PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Merel (ranked 932 p4p, 697 weight class) and Pablo Itzpapalotltotec (ranked 103 p4p, 85 weight class). Itzpapalotltotec has chosen Copacabana - Barry Manilow as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Merel
vs
Itzpapalotltotec

171 cm
24
152
6 - 2 - 0

173 cm
22
155
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Merel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Merel clinches.
Merel working aggressively here.
Merel blocks the elbow strike.
Merel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Merel.
Itzpapalotltotec lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to circle away but Merel has him pinned against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Merel as Itzpapalotltotec tries to tie him up.
Itzpapalotltotec blocking some punches.
Merel lands with a light punch inside.
Merel pushes Itzpapalotltotec back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Itzpapalotltotec stalling against the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Merel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Itzpapalotltotec blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Merel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Merel misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to land knees to the body.
Merel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a nice uppercut.
Itzpapalotltotec tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short uppercut from Merel.
Merel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Merel fails to land.
Merel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Itzpapalotltotec with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Merel backwards.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to break the clinch but can't.
Merel lands a left hand that snaps the head of Itzpapalotltotec backwards.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to stall but Merel improves his position.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to break the clinch but Merel is controlling him.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a short punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Itzpapalotltotec.
Merel lands with a left to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Itzpapalotltotec.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Itzpapalotltotec lands an elbow inside that Merel shrugs off.

It looks like Anthony Merel has been cut.
Merel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Itzpapalotltotec makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to break the clinch but can't.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to work over Merel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Merel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Merel misses with a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Merel.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Merel blocks the elbow strike.
Merel working aggressively here.
Itzpapalotltotec throws an elbow but it misses.
Itzpapalotltotec is looking to break free of the clinch but Merel has double underhooks.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Merel blocks a body shot from Itzpapalotltotec.
A short right from Merel on the inside.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a right hand that snaps the head of Merel backwards.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a hook from the clinch.
Merel blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Merel tries to work over Itzpapalotltotec's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Merel lands a shot to the body.
Itzpapalotltotec pushes off an throws an elbow but Merel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec working hard to break the clinch.
Merel lands a nice uppercut.
Itzpapalotltotec blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Itzpapalotltotec looking to throw knees to the head but Merel is blocking nicely.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Merel scores with a shot to the side of Itzpapalotltotec's head.
Merel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Merel.
A short left from Merel.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to land knees in the clinch but Merel avoids the damage to the body.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with an elbow over the top.
Merel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Merel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Merel blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Merel.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merel presses Itzpapalotltotec against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Itzpapalotltotec with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Itzpapalotltotec blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Merel blocks the elbow strike.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a knee strike.
Merel lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Merel.
Merel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Itzpapalotltotec's elbow.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a punch on the inside.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Merel lands with a left to the head.
Merel lands an uppercut.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Merel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec blocks a body shot from Merel.
A body shot lands from Merel.
Itzpapalotltotec throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Merel blocks it with crossed arms.
Itzpapalotltotec blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Merel dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anthony Merel's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Merel swings widly with a right hand
and Merel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Merel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Itzpapalotltotec sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Merel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Merel tries to clinch but Itzpapalotltotec moves away
letting Itzpapalotltotec counter with a right hand.
Merel tries to clinch up.
Merel comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Merel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Itzpapalotltotec defends well and Merel ends up having to push Itzpapalotltotec into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A right hand to the body from Merel.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to land knees to the body.
Merel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Itzpapalotltotec swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Itzpapalotltotec.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Itzpapalotltotec.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Merel avoids it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Merel fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merel misses with a punch to the body.
Merel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Merel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Merel lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Itzpapalotltotec backwards.
Merel has a couple of punches blocked by Itzpapalotltotec.
Merel digs a right hand into Itzpapalotltotec's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Itzpapalotltotec's gas tank.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Merel presses Itzpapalotltotec against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Merel working aggressively here.
Merel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Merel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Itzpapalotltotec prevents a body shot from Merel.
A head punch on the inside from Merel fails to land.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to control the position but instead, Merel has worked for underhooks and has pushed Itzpapalotltotec into the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Itzpapalotltotec tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Itzpapalotltotec throws a punch but it's blocked by Merel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merel prevents a body shot from Itzpapalotltotec.
Merel tries to work over Itzpapalotltotec's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Merel blocks the elbow strike.
Itzpapalotltotec's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Itzpapalotltotec stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a knee to the head.

