PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Szekely Kornel (ranked 25157 p4p, 5675 weight class) and Kadyn Mercer (ranked 323 p4p, 310 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Kornel
vs
Mercer

179 cm
25
154
0 - 2 - 0

170 cm
26
145
5 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Northern Zombie

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Szekely Kornel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kadyn Mercer!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jorge Garcia and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Kornel is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Mercer can't fight it off and eventually Kornel manages to take the fight to the floor. Mercer looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Mercer is looking for a triangle but Kornel pushes his legs off easily.

Kornel drops back, looking for a kneebar! Mercer looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Mercer looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Mercer!

Kornel tries to improve position but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercer is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kornel's shoulder. That is not cool.
Mercer tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
You can see the frustration on Kornel's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kornel tries to control but Mercer manages to take his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mercer just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Mercer gets his hands free as Kornel looks to control.
Mercer has the hooks in. Kornel is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Mercer controls the action.
Mercer's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kornel rolls, trying to escape but Mercer keeps control of the position.
Mercer has good solid back control here.
Kornel tries to escape but Mercer has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Mercer is riding his opponent, not letting Kornel buck him off.
Kornel looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Kornel tries to roll but Mercer sticks to his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kornel trying to control the hands but Mercer won't let him.
Kornel tries to escape the position.
Kornel is working hard here to advance position.
Kornel trying to control the hands but Mercer won't let him.
I would not like to be Kornel right now.
Mercer not allowing Kornel to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kornel is really stuck here.
Mercer is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Kornel rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mercer is continuing to stall.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kadyn Mercer dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mercer tries to clinch up but Kornel circles away and keeps his distance.

Mercer gets a clinch.

Kornel has Mercer pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kornel pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mercer tumbling to the mat - Kornel dives into Mercer's guard.
Kornel trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mercer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Mercer looking for a guillotine here but Kornel defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercer keeping moving, preventing Kornel from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mercer has his foot on Kornel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kornel works his way back into a safe position though.
Kornel trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mercer is adopting a defensive guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Mercer working for a triangle but Kornel defends it easily.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kornel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kornel pushing down on Mercer's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Mercer is positioning himself well to prevent Kornel advancing to mount.
Mercer is pressing down on Kornel's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kornel wants to control from the top but Mercer keeps moving.
Mercer trying to control the position.

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.
Kornel slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kornel is looking to take a break and control but Mercer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mercer can't do much from the bottom here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mercer tries to improve position but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kadyn Mercer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kornel tries to bum rush Mercer with a series of wild strikes but Mercer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Mercer has managed to clinch.

Kornel lands a takedown into guard.
Kornel wants to control from the top but Mercer keeps moving.

Mercer has his foot on Kornel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kornel works his way back into a safe position though.

Mercer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kornel is aware though and is defending well.
Kadyn Mercer has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mercer is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kornel tries to free his leg and advance position but Mercer is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercer looking to control.
Kornel looking to sit in guard and control but Mercer gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kornel has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Mercer is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Kornel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer happy to just control the position for now.
Kornel struggling a bit here.
Mercer takes a little break here. Kornel wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
More stalling from Mercer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kornel wants to control but Mercer postures up.
Mercer is staying tight to Kornel's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Mercer working away.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Kornel is trying to control Mercer's posture but Mercer avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kornel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mercer tries to clinch but Kornel is having none of it.
Kornel half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kadyn Mercer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kornel has closed the distance and engaged Mercer in a clinch.
Szekely Kornel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Mercer jumps guard.
Kornel throwing strikes but missing.
Mercer keeping full guard, as Kornel tries to pass.

Kornel got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mercer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kornel has managed to get both his arms back between Mercer's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kornel is pushing down on Mercer's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mercer is fighting to maintain full guard but Kornel has managed to sneak the leg through.

Kornel is looking for a kimura here.

Kornel wants to work for an arm triangle but Mercer is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Mercer tries to roll over but Kornel keeps him under control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mercer is holding on to half guard well.
Kadyn Mercer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mercer is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kornel's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kornel's back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Kadyn Mercer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mercer winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kadyn Mercer!