PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mbuti Bayaka (ranked 1150 p4p, 1474 weight class) and Tyrese Mercado (ranked 131 p4p, 172 weight class). Tyrese Mercado will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Bayaka
vs
Mercado

163 cm
25
163
6 - 1 - 0

194 cm
27
155
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Wrestler Wayfare
BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION

BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION
Pulling Guard

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mbuti Bayaka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tyrese Mercado!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bayaka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mercado paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bayaka takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bayaka.
Mercado is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Mercado takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Mercado wants to get back to his feet but Bayaka drags him back down.
Mercado dodges the ground and pound from Bayaka.
The strikes coming from Bayaka are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Bayaka creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Mercado sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Mercado is trying to buck Bayaka off.
Bayaka postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Mercado is pushing Bayaka's head away, looking to escape. Bayaka manages to hold on to the position though.
Bayaka in side control, throwing shots but Mercado defends.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercado pushes Bayaka away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bayaka gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bayaka lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mercado down.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercado is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mercado can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bayaka cracks Mercado with a big right hand but Mercado just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Mercado is looking to get back to his feet here but Bayaka is keeping cool and he's managed to take Mercado's back.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Bayaka.

Mercado is rocked!
Mercado covering up well under a series of strikes from Bayaka.
Mercado is covering up but some of the strikes from Bayaka are getting through and doing damage.
Bayaka 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.
Mercado trying to get back to his feet but Bayaka is in full control for now.
Bayaka throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Mercado!
Mercado is still in real trouble! Can Bayaka finish him?
Bayaka is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Mercado felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercado is trying to get back to his feet but Bayaka has full control of the position and if anything, Mercado has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Mercado seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bayaka is punishing Mercado with strikes - can he finish him?!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mercado wants to get back to his feet.
Bayaka is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Bayaka gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Bayaka gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Bayaka apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Mercado throws a lazy right hand but Bayaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bayaka feinted with a counter takedown.
Bayaka misses the body punch
and Bayaka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mercado is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Bayaka moves into the clinch.
Bayaka tries a body shot but Mercado blocks it.
Bayaka takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Bayaka.
Bayaka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mercado prevents it.
Mercado throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bayakas head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bayaka is working for takedown but Mercado is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka stalling in the clinch but Mercado improves position.
Bayaka misses with some punches.
Bayaka working aggressively here.
Bayaka stalling the fight.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Bayaka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mercado's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Bayaka working aggressively here.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bayaka looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Mercado lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bayaka blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bayaka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Bayaka.
Bayaka looking for a takedown.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
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!
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mercado after a bit of a struggle.
Bayaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mercado's elbow.
Bayaka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mercado gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bayaka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mercado prevents it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka can't get the takedown.
Bayaka stalling.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mbuti Bayaka dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mercado throws a hook but Bayaka blocks it.

Bayaka fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mercado, pushing him back against the cage.
Mercado lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bayaka.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
Bayaka is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mercado is defending well.
Mercado lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bayaka.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bayaka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mercado prevents it.
Bayaka is looking to control Mercado's arms but Mercado gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bayaka has his back to the cage.
Bayaka is looking to control Mercado's arms but Mercado gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bayaka has his back to the cage.
Bayaka tries a body shot but Mercado blocks it.
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Mercado misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Bayaka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bayaka taking a breather.
Bayaka throws an elbow but it misses.
Bayaka taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bayaka.
Bayaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Mercado.
Tyrese Mercado seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mercado misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado blocks a body shot from Bayaka.
Bayaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Bayaka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bayaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado lands with a light punch inside.
Mercado lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Bayaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mercado is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercado lands with a left to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercado dodges an elbow strike from Bayaka.
Mercado lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Mercado lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Mercado blocking some punches.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Bayaka.
Mercado lands a hook that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Mercado scores with a shot to the side of Bayaka's head.
Bayaka wants a takedown.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bayaka is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mercado is keeping busy.
Mercado prevents a body shot from Bayaka.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses.
Bayaka is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bayaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bayaka.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Bayaka lands a left hand.
Bayaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bayaka tries a body shot but Mercado blocks it.
Mercado lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bayaka.
Mercado avoids a wild elbow strike from Bayaka.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mercado's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mercado misses with some punches.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bayaka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short left from Bayaka.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Bayaka.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Mercado showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A swing and a miss from Bayaka.
Mercado swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mercado looks to land a right hand but Bayaka moved out of range.
Bayaka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mercado but Mercado pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Good standup being displayed there by Mercado as he connects with a hook.
Mercado throws a one two combo.
Bayaka takes one to the chin there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bayaka avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bayaka is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Mercado.
Mercado waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bayaka.
A jab from Mercado misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bayaka wants to clinch
and Mercado counters with a nice uppercut.

