PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Graham Mantle (ranked 369 p4p, 1092 weight class) and Anthony Merel (ranked 41 p4p, 133 weight class). Anthony Merel will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mantle
vs
Merel

169 cm
22
145
7 - 1 - 0

171 cm
22
152
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Conviction

Urban Fighter
Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Graham Mantle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Merel!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Felipe Paraventi and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merel looks to land a right hand but Mantle moved out of range.
Mantle staying out of range there.
Merel lands a nice shot to the body.
Merel tries to move into range but Mantle moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Merel scores with a shot to the body.
Merel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mantle was well out of range. Poor timing from Merel.
Merel swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Mantle counters with a nice uppercut.
A big left from Merel misses.
Mantle throws a shot from downtown. Merel moves away and avoids it.
Merel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mantle blocks a jab.

Mantle has closed the distance and engaged Merel in a clinch.
Mantle scores with a shot to the side of Merel's head.

Merel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Merel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good standup being displayed there by Merel as he connects with a hook.
Merel throws an overhand right that lands on Mantle's shoulder, as Mantle tries to avoid the shot.
Merel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Mantle.
Mantle uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Merel.
Merel bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nice jab there from Merel.
Mantle lands with an uppercut that bounces Merel off the cage and back into range.
Mantle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Merel manages to avoid it.
Merel misses with a looping right.
Mantle staying out of range there.
Merel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mantle ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Merel misses with a hook. Mantle ducked under it nicely.
Anthony Merel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Merel connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Merel takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mantle staying out of range there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Merel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Merel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Mantle.
Mantle throws a hook but Merel avoids it easily.
Merel misses with a hook.
Mantle swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Merel lands a nice shot that snaps Mantle's head back.
Mantle takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Merel throws the left hand but Mantle avoids the punch easily.
It looked like Mantle wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mantle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merel.
A little feinted left hand from Mantle on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Merel throws a jab but it's blocked by Mantle.
Merel throws a body shot but no joy.
Merel misses with a right hand
and Mantle counters with a straight right hand.
Merel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mantle.
Merel throws out a counter right but Mantle avoids it with no problem.
Merel is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Merel looks to throw the jab but Mantle is out of range.
It looks like Mantle has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Merel misses with a looping right.
Merel takes a swing at Mantle's ribcage but misses.
Merel has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Mantle finds it's way round the side to connect with Merel's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle wants to clinch.
Merel misses with an uppercut
and Mantle counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Merel throws a lazy right hand but Mantle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mantle was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mantle throws a looping overhand right but Merel ducks down to avoid it.
Mantle lands with a hook. Merel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Mantle needs to keep his hands up - Merel had a free shot at his head there.
Merel throws a looping overhand right but Mantle ducks down to avoid it.
Merel misses with a right hand
and Mantle counters with a nice uppercut.

