PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 755 p4p, 88 weight class) and Evan Page (ranked 1032 p4p, 129 weight class). Evan Page has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Merlin
vs
Page

170 cm
20
162 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

170 cm
20
155 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xavier Merlin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Evan Page!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Winston Howard and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Page missing with a left hand there. Merlin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Page avoids the body shot from Merlin.
Merlin ducks under a wild hook from Page.
Merlin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Page.
We've been hearing reports that Merlin has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Page throws a big shot that misses.
A big left from Page misses.
Merlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Page moves away.
Page gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Merlin. Page does a little dance to reset his feet.
Merlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Page is just out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Page! But no joy.
Page will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Merlin half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Page lands a really nice looking cross but Merlin seems unphased.

Merlin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Page's half guard.
Merlin is looking to advance position but Page won't allow it.
Page holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Page tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.

Merlin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Page defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Page wants to get back to his feet.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Page is working away.
Page wants to get back to his feet.
Page won't allow Merlin to pass to mount.

Merlin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Page can do anything to dispel that myth.
Merlin wants to free his trapped foot but Page is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin is thwarting Page's attempts to control the position.
Merlin is keen to just control but Page is a slippery customer.

Merlin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Page is just riding it out for now. Merlin eventually gives up the hold.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Page is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Merlin is trying to work for a kimura but Page is defending well.

Page is defending against the submission attempts here by Merlin.

Merlin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Page doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Merlin.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Xavier Merlin!
Xavier Merlin is the new lightweight champion!
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.