PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Devon Merchant (ranked 3267 p4p, 3659 weight class) and Gerard Messing (ranked 393 p4p, 424 weight class). Merchant comes into the arena with HonestKey- Pass blaring out of the sound system. Gerard Messing has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Devon Merchant's chin.

Merchant
vs
Messing

190 cm
24
260
6 - 6 - 0

189 cm
23
277
5 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Devon Merchant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Messing!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merchant throws a lazy uppercut

and Messing counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Merchant gets full guard.
Merchant seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Messing trying to control the position from guard on top but Merchant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merchant working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Messing.
Messing working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Merchant's head.
Messing keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Merchant's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Messing slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Merchant tries to bench press Messing off him but Messing keeps the position.
Messing controlling from side mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messing cracks Merchant with a big elbow.
Messing working the strikes but Merchant uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Messing thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Messing seems to be working for a kimura but Merchant defends the submission attempt.
Messing wants to free his trapped foot but Merchant is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Merchant preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

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.
Messing is thwarting Merchant's attempts to control the position.
Merchant is trying is best to control the position here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Messing working his ground and pound in the gym.
Messing slips a nice elbow through Merchant's hands, connecting with Merchant's forehead.
Messing is thwarting Merchant's attempts to control the position.
Messing throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Messing trying to control from half guard but Merchant is working away.
Merchant trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messing content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Messing trying to control the action but Merchant is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Merchant shoots in and drives through. Messing sprawls well.
Messing cracks Merchant with a good jab.
Messing throws a jab when Merchant was well out of range.
A quick step to the side and Merchant tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Messing connects with a jab.

It looks like Devon Merchant has been cut.
Messing tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Merchant was well out of range. Poor timing from Messing.
Merchant definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Messing shoots in but Merchant avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Merchant attempts a counter takedown but Messing avoids it well and moves away.
Merchant throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messing misses with an uppercut.
Gerard Messing seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Messing fails with a takedown attempt.
Messing lands with a shot to the body.

Messing shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Messing thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Merchant avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Messing.
Merchant has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Messing is working away from the top position though.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merchant wants to get back to full guard but Messing has mounted him!
Messing raining down hammerfists from mount.
Messing tries to control but Merchant wriggling away.
Messing avoids the attempt from Merchant to control.
Merchant takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Messing putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Messing postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Merchant looks a forlorn figure.
A big strike lands for Messing! That's really hurt Merchant and he's turned his back - Messing keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Messing jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 6:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gerard Messing!
Gerard Messing decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.