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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cactus Jack (ranked 1685 p4p, 2155 weight class) and Devon Merchant (ranked 206 p4p, 254 weight class). Merchant has chosen HonestKey- Pass as his entrance music. Cactus Jack has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 192 cm
26
245
11 - 12 - 0 |
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190 cm
25
260
8 - 8 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank |
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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 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Cactus Jack!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Devon Merchant!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Yves DeLean and Dillan Fox.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merchant misses with an uppercut.
Merchant looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Jack fails with a takedown attempt.
Merchant changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Jack fails with a takedown attempt.
Jack drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Merchant seems keen to control Jack's posture.
Jack trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jack chips away with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jack trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jack connects with a couple of short punches.
Merchant looking for a sweep. Not yet Merchant, not yet.
That's one minute 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!
Jack is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Merchant is aware though and is defending well.
Jack trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Jack is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Jack not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Merchant is not content to let Jack control the position.
Jack not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Merchant is looking for a sweep. Jack is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jack is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Jack landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Merchant wants to get back to full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchant wants to control but Jack is keeping busy.
Jack seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Merchant does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Merchant is trying to get back to full guard.
Merchant trying to control from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Jack.
Merchant is trying to control but can't.
Jack is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Merchant defends it well.
Merchant is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jack pulls his head out easily.
Jack is trying to work for a kimura but Merchant is defending well.
Jack wants to stand up but Merchant has a hold of him and won't allow it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchant looking for submissions off his back.
Jack sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Merchant defending well though.
Jack working the head and body with strikes.
Merchant is looking to improve his position.
Merchant is staying active underneath Jack, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Jack looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Jack is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Merchant!
Jack with a couple of short strikes.
Merchant slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Jack trying to control the action but Merchant is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jack thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Merchant's head.
Merchant trying to control here.
Jack trying to mount his opponent but Merchant defends it.
Merchant looking for submissions off his back.
Jack is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Merchant to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Merchant is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jack defends well.
Jack sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Merchant's guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Jack missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jack sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Merchant defending well though.
Jack is working for a submission of some sort.
Jack seems to be working for a kimura but Merchant defends the submission attempt.
Jack not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Merchant wants to improve his position but Jack is controlling well.
Merchant is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jack's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jack's back!
Merchant controlling from the back.
Jack is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merchant is landing with strikes from the back.
Merchant punishes Jack with strikes from the back mount.
Merchant biding his time, looking for the opening.
Jack is trapped and Merchant is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Jack covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Merchant is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Merchant loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Jack hold on?
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Jack trying to control the hands but Merchant won't let him.
Jack is trying to break free.
Merchant is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Merchant 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. Merchant gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Merchant apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Jack changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Merchant tries to avoid it but Jack manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Merchant to the ground. Merchant escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cactus Jack. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jack tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Merchant counters with a takedown into side control.
Jack parries the strikes from Merchant easily there. Merchant is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Jack to escape.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Jack gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Jack avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Merchant.
Jack tries to roll over but Merchant keeps him under control.
Merchant thows a huge punch but Jack dodges it nicely.
Merchant thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jack is positioning himself well to prevent Merchant advancing to mount.
Merchant working the head and body with strikes.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merchant is looking to stall here but Jack recovers full guard.
Jack trying to control the position.
Merchant slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sloppy strikes there by Merchant.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jack takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Merchant has knee on belly momentarily but Jack bucks him off and regains half guard.
Merchant seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jack does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Cactus Jack will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Jack fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Merchant leaves Jack with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Merchant fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Merchant lands a nice hook to Jack's body. Jack takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Merchant tries to keep at a distance but Jack has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jack drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Merchant manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jack scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Merchant throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jack sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jack seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Jack throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jack shoots for a takedown but Merchant saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cactus Jack. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merchant defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jack.
Jack is trying hard to land a takedown here. Merchant sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Merchant with the counter takedown but Jack avoids it easily.
Jack falls off balance throwing a combination
and Merchant counters with a nice double leg into side control. Jack won't be happy with that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jack is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Merchant off and has taken his back!
Jack lands a shot to the body.
You can see the frustration on Merchant's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Jack avoiding Merchant 's attempts to control his hands.
Jack scores with punches from the back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Merchant manages to reverse the position and now he's in Jack's guard. Nice work there by Merchant.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Merchant accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchant throws a big elbow that misses.
Merchant working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Jack's head.
Merchant must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Jack is trying to keep Merchant in close.
Jack throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Jack is trying to keep Merchant in close.
Jack is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Merchant is controlling him.
Merchant missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cactus Jack overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchant keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jack's head.
