PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 1384 p4p, 166 weight class) and Deklek Sitsongrit (ranked 927 p4p, 110 weight class). 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.

Merlin
vs
Sitsongrit

170 cm
20
162 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

169 cm
28
163 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Forge Clothing Co.

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 6 - 2 - 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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Deklek Sitsongrit!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Ron Honeybunn and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Sitsongrit.
An attempted straight right counter from Merlin misses the target.
Sitsongrit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Merlin.
Deklek Sitsongrit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Merlin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sitsongrit momentarily.
Merlin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sitsongrit pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sitsongrit throws a hook but Merlin blocks it.
Merlin throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sitsongrit throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Merlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Merlin throws an overhand right that lands on Sitsongrit's shoulder, as Sitsongrit tries to avoid the shot.
And Sitsongrit responds with a good body kick, but Merlin manages to step out the way in time.
Merlin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice defenses there by Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sitsongrit lands with a good body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sitsongrit swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It looked like Merlin was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit misses with a body shot.
Merlin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Merlin lands with a good body shot.
Sitsongrit misses the jab.
Sitsongrit throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Merlin misses with a wild body shot.
Merlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit jabs Merlin to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Merlin feints and as Sitsongrit raises his hands in defense, Merlin changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Merlin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sitsongrit 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.

Merlin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Merlin pushing down on Sitsongrit's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sitsongrit is trying to get back to full guard.

Sitsongrit is defending against the submission attempts here by Merlin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sitsongrit really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Merlin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sitsongrit is not content to let Merlin control the position.

Merlin is trying for a kimura here. Sitsongrit looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Merlin wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). 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.