PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Dent (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Mercer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dent comes to the cage accompanied by Powertrip. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dent
vs
Mercer

189 cm
24
169 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
160 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
KO power

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Curtis Dent!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bobby Mercer!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Dean Styles and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dent lands a big head kick that sends Mercer tumbling to the mat! Dent takes a step backwards and waves Mercer back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Bobby Mercer has been cut.
Dent explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Mercer throws a hook but Dent blocks it.
Mercer misses with a wild body shot.
Mercer blocks the body kick.
Dent slaps away a takedown attempt from Mercer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mercer throws out a loose jab but Dent uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dent throws a head kick but Mercer moves out of range.
Dent misses with a double jab.
Mercer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dent wants to clinch up but Mercer keeps it at a distance.
Dent getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick misses from Dent.
Dent lands with a thumping leg kick.
Curtis Dent seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dent defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mercer.
Dent scores with a kick to the midsection.

Mercer bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Dent is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Dent's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mercer trying to control the position but Dent is working away.
Dent sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercer slips a nice elbow through Dent's hands, connecting with Dent's forehead.
Dent has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mercer is working away from the top position though.
Mercer throwing shots but Dent is blocking nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Mercer is pressing down on Dent's thigh, looking to free his foot. Dent is holding on for now.
Dent is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mercer throwing shots but Dent is blocking nicely.

That's two 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.
Mercer throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dent keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Dent lands a high kick!
A nice inside leg kick there by Dent. That's going to slow Mercer down.
Mercer takes a kick to the side of the head.
Mercer fails with the takedown.
Curtis Dent has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobby Mercer.
Mercer looks gassed!
Mercer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mercer sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Mercer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dent digs a good body shot into Mercer's ribs.
Dent throws a hook to the side of Mercer's head but Mercer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dent waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mercer.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Mercer crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Dent - the referee stops the clock and Mercer gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Dent. Mercer manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Dent really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dent lands with a kick to the temple. Mercer shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Mercer tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice body kick from Dent.
Dent fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mercer.
Dent tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dent chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Dent.
Dent turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
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!
Mercer takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A good leg kick by Dent.
Mercer takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Horrible takedown by Mercer or perhaps it was just good defense by Dent which made him look bad.
Dent lands a nice looking kick to the body. Mercer takes a step back to recover.
Dent lands a front kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dent is looking to clinch.
Curtis Dent is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dent plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Mercer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dent swivels and escapes.
Dent scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dent misses with a double jab

and Mercer counters with a nice double leg into side control. Dent won't be happy with that.
Mercer wants to control but Dent is keeping him busy.
Dent avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Mercer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dent tries to improve position but can't.
Dent is trying to buck Mercer off.
Mercer lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Dent dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bobby Mercer's cut.
That's time! Dent's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mercer avoids a kick to the body.
Mercer keeps the fight on the outside.
Mercer slips under a jab from Dent.

Dent gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Mercer to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Dent 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.
Mercer sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Dent's guard.
Mercer is trying to control. Dent wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mercer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mercer landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mercer is looking to advance position but Dent won't allow it.
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. Mercer connects with a nice short shot to Dent's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer tries to pass to full mount but Dent defends it.
Mercer not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dent trying to hold on to Mercer's head to control him but Mercer postures up.
Dent wants to get back to his feet.
Mercer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dent taking some punishment here, with Mercer in his half guard.
Mercer wants to free his trapped foot but Dent is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mercer perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dent throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dent throws a front kick aimed at Mercer's knee but Mercer avoids it well.
A solid body kick from Dent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dent fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Mercer checks it well.
Mercer takes a swing at Dent's ribcage but misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mercer!
Mercer shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dent defends it nicely.
Mercer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Dent counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Dent connects with a high kick.
Curtis Dent is winning the standup battle so far.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mercer is defended easily by Dent.
Dent scores with a push kick.
Dent throws a nice inside leg kick.
Dent misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Good work by Mercer as he checks the leg kick.

Mercer shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mercer showed some decent athleticism there.
Mercer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mercer is pressing down on Dent's thigh, looking to free his foot. Dent is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Dent to regain full guard.
Mercer stopping the sweep attempt from Dent.
Mercer with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dent preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dent is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mercer throws a strike but Dent rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Mercer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mercer looks for a takedown but Dent sprawls well.
Curtis Dent has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobby Mercer.
Dent tries to clinch up but Mercer circles away and keeps his distance.
Mercer takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Dent looks to land a body kick but Mercer moved away.
Dent lands with a kick to the temple. Mercer shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Mercer looks for a takedown but Dent sprawls well.
Nice shot lands for Mercer.
Dent misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dent throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Mercer scores with a takedown into Dent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Mercer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bobby Mercer's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mercer takes a swing at Dent's ribcage but misses.
Dent bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Mercer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dent keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Mercer closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Dent did well to prevent Mercer getting side control.
Dent controlling the position for now.
Mercer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dent defending well though.
Dent is looking to control Mercer's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dent avoid being mounted?
Mercer is looking to advance position but Dent won't allow it.
Mercer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dent defending well though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Mercer throws a strike but Dent avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Dent trying to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dent throws a jab when Mercer was well out of range.
A solid body kick from Dent.
Mercer misses with a hook to the body
and Dent counters with a nice kick to the body.
Mercer takes a jab right on the kisser.
Mercer looks for a takedown but Dent sprawls well.
Mercer has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Dent.
Dent slips a jab from Mercer.
Dent throws a front kick that sends Mercer stumbling back into the cage.
Dent feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mercer's calf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dent scoring well with a low kick there.
Mercer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dent can pounce on him.
Dent throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Dent tries a head kick but it misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Dent.
Mercer throws a combination. Dent tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Mercer is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Dent rather than just go for the knockout.
Dent jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Mercer's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mercer takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Mercer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dent throws a head kick but Mercer moves out of range.

Mercer 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.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dent is adopting a defensive guard.
Mercer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer throws and elbow that misses. Dent uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mercer's guard. Nice move by Dent!
Mercer is trying to control the position but Dent postures up.
Mercer wants to sweep here but Dent controlling him for the moment.
Dent trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dent wants to stand but Mercer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Dent stopping the sweep attempt from Mercer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dent throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Dent tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Dent. No joy for Mercer on that attempt.
Dent throws a head kick that misses.

Mercer scores with a takedown into Dent's guard.
Dent has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Dent is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Mercer throws a big right hand that misses.
Mercer wants to pass the guard but Dent is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Curtis Dent.
I think Dent 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Curtis Dent!