from within his opponent's guard.

Merlin throws his legs up looking for a submission but Mo uses it to pass to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Che Huu Mo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Merlin shoots for a double leg takedown but Mo sprawls well. He's pushed Merlin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Merlin blocks a jab.
Merlin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mo momentarily.
Merlin tries to bum rush Mo with a series of wild strikes but Mo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Merlin misses the shot to the body.
Mo throws a shot from downtown. Merlin moves away and avoids it.
Merlin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mo throws a hook but Merlin blocks it.
A counter left hand to the body from Merlin misses its target.
Merlin misses with a hook.
Merlin shoots for a takedown but Mo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mo moves away.
Merlin looks to land a left hand but Mo moved out of range nicely.
Merlin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mo.
Mo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A big left from Mo misses.
Merlin scores with a jab to the head.
Merlin scores with a decent looking hook.
Mo throws a jab but it's blocked by Merlin.
Merlin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Merlin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Merlin slips under a jab.
A jab from Mo does it's job there.
Merlin scores with a punch to the head.
Merlin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mo manages to avoid it.
Merlin just misses with a punch to the body.
Mo misses with an uppercut.
Merlin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Merlin misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mo cracks Merlin with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Mo throws a lazy right hand but Merlin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Merlin lands a nice looking body shot.
Merlin moves out of range as Mo strikes.

Merlin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Merlin is keen to just control but Mo is a slippery customer.
Mo wants to get back to full guard.
Mo trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.

Merlin is working for a kimura but Mo is defending it quite comfortably.
Mo tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
Mo has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mo moves into full guard.
Mo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Merlin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Merlin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mo is aware though and is defending well.
Merlin looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mo is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mo content to stall in guard here.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.
Mo wants to pass the guard but Merlin is keeping the position.
Mo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Merlin looking for a guillotine here but Mo defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Merlin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Merlin 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Merlin!
Xavier Merlin thanked the fans post fight for their support.