|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cactus Jack (ranked 3180 p4p, 3729 weight class) and Devon Merchant (ranked 375 p4p, 430 weight class). Merchant is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: HonestKey- Pass. Devon Merchant acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.
 |
|
 |
| 192 cm
24
245
8 - 10 - 0 |
|
190 cm
23
260
5 - 5 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
|
Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Cactus Jack!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Devon Merchant!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Elvis Blanc and Gregory Folan.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merchant throws a body shot but no joy.
Jack shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Merchant as he jumps to the side.
Jack tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Merchant paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jack fails to land with a series of punches.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Merchant has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Jack doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Merchant tries to sprawl but Jack drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Jack missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jack is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Merchant doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jack.
Jack tries to pass the half guard into mount. Merchant knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jack is trying to work for a kimura but Merchant is defending well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merchant is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jack is looking to take a break and control but Merchant is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jack is trying to work for a kimura but Merchant is defending well.
Jack slips a nice elbow through Merchant's hands, connecting with Merchant's forehead.
Merchant is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jack thows a huge punch but Merchant dodges it nicely.
Merchant is defending against the submission attempts here by Jack.
Merchant wants to improve his position but Jack is controlling well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchant is staying active underneath Jack, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Merchant is trying to get back to full guard.
Jack throwing shots but Merchant is blocking nicely.
Jack is trying to work for a kimura but Merchant is defending well.
Merchant trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merchant blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jack.
Merchant blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jack.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jack stalling away here and it's allowed Merchant to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Jack throws a strike but Merchant rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Jack looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Merchant loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Merchant missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jack seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Merchant lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jack escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Merchant gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Merchant really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jack. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Merchant tries to free his leg and advance position but Jack is retaining full guard.
Merchant postures up in Jack's guard and throws a big left but Jack blocks it.
Merchant looking to sit in guard and control but Jack gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Jack has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merchant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Merchant trying to control the position here.
Merchant preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jack is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Jack trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merchant managing to control the position.
Jack pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merchant is keeping the position for now.
Jack is working Merchant over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Jack throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jack in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Merchant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jack trying to control but Merchant is working from the bottom.
Merchant is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Jack postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Merchant pulls Jack in close to prevent any damage.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jack closes the distance and clinches up with Merchant, looking for a takedown. Jack pushes Merchant against the cage but Merchant circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Merchant throws out a counter right but Jack avoids it with no problem.
Jack gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merchant lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Merchant misses with a punch on the inside.
Merchant turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Jack taking punishment in the form of punches.
Jack is trying to improve his position.
Merchant takes a little break here. Jack wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Jack wants to control but Merchant postures up.
Merchant trying to control the position but Jack is working away.
Jack manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Jack wants to lay and pray for a moment but Merchant keeps working.
Merchant makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Merchant.
Merchant preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jack throws a big elbow that misses.
Merchant wants to sweep but no luck.
Jack content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Jack throws a big elbow that misses.
Merchant is pulling down on Jack's head. It's preventing any offense from Jack, at least for the moment.
Jack sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Merchant's guard.
Merchant tries to get to full guard but Jack has control of the leg.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Jack trying to mount his opponent but Merchant defends it.
Merchant gets back to full guard.
Merchant manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jack manages to get himself to full guard.
Merchant throws a big elbow that misses.
Jack wants to get back to his feet but Merchant is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Merchant throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merchant postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Jack bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Merchant's guard.
Jack trying to control but Merchant is working from the bottom.
Jack with a flurry of punches that miss.
Merchant has his hands on Jack's head, controlling the position.
Jack postures up in Merchant's guard and throws a big left but Merchant blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Merchant pulls Jack in close to prevent any damage.
Jack trying to control the position from guard on top but Merchant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Cactus Jack dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
The fighters circling - Merchant throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As Merchant looks to move away, Jack throws a big counter combo but Merchant just gets out of the way.
Jack tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merchant swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jack shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Merchant pinned against the cage. Merchant gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jack or perhaps it was just good defense by Merchant, which made it look bad.
Merchant ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Merchant misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jack keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Merchant.
Jack dives in and grabs Merchant's left leg, looking for a takedown. Merchant pushes down on Jack's head and hops out.
And Merchant tries to counter it with a takedown but Jack pushes his down on his head and steps out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cactus Jack. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merchant manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Jack on his heels. He'll look to pass Jack's guard now, I'm sure.
Jack uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Merchant scores with a jab to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merchant swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jack closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Jack lands in his opponent's guard.
Cactus Jack overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jack scoring with some ground and pound.
Merchant is controlling Jack's posture.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jack accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jack postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Merchant has his hands on Jack's head, controlling the position.
Merchant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jack postures up and lands a big shot to Merchant's brow.
Jack pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merchant is keeping the position for now.
Jack wants to get up but he can't break Merchant's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Merchant bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jack's guard.
Merchant working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Jack's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Merchant accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Merchant looking to sit in guard and control but Jack gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Merchant is adopting a defensive guard.
Merchant keeping moving, preventing Jack from controlling successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jack missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Merchant pulls Jack in to control the position.
Merchant looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jack pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merchant is keeping the position for now.
Jack looking to sit in guard and control but Merchant gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Merchant is in close to Jack's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Jack seems keen to control Merchant's posture.
Jack trying to control the position.
Merchant throws an elbow that misses. Jack uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Merchant's guard. Nice move by Jack!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jack throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Merchant works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Merchant controlling Jack's posture.
