PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Herring (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bovver Meerten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Herring
vs
Meerten

192 cm
23
275 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

194 cm
21
220 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frank Herring!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bovver Meerten!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Meerten shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Herring as he jumps to the side.

Meerten closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Herring did well to prevent Meerten getting side control.

Meerten 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.
Meerten trying to control the action but Herring is working from the bottom.

Meerten is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herring is trying to stand.

Meerten seems to be looking for submissions.
Meerten wants to control but Herring is keeping him busy.

Meerten is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Herring defends it well.

Meerten gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

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.
Meerten avoids a punch combination nicely.
Herring throws a nice looking combination but Meerten bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Frank Herring seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Herring throws a head kick but Meerten moves out of range.
Herring throws a nice looking combination but Meerten bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Herring misses with a series of wild punches.
Herring fails to land with a series of punches.
Meerten moves away from the strike by Herring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Meerten.
Meerten fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Herring avoids it really well and circles away.
Frank Herring has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bovver Meerten.
Herring lunges at Meerten with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Meerten's hand.

It looks like Bovver Meerten has been cut.
Herring swinging wildly here.
Herring throws a right hand that Meerten ducks under and follows up with a left that Meerten also avoids with ease.
Meerten looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Herring lands a lovely overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Meerten shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Herring pinned against the cage. Herring gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Meerten fails to land the takedown.
Meerten looks gassed!
Meerten slips a jab and a cross from Herring.
Meerten blocks a head kick by Herring.
Meerten throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Herring's head.
Meerten looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Herring tries to bum rush Meerten with a series of wild strikes but Meerten uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Herring misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Herring dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bovver Meerten's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Herring throws a right hand that Meerten ducks under and follows up with a left that Meerten also avoids with ease.
Meerten lands a high kick!
Herring throws a lazy head kick

and Meerten counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Herring's guard now.
Meerten advances to half guard.

Meerten is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Herring has managed to free his arm - good work.
Meerten is trying to control the action in half guard but Herring is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Meerten is working for a submission of some sort.

Meerten is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Herring still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Herring has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Meerten is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Herring stands up and beckons Meerten to his feet.

Meerten moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Meerten breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Meerten shoots for a takedown but Herring saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Herring misses with a series of wild punches.
Herring misses with a double jab

and Meerten counters with a takedown into side control.

Meerten working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Meerten tries to advance to mount but Herring denies him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Meerten wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Herring, who protects the arm well.
Herring is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Meerten trying to control the action but Herring is working from the bottom.
Meerten tries to move into full mount but can't pass Herring's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Meerten trying to control the position but Herring is working away.

Meerten goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Herring has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Meerten but great work by Herring.
Meerten tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Herring wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Herring throws a nice looking combination but Meerten bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bovver Meerten showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bovver Meerten's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Herring misses with a series of wild punches.
Herring throws a lazy head kick

and Meerten decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Herring's guard.
Meerten stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Herring swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Meerten has gone for a leg lock! Herring slips out almost immediately though and dives into Meerten's guard.

Meerten is looking for a triangle here but Herring uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Meerten takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Herring decides to stand up, so the ref orders Meerten to his feet.
Herring pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Meerten is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Meerten blocks a head kick by Herring.

That's two 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.
Meerten shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Herring pinned against the cage. Herring gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Meerten scores a takedown into full mount!
Herring is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Meerten is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Herring will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A solid leg kick lands there for Meerten.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herring throws a left and a right that both miss

and Meerten counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Herring!

Meerten moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Herring has worked his arm free - good work by Herring!

Herring stands up.
Frank Herring is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Meerten with that takedown attempt.
Meerten closes this distance looking for a takedown but Herring circles away.
Frank Herring has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bovver Meerten.
Herring throws the left hand but Meerten avoids the punch easily.
Herring moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from Herring.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Meerten. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Herring connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Bovver Meerten just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Bovver Meerten's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Herring scores with a punch to the head.
Meerten avoids the head kick by Herring.
Nice sprawl there from Herring as Meerten shoots in.
Herring pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Herring swinging wildly here.
Meerten takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Herring misses with a combination

so Meerten counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Meerten stops Herring from standing up.
Meerten looking to pass the guard.
Meerten is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Meerten is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Herring is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Herring has escaped and now he's on top!

Meerten is working an open guard so Herring takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Herring connects with a jab.
Herring throws a nice looking combination but Meerten bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Herring cracks Meerten with an open hand slap.
Meerten staying out of range there.
Herring throws a combination that misses

and Meerten counters with a takedown into side control.

Meerten is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Herring knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Meerten wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Herring, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Herring throws Meerten to one side and escapes!
Herring misses with a two punch combination.

Meerten darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Meerten is trying to work for a kimura but Herring is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meerten tries to stand but can't do so whilst Herring controls his leg.

Herring has one foot on Meerten's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Herring misses with a few strikes there.
Herring misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Bovver Meerten will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Bovver Meerten's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Herring throws a head kick that misses

and Meerten counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Meerten is trying to work for a kimura but Herring is defending well.
Meerten is stalling here. Herring is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Meerten seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Herring has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Bovver Meerten has got the better of the ground game so far.
Meerten is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Herring stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Meerten is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herring looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Herring slaps away a takedown attempt from Meerten, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Herring stuffs the takedown attempt from Meerten. Meerten gets slowly back to his feet.
Meerten tries to close the distance and clinch up but Herring swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two 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.
Herring misses with a double jab.
Herring tries to bum rush Meerten with a series of wild strikes but Meerten uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Herring closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Herring throws the left hand but Meerten avoids the punch easily.
Frank Herring is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Herring lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Frank Herring is winning the standup battle so far.
Herring slaps away a takedown attempt from Meerten, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Frank Herring has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bovver Meerten.
Herring tries to bum rush Meerten with a series of wild strikes but Meerten uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Meerten staying out of range there.
Herring slips a straight right by Meerten.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herring lands a jab-cross combination.

Herring sends Meerten crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Herring is motioning to the referee to let Meerten up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Meerten is rocked!
Herring throws a combination that misses

and Meerten counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Meerten.
Meerten is still in real trouble! Can Herring finish him?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Meerten is looking to advance position but Herring has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Meerten seems to have recovered his senses.

Herring gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Herring scores with a sloppy right hand. Meerten should have avoided that one.
Meerten showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Herring.
Herring throws a right and a left that Meerten avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meerten doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Meerten fails with the takedown.
Herring is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Herring slaps away a takedown attempt from Meerten, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Herring swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fighters circling - Herring throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Meerten tries a head kick but it misses.
Herring fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Herring stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Herring wants it to stay on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Herring showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Meerten 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 Suge Night scores the fight for Frank Herring!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Frank Herring!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Frank Herring!

Frank Herring wins by unanimous decision!
Frank Herring retains his heavyweight title!