Bayaka shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bayaka was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Mercado is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Bayaka is controlling him well.

Mercado throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Bayaka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mercado throws a lazy right hand but Bayaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Mercado. No joy for Bayaka on that attempt.
Mercado swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercado takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bayaka throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mercado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bayaka misses with a hook. Mercado ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bayaka instigates a clinch.
Mercado lands an uppercut.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bayaka tries to throw a body punch but Mercado avoids it by throwing Bayaka back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
Mercado prevents a body shot from Bayaka.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka is trying to drag Mercado to the mat but Mercado just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
Bayaka tries to throw a body punch but Mercado avoids it by throwing Bayaka back against the cage.
Bayaka lands an uppercut.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mercado is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bayaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Bayaka.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bayaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado pushes Bayaka back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bayaka misses with a punch on the inside.

Bayaka gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bayaka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bayaka stops Mercado from standing up.
Bayaka might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bayaka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mercado wants to get back to his feet but Bayaka is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bayaka wants to control from the top but Mercado keeps moving.
Mercado wants to stand and escape but Bayaka is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Mercado really 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.

Bayaka tries to clinch up.
Mercado throws a lazy right hand but Bayaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mercado slips a straight right by Bayaka.
Bayaka moves to clinch but Mercado breaks away
enabling Mercado to counter with a crisp jab.

Bayaka clinches with his opponent.
Bayaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bayaka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mercado backwards.
Mercado lands a shoulder strike.
Bayaka misses with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Bayaka.
Bayaka is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bayaka misses with some punches.
Bayaka lands with a left to the head.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka misses with some punches.

Bayaka gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Mercado regains guard.
Bayaka postures up in Mercado's guard and throws a big left but Mercado blocks it.
Bayaka stops Mercado from standing up.
Mercado utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mercado wants to stand up but Bayaka is controlling him.
Bayaka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mercado works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mercado has momentary wrist control but Bayaka slips an elbow through the middle.
Bayaka working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mercado's head.

Mercado has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Bayaka is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Bayaka throws an elbow but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bayaka throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka lands an uppercut.
Mercado lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
A short right from Mercado.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
Bayaka misses with some punches.
Mercado lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mercado lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mercado's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
Mercado misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bayaka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Mercado backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado dodges an elbow strike from Bayaka.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Bayaka.
Bayaka is working for takedown but Mercado is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short left from Mercado.
Mercado scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Bayaka.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bayaka leaning against his opponent.
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Mercado gets underhooks to prevent Bayaka's takedown attempt.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado blocking some punches.
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!
Mercado gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bayaka.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Bayaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Tyrese Mercado will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Bayaka gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mercado counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bayaka shoots and misses
and Mercado counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bayaka wants to clinch
and Mercado counters with a straight right hand.
Bayaka has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bayaka fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bayaka clinches with his opponent.
Mercado has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bayaka throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Bayaka tries a body shot but Mercado blocks it.
A right hook to the body lands for Bayaka.
Bayaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mercado is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bayaka lands with a left to the head.
Bayaka lands with a right to the head.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bayaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Bayaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercado lands a left hand.
A shot in the inside from Bayaka.
Bayaka wants to take the fight to the mat but Mercado manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bayaka can't get the takedown.
Bayaka drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mercado gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mbuti Bayaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bayaka holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mercado's elbow.
Bayaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mercado is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Bayaka scores with a shot to the side of Mercado's head.
Bayaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka blocks an uppercut.
Mercado is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Bayaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka misses with some punches.
Bayaka lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka is looking to control Mercado's arms but Mercado gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bayaka has his back to the cage.
Bayaka misses with a punch to the body.
Mercado blocks a body shot from Bayaka.
Still in the clinch, Mercado scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Bayaka.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bayaka.
Bayaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Mercado.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses.
Tyrese Mercado is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bayaka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tyrese Mercado.
I think Mercado has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 46:49
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyrese Mercado!
Tyrese Mercado is the new lightweight champion!
A very excited looking Tyrese Mercado rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.