Mantle closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mantle working aggressively here.
Mantle lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Mantle misses with some punches.
Merel gets through Mantle's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Mantle fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mantle fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mantle avoids the body shot from Merel.
It looked like Mantle wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Merel misses with a few strikes there.
Merel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mantle.
Merel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mantle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mantle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merel.
Mantle clobbers Merel with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mantle is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Merel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Merel gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Merel misses with a shot to the body
and Mantle counters with a straight right hand.
Merel throws an off balance right hand
and Merel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Merel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Merel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mantle manages to avoid it.
Mantle slips under a jab.
Merel misses the shot to the body.
Merel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mantle moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anthony Merel will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Merel throws a lazy uppercut
and Mantle counters with a nice uppercut.
Merel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Merel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mantle was well out of range. Poor timing from Merel.
Merel connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mantle's hands.
Merel thuds his right hand into Mantle's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Merel looks to land a left hand but Mantle moved out of range nicely.
Mantle tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Merel manages to circle out of the way.
Mantle staying out of range there.
Merel looks to score with a jab to the body but Mantle is just out of range.
Merel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mantle throwing a counter right hand but Merel manages to avoid it.
Mantle walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Merel jabs Mantle right on the nose. Mantle blinks but takes it well.
Mantle has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Merel finds it's way round the side to connect with Mantle's head.
Merel with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mantle avoids the body shot from Merel.
Mantle ducks under a wild hook from Merel.
Merel keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Merel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mantle was well out of range. Poor timing from Merel.
Merel fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mantle on the side of the head.
Merel lands with a shot to the body.
Nice shot by Mantle.
Mantle misses with a hook.
Merel throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mantle counters with a stiff right hand.
Mantle thuds a left hand into Merel's body.
Mantle avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mantle defending well as Merel loads up on a big left hand.
Merel takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Merel throws a shot from downtown. Mantle moves away and avoids it.
Merel misses with a hook
enabling Mantle to counter with a crisp jab.
Mantle misses the shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Merel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Merel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mantle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merel throws a lazy right hand but Mantle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Merel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mantle.
Merel has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Merel there as he acknowledges the shot.
Merel throws out a loose jab but Mantle uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mantle throwing a counter right hand but Merel manages to avoid it.
Merel swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Mantle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mantle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merel.
Merel loads up on a big right hand but Mantle slips the punch.
Merel slips a jab from Mantle.
Merel loads up on a big right hand but Mantle slips the punch.
Mantle takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Merel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Anthony Merel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from Merel. Mantle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mantle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merel.
Mantle swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Merel has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Merel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A shot to the liver by Merel. Beautiful body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merel throws a looping overhand right but Mantle ducks down to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Mantle.
Merel misses with an uppercut
and Mantle makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Merel throws a right hand that misses
letting Mantle counter with a right hand.
Mantle lands with a good body shot.
Merel throws a looping overhand right but Mantle ducks down to avoid it.
Merel misses the jab.
Mantle misses with a hook. Merel ducked under it nicely.
Mantle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merel.
Mantle appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Mantle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Merel.
Merel misses with a body shot
and Merel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big right from Merel misses.
A jab from Merel misses.
Merel sizes up Mantle with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mantle takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Merel throws the left hand but Mantle avoids the punch easily.
It looked like Mantle was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Merel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Merel throws a jab but it's blocked by Mantle.
Merel swings widly with a right hand
and Mantle counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Merel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mantle.
Merel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mantle throws a jab when Merel was well out of range.
Merel throws a body shot but no joy.
Merel looks to throw the jab but Mantle is out of range.
Mantle throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Merel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Merel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Merel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A shot to the liver by Merel. Beautiful body shot.
Merel throws a hook but Mantle blocks it.
Mantle misses the jab.
Merel throws a right hand that misses
enabling Mantle to counter with a crisp jab.
Merel misses the shot to the body.
Mantle is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Merel.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Merel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mantle ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mantle is looking to counter the offense by Merel and move into the clinch.
Merel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Merel throws a body shot but no joy.
Merel throws a poor cross that misses
and Mantle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Merel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mantle keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Merel.
Mantle tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Merel manages to circle out of the way.
Merel throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Mantle counter with a right hand.
Mantle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Merel.
Mantle has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Mantle slips under a jab.
Mantle fails with an attempt to clinch.
Merel is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Mantle with a body shot.
Mantle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Merel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merel looks to land a right hand but Mantle moved out of range.
Mantle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mantle swings away with a body shot that misses
and Merel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mantle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merel misses with an uppercut.
Merel misses with a two punch combination.
Mantle is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mantle. Merel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Merel misses with an uppercut.
Mantle takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mantle does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Decent striking displayed by Mantle there.
Merel moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Mantle throws a hook but Merel avoids it easily.
Merel throws a sloppy body shot
and Mantle counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Merel thinking.
Merel misses with an uppercut.
Mantle throwing a counter right hand but Merel manages to avoid it.

