PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 2313 p4p, 251 weight class) and David McCarthy (ranked 3038 p4p, 310 weight class). McCarthy has chosen Chamillionaire - Ridin' ft. Krayzie Bone as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Merlin
vs
McCarthy

170 cm
28
162 lbs
15 - 18 - 0

180 cm
44
165 lbs
41 - 32 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 15 - 18 - 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 41 - 32 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, David McCarthy!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Merlin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
McCarthy is pressing down on Merlin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Merlin advances to half guard.
Merlin trying to control the action but McCarthy is working from the bottom.

Merlin is looking for a kimura but McCarthy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Merlin to get the leverage.
McCarthy wants to get back to his feet.
Merlin throwing shots but McCarthy is blocking nicely.
McCarthy tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin controlling the action here.
McCarthy looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Merlin in particular looking to stall.
McCarthy is trying to stand back up but Merlin is controlling him

Merlin is looking for a kimura here.
Merlin tries to pass to full mount but McCarthy defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCarthy tries to kick Merlin off but Merlin keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Merlin working over McCarthy with some ground and pound. McCarthy looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Merlin stops McCarthy from getting back to his feet.

Merlin seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Merlin is looking to pass McCarthy's guard but actually McCarthy recovers to full guard.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCarthy is keeping the position for now.
Merlin forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCarthy wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Merlin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
McCarthy wants to get back to his feet.
Merlin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McCarthy's head.
McCarthy trying to control from the bottom.
Merlin tries to pass to full mount but McCarthy defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Merlin stops McCarthy from getting back to his feet.
Merlin winds up and cracks McCarthy with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
McCarthy wants to get back to full guard.
Merlin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McCarthy's head.
Merlin tries to pass the half guard into mount. McCarthy knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Merlin is controlling the pace.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but McCarthy is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McCarthy is trying to get back to full guard.
McCarthy is not content to let Merlin control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Merlin moves away from the strike by McCarthy.
No luck for McCarthy with that takedown attempt.

Merlin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for McCarthy!
Merlin controlling the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Merlin stands up and we're back to a striking position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Merlin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Merlin goes for a double leg but McCarthy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McCarthy continues to drive forward.
Merlin fails with the takedown.
David McCarthy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Merlin sizes up McCarthy with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

McCarthy lands a left and a right that sends Merlin crashing to the canvas! McCarthy dives into mount looking to finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McCarthy goes for an armbar but Merlin turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Merlin.
McCarthy can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Merlin controls the pace.
Merlin trying to control but McCarthy is working from the bottom.
McCarthy 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McCarthy is working an open guard so Merlin takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

McCarthy takes the fight into the clinch.
McCarthy is trying to push Merlin away but Merlin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Merlin has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but McCarthy regains guard immediately.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Merlin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McCarthy can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Merlin controls the pace.
Merlin working some strikes from top position.
Merlin content to stall in guard here.
McCarthy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Merlin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stops McCarthy from standing up.
McCarthy pulls Merlin in close to prevent any damage.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but McCarthy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCarthy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
McCarthy is trying to keep Merlin in close.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
McCarthy wants to clinch up but Merlin keeps it at a distance.
Merlin appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin throws a head kick that misses.
McCarthy tries to close the distance and clinch but Merlin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Merlin darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
McCarthy tries to kick Merlin off but Merlin keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Merlin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Xavier Merlin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McCarthy is trying to stand.
McCarthy is trying to control but can't.
McCarthy tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merlin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McCarthy is just riding it out for now. Merlin eventually gives up the hold.
Merlin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but David McCarthy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Merlin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McCarthy now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
McCarthy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Merlin as he avoids it easily.
Merlin fails to land the takedown.

McCarthy instigates a clinch.
McCarthy is trying to force a seperation but Merlin has the dominant position.

McCarthy breaks the clinch.

McCarthy forces Merlin back against the cage and clinches.
McCarthy wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Merlin prevents McCarthy from breaking the clinch.

McCarthy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Xavier Merlin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Merlin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
McCarthy can't keep his opponent in guard - Merlin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Merlin wants to take a breather but McCarthy is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy is trying to control but Merlin passes into side control!
Merlin is staying tight to McCarthy's torso, preventing him from escaping.
McCarthy parries the strikes from Merlin easily there. Merlin is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable McCarthy to escape.
McCarthy struggling a bit here.

Merlin has an Americana. McCarthy didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Merlin is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Merlin hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Xavier Merlin!
During a confident post fight interview, Xavier Merlin thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.