PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alex Mercer (ranked 3281 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy McLarnin (ranked 4227 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Mercer
vs
McLarnin

184 cm
42
182 lbs
32 - 24 - 0

182 cm
36
183 lbs
18 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Great elbows
Powerful

Sin City Allstars

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 32 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex Mercer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Jimmy McLarnin!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Eliza Hachem and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercer slips a jab from McLarnin.
Mercer fails to land with a series of punches.
McLarnin tries to clinch there but Mercer circles away.
Mercer throws a right hand that misses
and McLarnin counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Alex Mercer has been cut.
Mercer lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mercer changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
McLarnin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McLarnin scores with a shot to the body.

Mercer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that McLarnin has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Mercer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
McLarnin wants a takedown but no success here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mercer.
Mercer is looking to break free of the clinch but McLarnin has double underhooks.
Mercer is trying to pull guard but McLarnin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mercer scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer has a couple of punches blocked by McLarnin.
Mercer goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McLarnin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mercer avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McLarnin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Alex Mercer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy McLarnin.

Mercer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McLarnin is defended easily by Mercer.
Mercer shoots in looking for a takedown but McLarnin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mercer's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mercer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mercer has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Far-Q Fight Club in the buildup to the fight.
McLarnin tries to bum rush Mercer with a series of wild strikes but Mercer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mercer is looking to counter punch.
McLarnin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mercer throws a sloppy body shot
and McLarnin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mercer, as that shot connected.
Mercer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mercer throws a combination that misses
and McLarnin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Mercer shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McLarnin's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McLarnin trying to control the position.
Mercer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McLarnin is keeping the position for now.
Mercer wants to stand but McLarnin has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
McLarnin is looking to stand up but Mercer isn't so interested in that idea.
Mercer controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McLarnin scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Mercer takes the fight into the clinch.
Mercer working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Mercer pulls McLarnin into guard.
McLarnin looking to pass the guard.
Mercer wants to stand but McLarnin is controlling the position.
Mercer keeping moving, preventing McLarnin from controlling successfully.
Mercer is controlling McLarnin's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLarnin postures up in Mercer's guard and throws a big left but Mercer blocks it.
McLarnin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McLarnin stands and throws Mercer's legs to the side, diving into side control.
McLarnin working away.
McLarnin misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Mercer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mercer is trying to control McLarnin's posture but McLarnin avoids it.
McLarnin scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Mercer to see if he's OK.
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 Alex Mercer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alex Mercer's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mercer drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mercer seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
McLarnin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McLarnin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mercer is one step ahead there.
Mercer engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McLarnin looking to control.
McLarnin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mercer controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLarnin is trying to control the position but Mercer postures up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Mercer looking to pass the guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mercer moves out of range of the leg kick from McLarnin.
The fighters circling - Mercer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McLarnin wants to counter the offense by Mercer and move into the clinch position.
Mercer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McLarnin's waist but McLarnin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mercer off to one side.
Mercer on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McLarnin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mercer misses the shot to the body.
Mercer scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mercer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mercer throws a sloppy body shot
and McLarnin counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Mercer throws a left and a right that both miss
and McLarnin counters with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLarnin throws a sloppy head kick
and Mercer counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
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!
Mercer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mercer lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Mercer on the inside.
Mercer is trying to break the clinch but McLarnin has him pressed against the cage.
Mercer goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Mercer drags the fight down to the ground.
Mercer lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mercer is pushing down on McLarnin's leg trying to pass to half guard. McLarnin is fighting to maintain full guard but Mercer has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mercer looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down McLarnin for as long as he can get away with.
McLarnin is trying to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Mercer seems content to control.
Mercer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McLarnin can do to turn this around?
McLarnin gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mercer prevents McLarnin from getting back to his feet.

McLarnin uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Mercer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McLarnin moves away.
McLarnin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mercer.
Mercer fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McLarnin on the side of the head.
Nice defenses there by McLarnin.
McLarnin looks to land a combination but Mercer avoids it well.
McLarnin circles away from the clinch attempt
and McLarnin counters with a right hand to the body.
Mercer doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McLarnin counters by clinching up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alex Mercer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alex Mercer's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mercer avoids the body shot from McLarnin.
Alex Mercer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mercer misses with a hook to the body
and McLarnin counters with a nice uppercut.
Mercer shoots in but no luck this time.
Mercer looks to land a right hand but McLarnin moved out of range.
A punch combination from Mercer misses.
Mercer stuns McLarnin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
McLarnin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mercer.
Mercer lands a nice looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercer avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mercer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mercer throws a shot to the body.
McLarnin takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer moves out of range of the strikes.
McLarnin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mercer misses with a head kick.
McLarnin throws a combination that misses
and Mercer connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mercer throws a hook but McLarnin avoids it easily.
McLarnin steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mercer.
Mercer throws a lazy right hand but McLarnin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mercer looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McLarnin throws a push kick but Mercer slaps the foot to one side.
Mercer throws a quick counter head kick but McLarnin was just out of range.
Jimmy McLarnin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McLarnin lands a jab to the nose.
McLarnin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mercer jabs McLarnin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mercer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McLarnin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLarnin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mercer throws a body shot but no joy.
McLarnin wants to counter the offense by Mercer and move into the clinch position.
Mercer uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McLarnin.
McLarnin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mercer wants to clinch.
McLarnin steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
McLarnin keeps the fight on the outside.
Mercer tries to clinch up.
McLarnin misses with a looping left.
Jimmy McLarnin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mercer looks to clinch
and McLarnin counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mercer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mercer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McLarnin was well out of range. Poor timing from Mercer.
McLarnin steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mercer.
Jimmy McLarnin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLarnin swats away the attempt to clinch by Mercer.
McLarnin is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Mercer moves to clinch but McLarnin breaks away
and McLarnin counters with a stiff right hand.
A punch combination from McLarnin misses.
McLarnin lands a nice looking body shot.
Mercer takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
No joy there for McLarnin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McLarnin throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Mercer wants to clinch but McLarnin slips to the side
enabling McLarnin to counter with a crisp jab.
Mercer is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
McLarnin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
McLarnin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mercer.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Mercer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mercer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It seemed like McLarnin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Alex Mercer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mercer is looking to wear down McLarnin with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McLarnin takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mercer tries to clinch but McLarnin moves away
and McLarnin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Mercer is rocked!
Mercer misses with a hook.
Mercer darts in looking for a takedown but McLarnin gets double underhooks and turns Mercer into the cage.
Mercer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McLarnin.
Mercer appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mercer scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimmy McLarnin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mercer 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Mercer!
A relieved looking Alex Mercer thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.