Mantle instigates a clinch.
Mantle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Merel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Mantle fails to land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mantle misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle misses with the head strike.
Merel tries to pull guard but Mantle forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mantle is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Mantle misses with a punch on the inside.
Merel fails to pull guard.
Graham Mantle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Merel.
Merel digs a right hand underneath Mantle's ribcage. Mantle let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Merel misses with some punches.
Mantle prevents the takedown attempt.
Merel fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Merel tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mantle just stands there and leans against the cage.
Merel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mantle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mantle prevents a body shot from Merel.
Mantle misses with some punches.
Mantle misses with the head strike.
Mantle fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Merel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mantle is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle takes a jab right on the kisser.
Mantle connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Merel misses with a body shot.
Merel misses with a body punch
and Mantle counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Merel avoids the body shot from Mantle.
Mantle scores with a crisp jab that stopped Merel in his tracks.
Merel swats away the attempt to clinch by Mantle.
Merel misses with an uppercut
letting Mantle counter with a right hand.

Merel gets tackled into the cage by Mantle. Mantle maintains the clinch.
Graham Mantle has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mantle has a couple of punches blocked by Merel.
Merel blocking some punches.
Merel jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mantle walks away with a smile on his face. Merel gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Merel misses with a hook to the body
and Mantle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Merel throws a jab when Mantle was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merel moves out of range as Mantle strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Merel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mantle.
Mantle on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Merel takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Merel. Mantle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mantle steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Merel.
Mantle bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mantle throws a jab when Merel was well out of range.
Mantle ducks under a wild hook from Merel.
Mantle jabs Merel right on the nose. Merel blinks but takes it well.
Merel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mantle tries to clinch up but Merel circles away and keeps his distance.
Mantle misses with a low kick as Merel jumps back.
Mantle throws a looping overhand right but Merel ducks down to avoid it.
Merel slips under a jab from Mantle.
Merel appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Graham Mantle did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Merel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mantle tries to counter by clinching up but Merel breaks away and moves out of range.
Mantle moves into range and connects with a jab.
Jab from Merel.
Merel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Merel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Merel lands a jab to Mantle's midsection.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mantle. Merel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Merel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Merel throws a right hand that misses
and Merel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Merel misses with a hook.
Merel thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merel misses with a right hand
and Mantle counters with a straight right hand.
Merel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mantle.
Merel swings widly with a right hand
enabling Mantle to counter with a crisp jab.
Mantle throws a big shot that misses.
Mantle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Merel.
Mantle tries to counter by clinching up but Merel breaks away and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle misses with a body shot.
Merel misses with a hook to the body
and Merel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mantle bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A big right from Merel misses.
Mantle was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Merel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mantle sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A big left from Mantle misses.
Merel swings widly with a right hand
and Mantle cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Merel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mantle sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A quick step to the side and Mantle tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Merel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Good exchange - Mantle coming out on top.
Merel throws a lazy right hand but Mantle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mantle scores with a nice strike.
Merel's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mantle connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Merel scrambles back to his feet.
Merel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Merel jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle throws a big shot that misses.
Merel throws out a counter right but Mantle avoids it with no problem.
Merel jabs Mantle to the body, keeping him at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mantle slips a jab from Merel.
Merel throws a hook to the side of Mantle's head but Mantle sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Merel misses with a right hand
and Mantle counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Merel misses with a hook
and Mantle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Merel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mantle sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Merel throws a predictable looking body shot
and Mantle counters with a nice uppercut.
Mantle avoids the body shot from Merel.
A little feinted left hand from Mantle on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mantle bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mantle seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Mantle comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Mantle staying out of range there.
Merel missing with a left hand there. Mantle was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mantle walks into a straight right hand from Merel.
Merel looks to throw the jab but Mantle is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle scores with a shot to the body.
Merel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mantle misses with an uppercut. Merel saw that one coming.
Merel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mantle misses with a looping right.
It seemed like Merel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mantle throws a poor cross that misses
letting Merel counter with a right hand.
Mantle showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Merel.
Mantle lands a really nice looking cross but Merel seems unphased.
Merel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mantle.
Merel scores with a jab. Mantle acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Merel misses with a straight right.
Mantle takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Mantle lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Merel has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Merel and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantle uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Merel.
An attempted straight right counter from Mantle misses the target.
Mantle avoids the body shot from Merel.
Mantle throws a hook to the side of Merel's head but Merel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Merel swings away with a body shot that misses
and Mantle counters with a straight right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mantle looks to score with a jab to the body but Merel is just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Merel. Mantle does a little dance to reset his feet.
As Merel tries to get set, Mantle tries to push him back and clinch up but Merel manages to avoid the attempt.
Merel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mantle counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Merel ducks right into an uppercut from Mantle.
Merel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mantle.
Merel swings widly with a right hand
and Mantle counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Merel throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mantle counters with a right hand to the body.
Mantle turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mantle scores with a jab. Merel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mantle keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Graham Mantle had his way with Anthony Merel in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Merel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Merel throws an off balance right hand
and Mantle makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Mantle lands a slapping body shot.
Mantle jabs Merel right on the nose. Merel blinks but takes it well.
Mantle lands a jab to the head.
Mantle throws a big shot that misses.
Merel misses with a straight left.
It looked like Mantle wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Merel throws a right hand that Mantle ducks under and follows up with a left that Mantle also avoids with ease.
Mantle lands a glancing blow to the side of Merel's head.
Mantle blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantle tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merel swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Merel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Merel throws an off balance right hand
and Mantle counters with a nice uppercut.
Merel throws a shot from downtown. Mantle moves away and avoids it.
Merel throws a lazy right hand but Mantle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Merel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mantle manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merel gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Merel misses with an uppercut.
Merel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A little feinted left hand from Mantle on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Merel throws a hook to the side of Mantle's head but Mantle sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mantle tries to counter by clinching up but Merel breaks away and moves out of range.
Merel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mantle was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Merel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A jab lands there for Merel.
Mantle has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mantle there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mantle defending well as Merel loads up on a big left hand.
Mantle tries to counter by clinching up but Merel breaks away and moves out of range.
Mantle misses with a hook.
Mantle misses with a wild body shot.
Merel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Merel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mantle moves away.
Mantle is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Merel.
A slow jab from Mantle misses its intended target.
Merel takes one to the chin there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mantle manages to avoid it.
Mantle throwing a counter right hand but Merel manages to avoid it.
Merel throws the left hand but Mantle avoids the punch easily.
Mantle is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Merel.
Merel misses with an uppercut. Mantle saw that one coming.
Merel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mantle sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Merel misses the body punch