Jack postures up in Merchant's guard and throws a big left but Merchant blocks it.
Jack wants to pass the guard but Merchant is keeping the position.
Jack pushing down on Merchant's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Merchant is looking to improve his position.
Jack has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Jack looking to secure an arm triangle but Merchant defends it well.
Jack prevents Merchant from getting the reversal.
Jack cracks Merchant with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
It looks like Devon Merchant has been cut.
Jack is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Merchant has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Merchant!
Merchant is looking to work some ground and pound but Jack has wrist control.
Merchant must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Merchant accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Merchant throws an elbow that misses. Jack uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Merchant's guard. Nice move by Jack!
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merchant pulls Jack in to control the position.
Jack cracks Merchant with a solid left hand.
That has opened up Devon Merchant's cut even more.
Merchant is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Merchant can't keep his opponent in guard - Jack advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Jack thows a huge punch but Merchant dodges it nicely.
Jack not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Merchant is looking to control Jack's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Merchant avoid being mounted?
Jack misses with a head shot. Merchant uses the momentum to regain guard.
Merchant keeping moving, preventing Jack from controlling successfully.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Jack tries to free his leg and advance position but Merchant is retaining full guard.
Jack postures up in Merchant's guard and throws a big left but Merchant blocks it.
Merchant has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Jack throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Merchant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jack connects with a couple of short punches.
Jack throws a big elbow that misses.
Jack trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Merchant is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Merchant preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jack wants to stand but Merchant has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Merchant getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Jack throws a combination that misses
and Merchant counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Jack kicks Merchant off and gets back to his feet.
Jack misses with a leg kick.
And Merchant tries to counter it with a takedown but Jack pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Jack throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Jack misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jack gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Merchant counters with a stiff right hand.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merchant fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jack manages to avoid it.
Jack is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Merchant can do to turn this around?
Merchant throws a hook but Jack blocks it.
Jack fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice jab there from Merchant.
Jack shoots in for a takedown but Merchant shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Merchant scores with a hook to the body. Jack takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Jack shoots in looking for a takedown. Merchant tries to sprawl out of it but Jack keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Merchant manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Merchant stuffs the takedown.
Devon Merchant seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed right hand from Merchant misses the target.
Jack fails to land the takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Cactus Jack will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Devon Merchant's cut.
That's time! Jack's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Jack uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Merchant.
Merchant slips a jab and a cross from Jack.
Merchant circles away from the clinch attempt
and Merchant counters with a shoot takedown. Jack fights it but they end up in guard.
Jack pulls Merchant in to control the position.
Merchant tries to free his leg and advance position but Jack is retaining full guard.
Merchant lands a couple of digs.
Jack looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jack looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merchant is one step ahead there.
Jack controls Merchant momentarily but Merchant frees himself.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Merchant's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Merchant postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Merchant engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jack darts in looking for a takedown but Merchant gets double underhooks and turns Jack into the cage.
Jack blocks a body shot from Merchant.
Merchant breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jack shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Merchant defends it nicely.
Cactus Jack is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jack shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Merchant napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jack misses with the ground and pound.
Merchant wants to control but Jack postures up.
Merchant on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Merchant holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Jack is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Merchant is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Jack working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Jack is working Merchant over with some ground and pound from side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchant is trying to control Jack's posture but Jack avoids it.
Jack tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Jack has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Jack looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Merchant is avoiding damage well.
Merchant manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Merchant keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Jack takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Jack is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Merchant sees it coming and defends easily.
Merchant wants to get back to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jack is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Merchant reverses the position - he's now on top in Jack's guard.
Jack preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Merchant prevents Jack from getting back to his feet.
Merchant passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Jack actively working from the bottom here.
Jack wants to get back to his feet.
Devon Merchant has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merchant wants to control but Jack is keeping him busy.
Jack is looking to control Merchant's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jack avoid being mounted?
Merchant thows a huge punch but Jack dodges it nicely.
Merchant seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Jack is looking for a sweep. Merchant is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jack tries to kick Merchant off but Merchant keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Jack looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Merchant is nestled in close to Jack, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Merchant is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jack has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jack is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jack or perhaps it was just good defense by Merchant, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cactus Jack. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jack goes for a double leg but Merchant avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Merchant continues to drive forward.
Jack has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Merchant regains guard immediately.
Jack trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merchant 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.
Jack working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Jack throws an elbow that misses. Merchant uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jack's guard. Nice move by Merchant!
Merchant is looking to work some ground and pound but Jack has wrist control.
Merchant throwing strikes from guard but Jack blocks nicely.
Jack is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Merchant is aware though and is defending well.
Merchant throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jack works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Merchant with a nice head shot there.
Merchant stopping the sweep attempt from Jack.
Merchant connects with a couple of short punches.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Jack not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Merchant advances to half guard.
Merchant is trying to control. Jack wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Merchant missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jack is looking to control Merchant's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jack avoid being mounted?
Merchant lands with a punch from half guard.
Jack wants to improve his position but Merchant is controlling well.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Merchant looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jack with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Jack keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merchant throws a hook to the side of Jack's head but Jack sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Merchant circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jack fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Merchant misses with a looping left.
Jack defending well as Merchant loads up on a big left hand.
Merchant throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jack sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Jack is defended easily by Merchant.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jack throws a series of strikes that have Merchant backpedaling.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Devon Merchant.
I think Jack 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cactus Jack!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
36% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