Merchant's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Merchant is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Merchant not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Merchant scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jack keeping moving, preventing Merchant from controlling successfully.
Jack looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Merchant distracts Jack with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Merchant wants to control from the top but Jack keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merchant content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Merchant lands a couple of digs.
Merchant lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jack not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jack wants to stand but Merchant is controlling the position.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Merchant throws an overhand right that lands on Jack's shoulder, as Jack tries to avoid the shot.
Merchant feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Merchant postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jack 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.
Merchant wants to control from the top but Jack keeps moving.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merchant throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Merchant throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Merchant is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Jack is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Merchant is controlling him.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Merchant throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jack defending well as Merchant loads up on a big left hand.
Merchant stuffs the takedown.
Merchant paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Cactus Jack seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Merchant. No joy for Jack on that attempt.
Jack keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Merchant.
Jack is trying hard to land a takedown here. Merchant sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And Merchant tries to counter it with a takedown but Jack pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Jack looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Merchant scores with a body shot.
Jack moves out of range of the strikes.
Jack throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Merchant's waist but Merchant gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jack off to one side.
Merchant slaps away a takedown attempt from Jack, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Merchant is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Jack's half guard.
Jack keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merchant wants to free his trapped foot but Jack is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Merchant is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Jack is looking to improve his position.
Merchant is keen to just control but Jack is a slippery customer.
Merchant prevents Jack from standing back up.
Merchant throwing shots but Jack is blocking nicely.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jack is not content to let Merchant control the position.
Merchant throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Merchant looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Merchant throwing shots but Jack is blocking nicely.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Merchant not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Jack is looking for a sweep. Merchant is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Merchant throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jack wants to clinch.
And Merchant tries to counter it with a takedown but Jack pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Jack shoots in but no luck this time.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Merchant enables Jack to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Merchant manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Jack looking to pass the guard.
Merchant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jack avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jack with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Devon Merchant showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Merchant just misses with a punch to the body.
Merchant avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jack on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
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.
Jack closes this distance looking for a takedown but Merchant circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jack tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Merchant counters with a single leg into guard. Jack didn't expect that.
Merchant with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jack avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Merchant throws a strike but Jack rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merchant lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Merchant stopping the sweep attempt from Jack.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Merchant distracts Jack with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Merchant sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Merchant trying to control but Jack is working from the bottom.
Merchant throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jack works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jack is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Merchant has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merchant wants to pass the guard but Jack is keeping the position.
Jack wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Merchant is now in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Merchant connects with a nice short shot to Jack's temple.
Merchant lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Merchant perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Jack is pressing down on Merchant's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merchant throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jack works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Merchant's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Jack is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jack keeping moving, preventing Merchant from controlling successfully.
Merchant throws a strike but Jack rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Jack throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Merchant works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Merchant looking to control.
Merchant is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Merchant is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jack defends well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jack is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jack throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Merchant works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jack loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jack postures up in Merchant's guard and throws a big left but Merchant blocks it.
Jack stopping the sweep attempt from Merchant.
Jack got a little sloppy there for a moment and Merchant has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Jack has managed to get both his arms back between Merchant's legs - danger averted.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Jack with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jack postures up.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Merchant takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Merchant misses the shot to the body.
Jack is looking to counter the offense by Merchant and move into the clinch.
Cactus Jack is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jack drives through with a takedown into guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merchant throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Merchant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jack wants to control from the top but Merchant keeps moving.
Jack connects with a couple of short punches.
Jack postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Merchant is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Jack, into his guard.
Merchant scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merchant tries to free his leg and advance position but Jack is retaining full guard.
Merchant is still trying to improve position.
Jack keeping moving, preventing Merchant from controlling successfully.
Jack looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Merchant puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Merchant prevents Jack from improving his position.
Jack is refusing to be controlled, as Merchant sits in half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Merchant lands a nice short elbow.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merchant lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Jack is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Merchant pulls his head out easily.
Merchant is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
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.
Merchant throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Jack keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Merchant lands strikes from half guard.
Merchant winds up and cracks Jack with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Merchant moves into full mount! Jack won't be happy about that!
Merchant lands a heavy elbow.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merchant with good strikes from the mount here!
Merchant postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Jack looks a forlorn figure.
Merchant cracks Jack with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Jack is rocked!
Merchant softens up his opponent with a couple of shots there and then CRACK! One massive shot lands there and Jack is out cold! Merchant jumps to his feet and celebrates on the cage with the fans, who are, quite frankly, going absolutely mental!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Devon Merchant!
Devon Merchant seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
47% |
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