PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Armin Merkel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jubei Kitagami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Merkel comes to the cage accompanied by War Is My Destiny. Armin Merkel could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jubei Kitagami's chin.

Merkel
vs
Kitagami

225 cm
29
300 lbs
16 - 2 - 0

205 cm
25
295 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Revolution Fatigues

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Armin Merkel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jubei Kitagami!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merkel scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kitagami doesn't seem bothered though.
Merkel gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kitagami.
Kitagami throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Merkel scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kitagami misses with a body punch.
A short right from Kitagami on the inside.
Kitagami lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kitagami doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Merkel throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kitagami pushes Merkel back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kitagami as Merkel tries to tie him up.

Kitagami breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Merkel rushes Kitagami and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
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!
Kitagami lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kitagami lands a hook that snaps the head of Merkel backwards.
Kitagami doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kitagami scores with a hook to the body.
Merkel blocks an uppercut.
Kitagami is working Merkel over against the cage.
A body shot lands from Kitagami.
Merkel is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kitagami struggles to land a body shot inside as Merkel controls his hands.
Kitagami stalls.
Merkel blocks a body shot from Kitagami.

Kitagami escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kitagami attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kitagami ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Merkel moves away.
Kitagami misses with an attempted mid kick.

Merkel clinches with his opponent.
Merkel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kitagami is trying to stall.
Kitagami lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short right from Kitagami.
Merkel can't find room to land a body shot as Kitagami controls the action.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kitagami as Merkel tries to tie him up.
Kitagami blocks a body shot from Merkel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merkel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kitagami stalling.
A right hook to the body lands for Kitagami.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Kitagami breaks the clinch.
Kitagami throws a body kick that misses.
Kitagami misses with a low kick.

Merkel clinches up against the cage.
Kitagami throws a punch but it's blocked by Merkel.
Kitagami scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kitagami scores with a shoulder strike.
Merkel wants to stall.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kitagami creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short right from Merkel.
Merkel pushes Kitagami back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Merkel blocks a body shot from Kitagami.
Kitagami lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kitagami fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kitagami content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kitagami throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merkel lands a body shot.
Kitagami throws a head punch that misses.
Merkel taking a breather.
Merkel tries to land knees in the clinch but Kitagami avoids the damage to the body.
Kitagami working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A bit of stalling here from Kitagami.
Merkel stalling against the cage.
Merkel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Merkel swings wildly with an uppercut but Kitagami uses good head movement to avoid it.
Merkel trying to control the position but instead, Kitagami has worked for underhooks and has pushed Merkel into the cage.
Merkel stalling against the cage.
Kitagami can't find room to land a body shot as Merkel controls the action.
Kitagami doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kitagami misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kitagami is trying to stall.
Merkel prevents a body shot from Kitagami.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kitagami lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kitagami lands a hook that snaps the head of Merkel backwards.
Kitagami working aggressively here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kitagami.
Merkel misses with a body punch.
Merkel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Merkel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kitagami lands a hook to the side of the head.
Merkel tries a body shot but Kitagami blocks it.
Kitagami is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Merkel is keeping busy.
Kitagami lands a body punch.
Kitagami lands a body shot in the clinch.
Merkel taking a breather.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kitagami leaning his opponent against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kitagami lands a nice uppercut.
Kitagami stalling in the clinch but Merkel improves position.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kitagami as Merkel tries to tie him up.
Kitagami can't find room to land a body shot as Merkel controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jubei Kitagami dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kitagami will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Kitagami gets tackled into the cage by Merkel. Merkel maintains the clinch.
Kitagami lands with a short shot to the head.
Kitagami tries to work over Merkel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kitagami working hard to break the clinch.
Kitagami swings wildly with an uppercut but Merkel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kitagami trying to stall but Merkel improves his position.
Merkel lands a nice shot to the body.
Merkel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Merkel keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kitagami's efforts to push away.
Merkel leaning against his opponent.
Kitagami controlling the action here for a moment.
Merkel blocking some punches.
Kitagami tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Merkel's elbow.
Kitagami is trying to maintain a safe position but Merkel gets an underhook and turns Kitagami into the cage.
Merkel cracks Kitagami with a nice body shot.
Kitagami tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kitagami is breathing heavily.

Kitagami breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Merkel.

