PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kirby Stout (ranked 24863 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackson Mercer (ranked 5033 p4p, 0 weight class). Jackson Mercer will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Stout
vs
Mercer

188 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

190 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kirby Stout!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jackson Mercer!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Cecil Peabody and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercer misses with a head kick.
Mercer fails with the takedown.
Stout is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Stout tries to sprawl but Mercer drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Stout punching from the bottom.
Stout is looking to improve his position.
Stout tries to kick Mercer off but Mercer keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stout misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Stout is trying to stand.
Stout wants to control but Mercer is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mercer is taking a breather. Stout says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Stout is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stout tries to hold on but Mercer pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee warns Stout that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Stout is just holding on here. Mercer manages to take his back.
Stout wants to get back to his feet.
Stout has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mercer loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Stout hold on?
Stout trying to control the position but Mercer manages to sink in the hooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stout is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Mercer off. It looks like it's working - Mercer slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Stout displaying calm under pressure there.
Mercer goes for a double leg but Stout avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stout continues to drive forward.

Mercer closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Stout quickly recovers to half guard.

Stout has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Mercer is on him like a limpet, forcing Stout back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Stout jumps into guard, dragging Mercer to the mat.
Mercer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mercer stops Stout from standing up.
Stout keeping moving, preventing Mercer from controlling successfully.
Stout throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Stout seems keen to control Mercer's posture.
Stout's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer stopping the sweep attempt from Stout.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stout is controlling Mercer's posture.
Stout keeping full guard, as Mercer tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Stout has a takedown stuffed.

Mercer closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Stout quickly recovers to half guard.
Stout has his hands clasped together around Mercer's back. He's all about the action.

Stout is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mercer pulls his head out easily.
Stout is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Stout.
Stout tries to improve position but can't.
Mercer lands a decent elbow from side control.
You can see the frustration on Stout's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Stout throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Mercer is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Stout wants to control but Mercer postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Mercer dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stout throws a head kick but Mercer moves out of range.
Jackson Mercer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mercer shoots in looking for a takedown but Stout manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mercer's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mercer goes for a double leg but Stout avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stout continues to drive forward.

Stout gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Stout pulls Mercer in close to prevent any damage.
Mercer stands up out of Stout's guard for a moment - Stout manages to land a nice upkick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stout has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mercer off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Mercer shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Mercer was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stout tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Stout strikes from the bottom.
Stout is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Mercer is controlling him well.

Mercer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stout has escaped the position, nice work there.
Jackson Mercer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mercer is breathing heavily.
Mercer working away.
Stout is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Stout sneaks back into half guard.
Stout punching from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Stout is holding on to half guard well.
Stout is trying to stand back up but Mercer is controlling him
Stout missing with punches from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Mercer slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Mercer as Stout shoots in.
Stout changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mercer tries to avoid it but Stout manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mercer to the ground. Mercer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mercer raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Mercer shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stout sprawls well. Stout wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mercer gets slowly back to his feet.
Stout is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kirby Stout has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jackson Mercer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mercer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stout sprawls well initially but Mercer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mercer missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stout is staying active underneath Mercer, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stout misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Stout misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Mercer is looking for a kimura here.
Mercer wants to pass the guard but Stout is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stout wants to control but Mercer passes into side.
Mercer prevents Stout from escaping the position.
Stout struggling a bit here.
Stout is trying to get back to his feet.
Stout is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stout manages to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jackson Mercer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Mercer misses the shot to the body.
Mercer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stout pinned against the cage. Stout gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mercer misses with a double jab.
Mercer is looking to clinch.
Mercer digs a good body shot into Stout's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Mercer with that takedown attempt.
Mercer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Stout drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mercer wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Stout manages to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stout throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mercer trying to hold on to Stout's head to control him but Stout postures up.
Stout tries to stand and escape but Mercer is controlling the position.
Stout scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stout throwing shots but Mercer is blocking nicely.
Stout wants to take a breather but Mercer is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercer is trying to get back to full guard.
Stout landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mercer taking some punishment here, with Stout in his half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stout connects with a nice short shot to Mercer's temple.
Stout lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Mercer tries to roll over but Stout keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer taking some punishment here, with Stout in his half guard.
Stout takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stout trying to control the action but Mercer is working from the bottom.
Stout lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stout slips a nice elbow through Mercer's hands, connecting with Mercer's forehead.
Stout landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stout landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mercer trying to control here.
Stout scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mercer is trying to maintain the position but Stout is very close to passing his half guard.
Stout seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stout working Mercer over with strikes.
Stout trying to control the action but Mercer is working from the bottom.
Kirby Stout has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jackson Mercer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Stout is looking for a kimura here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kirby Stout showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mercer has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jackson Mercer!