PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 2045 p4p, 232 weight class) and Scott Smith (ranked 1210 p4p, 149 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Merlin
vs
Smith

170 cm
25
162 lbs
13 - 11 - 0

175 cm
30
160 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Xavier Merlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Scott Smith!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merlin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Smith in his tracks.
Merlin cracks Smith with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Merlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Merlin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Merlin wants it to stay on the feet.

Merlin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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 is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.
Merlin keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Merlin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smith trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Merlin manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Smith is trying to keep Merlin in close.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Smith's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Smith tries to improve position but can't.

Merlin is trying to get an arm triangle but Smith is defending well.
Smith tries to buck Merlin off but Merlin is having none of it.
Smith manages to get back to half guard.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Merlin is looking to advance position but Smith won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control but Merlin postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Merlin works his way into side control.

Merlin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Merlin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Smith is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Merlin is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Smith knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
Smith sneaks back into half guard.
Merlin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Smith manages to get to full guard.
Smith is trying to keep Merlin in close.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Merlin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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.

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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.

Smith wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Merlin is on top in guard.

Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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.
Merlin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Merlin dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Merlin stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.

Merlin drives through with a takedown into Smith's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Smith is trying to keep Merlin in close.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Merlin's guard.

Merlin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Merlin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Merlin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith being controlled here momentarily.
Smith is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.

Merlin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Merlin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Merlin is keeping the position.

Merlin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Smith working his ground and pound in the gym.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Merlin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Smith doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Smith manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Smith connects with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to pass the guard.

Merlin is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
Smith stands and throws Merlin's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Merlin prevents Smith from moving into mount.
Smith working away.

Smith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Merlin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Smith passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Merlin!
Merlin is squirming around, avoiding Smith's attempts to control the action.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Smith cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Merlin has given up his back here.

Smith is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Merlin tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Merlin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Merlin trying to control from the bottom.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Merlin defending well though.
Smith wants to pass to mount but Merlin is defending the position.
Merlin is pressing down on Smith's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Xavier Merlin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Merlin keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Merlin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merlin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Merlin is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.

Merlin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Scott Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Merlin cracks Smith with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Merlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Smith moves forwards but Merlin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but Merlin gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Merlin lands with a good body shot.
Smith on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Xavier Merlin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Scott Smith.
Merlin lands a slapping body shot.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Merlin as he avoids it easily.
Merlin closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Merlin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Merlin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Merlin is trying to control but Smith passes into side control!
Merlin is looking to reverse the position.
Smith tries to advance to mount but can't.
Merlin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Smith off and has taken his back!
Smith is in bad spot here.

Merlin working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Smith rolls, trying to escape but Merlin keeps control of the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Merlin is not going to allow Smith to sit and survive in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Merlin has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Smith has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Smith is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.

Merlin is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Smith defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Merlin patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Smith tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Smith is wriggling around trying to escape.
Merlin looking to control but Smith is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Merlin is working for a guillotine from mount but Smith frees his head quite easily.
Smith sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Merlin uses his free foot to push down on Smith's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Smith.
Merlin forces the positional change into back control.
Smith is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Merlin off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Merlin is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Smith defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Smith wants to escape the position.

Merlin is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Smith defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Smith rolls, trying to escape but Merlin keeps control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merlin is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Merlin is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Merlin not allowing Smith to control his hands.
Smith tries to break free.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet but Merlin has full control of the position and if anything, Smith has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Smith preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Merlin.
Scott Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Merlin has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Smith has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Merlin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Merlin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Xavier Merlin!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Xavier Merlin!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Xavier Merlin!

Xavier Merlin wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Xavier Merlin thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.