Kitagami forces Merkel back against the cage and clinches.
A hook to the body from Merkel.
Merkel scores with a hook to the body.
Jubei Kitagami seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Merkel content to slow the pace in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Merkel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Merkel displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kitagami up against the cage.
Merkel seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Merkel is leaning against Kitagami and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Merkel is working Kitagami over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stalling in the clinch from Merkel.
Kitagami blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Merkel lands with a light punch inside.

It looks like Jubei Kitagami has been cut.
Come on Merkel - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Armin Merkel.

Merkel clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merkel dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Merkel lands a shoulder strike.
A bit of stalling here from Kitagami.
Kitagami goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kitagami is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Merkel keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kitagami's efforts to push away.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kitagami doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Merkel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kitagami fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Merkel.
Kitagami throws a punch but it's blocked by Merkel.
Nice body punch from Merkel - that landed with a thud.
A short body shot lands from Merkel as the two fighters clinch.
Kitagami throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kitagami escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Merkel forces Kitagami back against the cage and clinches.
Kitagami pushes Merkel back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kitagami stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kitagami scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kitagami misses with a punch to the body.
Merkel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kitagami misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Merkel lands a body shot.
Merkel manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Merkel lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kitagami blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Merkel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Merkel is stalling here.
Merkel scores with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Merkel stalling against the cage.
Merkel lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitagami can't find room to land a body shot as Merkel controls the action.
Merkel lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kitagami has a couple of punches blocked by Merkel.
Merkel pushes Kitagami back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Merkel.
Kitagami swings wildly with an uppercut but Merkel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Merkel leaning against his opponent.
Kitagami throws a head punch that misses.
Kitagami tries to work over Merkel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Merkel prevents a body shot from Kitagami.
Merkel taking a breather.
Kitagami misses with a shot to the kidneys.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Merkel stalling in the clinch.
Kitagami throws a punch but it's blocked by Merkel.
Kitagami struggles to land a body shot inside as Merkel controls his hands.
Kitagami looking to slow down the pace here.
Kitagami letting Merkel take a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armin Merkel dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jubei Kitagami's cut.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Merkel gets a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Merkel as Kitagami tries to tie him up.
Kitagami tries to throw a body punch but Merkel avoids it by throwing Kitagami back against the cage.
Merkel lands a left hand.
Merkel manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A head punch on the inside from Kitagami fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Merkel.
Merkel throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kitagami goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kitagami tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Merkel's elbow.
Merkel stalling the fight.
Kitagami avoiding damage.
Merkel digs a right hand underneath Kitagami's ribcage. Kitagami let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Merkel is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kitagami takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Merkel taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merkel works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Merkel works on Kitagami's body with a couple of short punches.
Merkel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Merkel prevents a body shot from Kitagami.
Merkel is leaning against Kitagami and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Merkel is stalling here.
Good body shot from Merkel.
Merkel presses Kitagami against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The referee calls for Merkel to work.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Merkel for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
A head punch on the inside from Kitagami fails to land.
Merkel lands a body punch in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stalling in the clinch from Merkel.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Armin Merkel.

Merkel clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitagami misses with the head strike.
Merkel gets through Kitagami's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Kitagami.
Kitagami swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Merkel effectively controlling the action here.
Kitagami misses with some punches.
Merkel avoiding damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Merkel.
Kitagami lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kitagami has Merkel pressed against the cage.
Merkel prevents Kitagami from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitagami fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Merkel blocks an uppercut.
Merkel trying to stall but Kitagami improves his position.
Merkel blocks a body shot from Kitagami.
Kitagami is looking to control Merkel's arms but Merkel gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kitagami has his back to the cage.
Merkel prevents Kitagami from breaking the clinch.
Kitagami stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kitagami stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kitagami scores with a shoulder strike.
Merkel blocks a body shot from Kitagami.
Merkel is leaning against Kitagami and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kitagami is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Merkel is keeping busy.
Merkel lands a hook that snaps the head of Kitagami backwards.
Kitagami goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Merkel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitagami working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Merkel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kitagami.
Kitagami taking a breather.
Kitagami tries a body shot but Merkel blocks it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Merkel scores with a nice hook to the head.
Merkel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kitagami effectively controlling the action here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jubei Kitagami.

Merkel rushes Kitagami and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kitagami is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kitagami is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Merkel has denied him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Merkel has Kitagami pushed against the cage.
Kitagami tries to work over Merkel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kitagami misses with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Armin Merkel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Merkel has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Armin Merkel!