Itzpapalotltotec pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Itzpapalotltotec paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Itzpapalotltotec circles away from the clinch attempt.
Itzpapalotltotec dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Merel looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Merel throws an overhand right that lands on Itzpapalotltotec's shoulder, as Itzpapalotltotec tries to avoid the shot.
A nice side step and Itzpapalotltotec releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Itzpapalotltotec walks into a stiff left hand from Merel.

Merel clinches.
Merel has a couple of punches blocked by Itzpapalotltotec.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Itzpapalotltotec's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Itzpapalotltotec takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Merel misses with a hook. Itzpapalotltotec ducked under it nicely.
Merel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Itzpapalotltotec.
A little jabbing left from Itzpapalotltotec on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Itzpapalotltotec walks into a straight right hand from Merel.
Merel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Itzpapalotltotec can do to turn this around?
Merel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Merel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Itzpapalotltotec.
Merel throws a jab but it's blocked by Itzpapalotltotec.
Itzpapalotltotec defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Merel.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Itzpapalotltotec! But no joy.
Merel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Itzpapalotltotec.
Merel slips under a jab.
It looked like Merel was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nice cross by Merel.
Itzpapalotltotec slips a jab from Merel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merel misses the body punch
and Merel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Anthony Merel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Itzpapalotltotec throws a body shot but no joy.
Merel just misses with a punch to the body.
Itzpapalotltotec displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Merel throws out the jab.
Itzpapalotltotec looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice jab there from Merel.
Merel thuds his right hand into Itzpapalotltotec's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Merel takes one to the chin there.
Merel throws a body shot but no joy.
Itzpapalotltotec uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Merel.
Merel swings for the body but Itzpapalotltotec moves out of range.
Itzpapalotltotec swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Merel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Merel misses with a straight right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Merel dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Anthony Merel's cut.
That's time! Merel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Jab from Merel.
Merel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Itzpapalotltotec lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Merel was well out of range. Poor timing from Itzpapalotltotec.
Merel misses with an uppercut.
Itzpapalotltotec bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Itzpapalotltotec swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Merel closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Itzpapalotltotec counter with a right hand.
Merel swings widly with a right hand
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merel throws out a loose jab but Itzpapalotltotec uses good head movement to avoid it.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Merel.
Merel throws a big shot that misses.
Itzpapalotltotec is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Merel with a body shot.
Merel fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Merel fails with an attempt to clinch.

Merel closes the distance and pushes Itzpapalotltotec back into the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a knee strike.
Merel lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec blocking some punches.
Merel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right handed body shot lands from Merel.
The referee calls for Itzpapalotltotec to work.
Itzpapalotltotec fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Itzpapalotltotec controlling the action here for a moment.
Merel avoids the elbow strike from Itzpapalotltotec, against the cage.
Merel letting Itzpapalotltotec take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Merel working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Merel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Itzpapalotltotec displaying some good clinch control by pressing Merel up against the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Merel misses with a body punch.

Itzpapalotltotec pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Merel jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Merel throws a lazy uppercut
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Merel throws a hook but Itzpapalotltotec blocks it.
Merel misses with a hook to the body
and Itzpapalotltotec connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Itzpapalotltotec moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Merel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Itzpapalotltotec's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merel throws a hook to the side of Itzpapalotltotec's head but Itzpapalotltotec sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little jabbing left from Itzpapalotltotec on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Merel moves into the clinch successfully.
Anthony Merel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to break the clinch but Merel has him pressed against the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Merel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Merel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a knee strike.
Merel cracks Itzpapalotltotec with a nice body shot.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with some punches.
Merel misses with the head strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Merel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Merel works on Itzpapalotltotec's body with a couple of short punches.
Merel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Itzpapalotltotec taking a breather.
Itzpapalotltotec throws a knee to the head but misses.
Merel misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merel throws a punch but it's blocked by Itzpapalotltotec.
Merel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A left hand lands to the body for Merel.
Merel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Itzpapalotltotec has a couple of punches blocked by Merel.
Merel swings wildly with an uppercut but Itzpapalotltotec uses good head movement to avoid it.
Merel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Itzpapalotltotec has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Merel.
Merel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Itzpapalotltotec backwards.
Itzpapalotltotec missing with knees to the body.
Merel scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Merel on the inside.

Itzpapalotltotec breaks from the clinch.

Merel closes the distance and clinches.
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anthony Merel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Merel misses with a hook to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Merel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Merel 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Merel!
During a confident post fight interview, Anthony Merel thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.