PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Keon Fazeli (ranked 3839 p4p, 422 weight class) and Xavier Merlin (ranked 2799 p4p, 331 weight class). Fazeli comes into the arena with All Of The Lights blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fazeli
vs
Merlin

180 cm
21
155 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

170 cm
20
162 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Forge Clothing Co.
Urban Fighter

Forge Clothing Co.
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 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Keon Fazeli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Chris Dean and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fazeli closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fazeli lands in his opponent's guard.
Merlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Fazeli got a little sloppy there for a moment and Merlin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fazeli has managed to get both his arms back between Merlin's legs - danger averted.
Merlin wants to sweep here but Fazeli controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fazeli pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Merlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Merlin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Merlin throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Fazeli escapes and throws Merlin's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Fazeli tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fazeli thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Merlin is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Fazeli's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Fazeli is looking for a kimura but Merlin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fazeli to get the leverage.
Fazeli wants to free his trapped foot but Merlin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Fazeli is trying to control. Merlin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've been hearing that Fazeli has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Merlin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fazeli pulls his head out easily.
Merlin tries to get to full guard but Fazeli has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Fazeli wants to pass to mount but Merlin is defending the position.
Fazeli is just content to waste time from the top position. Merlin takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Fazeli stopping the sweep attempt from Merlin.
Merlin seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fazeli passes into half guard.
Merlin is not content to let Fazeli control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fazeli is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Merlin is just riding it out for now. Fazeli eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are battling for position here. Merlin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Merlin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fazeli is aware though and is defending well.
Merlin is adopting a defensive guard.
Merlin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fazeli's guard.

Merlin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Fazeli keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fazeli is keeping the position for now.
Fazeli tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fazeli bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Merlin's guard.

Merlin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fazeli looking to pass the guard.
Fazeli trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin trying to keep a closed guard but Fazeli is proving a slippery customer.
Fazeli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
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 Keon Fazeli will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Merlin throws a jab when Fazeli was well out of range.
A shot to the liver by Merlin. Beautiful body shot.
Merlin misses with a straight right.
Merlin scores with a nice strike.
Fazeli blocks a jab.
Fazeli shoots in looking for a takedown but Merlin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fazeli's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Merlin feints a jab promting Fazeli to slip. Merlin then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Fazeli slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A nice leg kick lands there from Merlin.
Fazeli shoots in and drives through. Merlin sprawls well.
Fazeli shoots for a double leg takedown but Merlin sprawls well. He's pushed Fazeli's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keon Fazeli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fazeli dives in for a single leg takedown but Merlin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Merlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fazeli takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fazeli shoots and misses
and Fazeli takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fazeli wants to clinch up but Merlin keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fazeli takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Fazeli throws a hook but Merlin blocks it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fazeli is defended easily by Merlin.
Donk. Merlin catches Fazeli right on the button with a cross.
Merlin throws out a powerful jab.

Merlin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Merlin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fazeli has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fazeli trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Keon Fazeli overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the position.
Fazeli preventing the sweep.

Merlin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fazeli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Merlin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Fazeli trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the position.
Fazeli is looking to pass into half guard but Merlin pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Merlin is in guard.

Merlin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Merlin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fazeli wants to stand but Merlin is controlling the position.
Merlin passes Fazeli's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Merlin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Fazeli is just riding it out for now. Merlin eventually gives up the hold.
Merlin wants to control but Fazeli is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fazeli is trying to get back to full guard.

Merlin seems to be looking for submissions.
Merlin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Fazeli!
Merlin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Fazeli looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Merlin has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Fazeli's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Merlin 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!

Merlin tries to clinch up.
Fazeli goes for a double leg but Merlin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Merlin continues to drive forward.
A countering left hand to the body from Merlin misses.
Fazeli fails with a takedown attempt.
Fazeli slips under a jab.
Fazeli changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Merlin misses with a hook.
Fazeli ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Merlin lands with a shot to the body.
Merlin thuds his right hand into Fazeli's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Merlin misses with an uppercut

so Fazeli counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Merlin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fazeli trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fazeli passes Merlin's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Fazeli.
Fazeli wants to pass the guard but Merlin is defending well.

Merlin looking for submissions off his back.
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
Fazeli throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Merlin to regain full guard.
Merlin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Merlin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fazeli sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the pace.
Merlin is trying to control. Fazeli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fazeli wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Fazeli looks like he's trying to stand up.
Merlin is trying to control the action in half guard but Fazeli is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Merlin is controlling the pace.
Fazeli slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

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

Fazeli pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Merlin trying to keep a closed guard but Fazeli is proving a slippery customer.

Merlin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fazeli defends well.

Merlin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merlin is looking for a triangle but Fazeli pushes his legs off easily.
Merlin keeping full guard, as Fazeli tries to pass.
Merlin trying to keep a closed guard but Fazeli is proving a slippery customer.
Fazeli trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fazeli scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Merlin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fazeli's guard.

Fazeli lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Xavier Merlin.
Well Merlin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Merlin!
An out of breath Xavier Merlin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Keon Fazeli spoke after the fight, saying 'Well this was dissapointing'.