and Mantle counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mantle misses with the head strike.
Mantle misses with a punch on the inside.
Mantle misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Mantle fails to land.
Merel drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mantle pulls his leg out and moves away.
Merel throws a lazy right hand but Mantle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mantle bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Merel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Merel cracks Mantle with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A swing and a miss from Mantle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merel takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Merel misses with a body punch
and Mantle counters with a nice uppercut.
Merel looks to score with a jab to the body but Mantle is just out of range.
Mantle ducks under a wild hook from Merel.
Mantle digs a good body shot into Merel's ribs.
Mantle staying out of range there.
Merel looks to throw the jab but Mantle is out of range.
Mantle on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Merel throws a looping overhand right but Mantle ducks down to avoid it.
Mantle scores with a jab to the jaw.
Merel misses with a body shot.
Merel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mantle smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Merel misses the body punch
and Mantle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Merel throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Mantle to counter with a crisp jab.
Merel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mantle.
A shot to the liver by Mantle. Beautiful body shot.
Mantle defending well as Merel loads up on a big left hand.
Merel scores with a jab to the jaw.
Merel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Merel takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Mantle rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Merel counters with a straight right hand.
Merel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mantle was well out of range. Poor timing from Merel.
Mantle tries to clinch but Merel is having none of it.
The crowd cheers as Merel lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mantle doesn't seem phased though.
Merel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Merel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mantle.
Mantle slips a jab and a cross from Merel.
As Merel backs away, Mantle returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Graham Mantle.
I think Mantle has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 48:47
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Graham Mantle!
Graham Mantle retains his featherweight title!
Graham Mantle very nearly forgot to thank Brooklyn Apothecary amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.