PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 694 p4p, 86 weight class) and Evan Page (ranked 547 p4p, 71 weight class). Page has chosen Planning a Prison Break as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Merlin
vs
Page

170 cm
22
162 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

170 cm
22
155 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)
Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 10 - 5 - 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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Evan Page!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Francis DeMontford and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merlin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Page as he avoids it easily.
Page looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Merlin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Page's guard.

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

Merlin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Merlin won't allow Page to sweep him here.
Page told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
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 drops back looking for a leg! Page is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Page manages to kick Merlin off! Merlin jumps back into Page's guard.

Merlin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Merlin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Merlin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Merlin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Merlin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Page is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Merlin is controlling him.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Page is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Merlin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Merlin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Merlin drops back looking for a leg! Page is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Page manages to kick Merlin off! Merlin jumps back into Page's guard.
Merlin won't allow Page to sweep him here.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Page keeps moving.
Merlin is really struggling to control Page but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Merlin stopping the sweep attempt from Page.

Merlin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Merlin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Page is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two 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.
Page wants to stand up but Merlin is controlling him.
Page is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Page is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Merlin.
Merlin shoots in for a double leg but Page sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Merlin shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Page is trying to defend but Merlin finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Page moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Page has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Merlin won't allow Page to sweep him here.
Merlin slips nicely into half guard.
Page tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merlin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Merlin is working for a kimura but Page is defending it quite comfortably.

Merlin is looking for a kimura here.
Page is looking to control Merlin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Page avoid being mounted?

Merlin is working for a kimura but Page is defending it quite comfortably.

Merlin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merlin is working for a submission of some sort.

Merlin is looking for a kimura but Page is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Merlin to get the leverage.
Page works his way to full guard. Good work.
Page trying to keep a closed guard but Merlin is proving a slippery customer.
Merlin forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Page manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

Merlin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Merlin dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Merlin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Page trying to control from the bottom.

Merlin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Merlin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Page can do to turn this around?

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 looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Merlin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Page tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
Xavier Merlin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Merlin seems to be looking for submissions.

Page is defending against the submission attempts here by Merlin.
Page keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Page tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Page wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy.
Page works his way to full guard. Good work.
Page looking for a sweep. Not yet Page, not yet.

Merlin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Merlin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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.

Merlin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Merlin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Merlin passes into half guard.

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 working for a kimura but Page is defending it quite comfortably.

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 working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merlin is looking for a kimura here.

Merlin is working for a submission of some sort.
Page is looking to improve his position.

Merlin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Page has managed to free his arm - good work.
Page keeping hold of Merlin's head, controlling as best he can.
Merlin is thwarting Page's attempts to control the position.

Merlin seems to be working for a kimura but Page defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Page trying to control here.

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

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.
Page is holding on to half guard well.
Page is looking to control Merlin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Page avoid being mounted?
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Page regains full guard. Nicely done.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Page is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Page can't keep his opponent in guard - Merlin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Merlin dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Page throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Merlin on the side of the head.
Merlin takes one on the button.
Merlin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Page defends well and Merlin ends up having to push Page into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Page is looking for the big counter here.
Page lands a jab to Merlin's midsection.
Merlin takes one to the side of the head.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Page but Page pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters circle each other, looking for something big. Page moves in and throws an overhand right. That hurt Merlin! Page continues to tee off on Merlin, landing with a left and a right! Page connects with a right hand that leaves Merlin sleeping against the cage! What a finish by Page!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Evan Page!
After the fight, Evan Page was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.