PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 1629 p4p, 193 weight class) and Ernest Graves (ranked 673 p4p, 86 weight class). Ernest Graves has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Merlin
vs
Graves

170 cm
25
162 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

172 cm
24
160 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Xavier Merlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ernest Graves!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Merlin slips under a jab.
Graves defending well as Merlin loads up on a big left hand.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Graves has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Merlin finds it's way round the side to connect with Graves's head.
Graves misses with an uppercut

and Merlin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Graves's guard.
Graves 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 trying to control but Graves is working from the bottom.
Graves lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Graves avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Merlin looking for a guillotine here but Graves defends easily.

Merlin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves stands and throws Merlin's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Merlin is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin wants to control but Graves postures up.
Merlin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Graves tries to pass the half guard into mount. Merlin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Merlin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Merlin seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Merlin has momentary wrist control but Graves slips an elbow through the middle.

Merlin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Merlin can't keep his opponent in guard - Graves advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Graves looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Merlin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Graves works his way into side control.
Graves trying to control the position but Merlin is working away.

Graves wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Merlin, who protects the arm well.
Merlin is looking to reverse the position.

Graves tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to control Graves's posture but Graves avoids it.
Graves is looking to take a break and control but Merlin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Graves moves into full mount!

Graves is working for a guillotine from mount but Merlin frees his head quite easily.
Graves with good strikes from the mount here!
Merlin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Merlin is looking to escape.
Merlin can't escape the position.
Graves lands a couple of good shots and Merlin has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Will Graves go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Graves is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Merlin is defending well though. Graves let's go of the attempt for now.
Will Graves go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Graves patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Merlin showing good submission defense here.

Merlin is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ernest Graves dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Merlin lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Merlin thuds his right hand into Graves's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Merlin drops down looking for a counter takedown but Graves sprawls and moves away.
Merlin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Merlin is rocked!
Graves throws a jab but it's blocked by Merlin.
Oh Merlin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Graves has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Graves cracks Merlin on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Merlin falls backwards against the cage. Graves follows up with more strikes that drop Merlin to his knees. Graves keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Merlin! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ernest Graves!
A relieved looking Ernest Graves thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.