PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Mercurius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alun James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mercurius's entrance music is Amplifier - The Wave. A fine choice. James has chosen Carry Me Home as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Mercurius
vs
James

181 cm
26
180 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

190 cm
30
175 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Popeye’s Spinach - 159 + 158 Proof Supps
Perkele!

GMMA Supplements 160
GMMA Supplements 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rocky Mercurius!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alun James!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercurius misses with a wild combination.
James misses the shot to the body.
James takes a swing at Mercurius's ribcage but misses.
Mercurius ducks under a wild hook from James.
Mercurius checks a leg kick nicely.
Mercurius is looking to land body kicks.
James throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
James lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mercurius fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and James has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
James connects with a body shot.
Mercurius misses with a leg kick.
Mercurius avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mercurius misses with a wild body shot.
James swings for the body but Mercurius moves out of range.
James looks to land a left hand but Mercurius moved out of range nicely.
Mercurius wants to clinch
and James makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercurius tries to close the distance and clinch but James swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
James lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mercurius throws a right hand that misses
enabling James to counter with a crisp jab.
Mercurius misses with a body kick.
James lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercurius's sensitive parts.
Mercurius looks to land a left hand but James moved out of range nicely.
James tries a low kick but Mercurius avoids it.
Mercurius looks to score with a jab to the body but James is just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from James. Mercurius does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mercurius is looking to land body kicks.
James is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Mercurius rather than just go for the knockout.
Mercurius throws a leg kick but James moved away.
James throws a hook but Mercurius blocks it.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mercurius was well out of range. Poor timing from James.
Mercurius lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mercurius throws a leg kick but James sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius throws the kick towards the body but James avoids it.
James throws a jab but it's blocked by Mercurius.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mercurius.
A jab lands there for James.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James misses the jab.
James lands a glancing blow to the side of Mercurius's head.
Mercurius looks to land a right hand but James moved out of range.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercurius moves away.
Donk. Mercurius catches James right on the button with a cross.
James takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mercurius avoids the body shot from James.
James throws a body punch but Mercurius moves out of range.
James misses the shot to the body.
James throws a hook but Mercurius avoids it easily.
James throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
James pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by James.
James walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
James throws a hook but Mercurius blocks it.
A telegraphed right hand from James misses the target.
James blocks a jab.
Mercurius looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
James swings for the body but Mercurius moves out of range.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mercurius was well out of range. Poor timing from James.
Mercurius throws a low kick but James avoids it.
James swings for the body but Mercurius moves out of range.
Mercurius throws a lazy right hand but James sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Alun James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
James throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercurius sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from James. Mercurius does a little dance to reset his feet.
James works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James swings for the body but Mercurius moves out of range.
Mercurius dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James swings for the body but Mercurius moves out of range.
Mercurius throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck James on the side of the head.
Mercurius swings and misses with a hook to the body.
James throws a sloppy body shot
and Mercurius counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercurius moves away.
Mercurius finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
James lands a jab to the nose.
James takes a swing at Mercurius's ribcage but misses.
James lands a nice shot that snaps Mercurius's head back.
Rocky Mercurius is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James just misses with a punch to the body.
A combination from James does no damage.
Mercurius throws a front kick that sends James stumbling back into the cage.

Mercurius gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alun James dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

An inside leg kick from Mercurius misses.
James lands with a straight right. Mercurius didn't see that one coming.
Mercurius throws a leg kick but James moved away.
Mercurius will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mercurius tests James's chin there with a solid looking shot.
James rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mercurius moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
James slips under a jab.
Good exchange - Mercurius coming out on top.
James thows a body shot but no joy.
Mercurius connects with a good right hand that stumbles James. James circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Mercurius looks to land a left hand but James moved out of range nicely.
Mercurius turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mercurius throws the left hand but James avoids the punch easily.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mercurius was well out of range. Poor timing from James.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws the left hand but Mercurius avoids the punch easily.
James throws a chopping leg kick but Mercurius manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
James uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mercurius.
James swings for the body but Mercurius moves out of range.
Alun James seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Mercurius.
James pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mercurius is out of range and James settles back down.
Mercurius connects with a leg kick. James looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Mercurius looks to throw the jab but James is out of range.
Mercurius throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
James throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Mercurius crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from James - the referee stops the clock and Mercurius gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says James. Mercurius manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
James's corner calls for a 1-2. James obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
James misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James stalks Mercurius and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mercurius's face. Mercurius staggers backwards, shaken.
Mercurius lands a nice hook to James's body. James takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
James throws a series of punches but Mercurius moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nice defenses there by James.
Mercurius throws a shot to the body.
Mercurius checks a leg kick.
Mercurius misses with a kick to the body.
Mercurius fakes high and swings low for a body shot but James manages to avoid it.
James throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercurius sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mercurius looks to score with a jab to the body but James is just out of range.
James checks the leg kick.
James scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mercurius takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A jab from Mercurius misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius throws a left and a right that both miss
and James counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
James throws a hook but Mercurius avoids it easily.
James lands a jab.
James throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mercurius counters with a stiff right hand.
James is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice uppercut lands for James. That snapped Mercurius's head back.
James misses the shot to the body.
Mercurius scores with a jab to the head.
Mercurius misses with a straight right.
James blocks a leg kick.
Mercurius moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
James has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A big right from James misses.
That kick from Mercurius tenderised James's leg. James is trying to keep his angry face on.
James blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James ducks under a wild hook from Mercurius.
Mercurius lands the left hand.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
James misses with a series of wild punches.
Mercurius bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mercurius staying out of range there.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercurius.
James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mercurius dips to his left and cracks James with an uppercut!
Mercurius slips a jab from James.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercurius slips a jab from James.
Mercurius works over James's head and body with a nice combination.
Mercurius lands a straight punch to the body, keeping James at a distance.
James throws a right hand that misses
and Mercurius counters with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Mercurius dominated that second round.
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.

Mercurius misses with a body shot.
James shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
James moves out of range of the strikes.
James scores with a shot to the body.
James steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mercurius.
James displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mercurius throws out the jab.
James misses with a jab to the body
and Mercurius counters with a nice body kick.
Danga de danga de dang - James scores with a four punch combination!
Mercurius keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mercurius thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mercurius checks the leg kick.
Mercurius cracks James with a good jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mercurius checks a leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Mercurius.
Mercurius with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercurius lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
James throws a right hand that misses
and Mercurius counters with a left to the body.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A low kick from James misses
and Mercurius counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mercurius ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mercurius lands a glancing blow to the side of James's head.
A jab from James misses.
Mercurius throws a push kick but James slaps the foot to one side.
James moves out of range as Mercurius throws a body kick.
James looks to land a left hand but Mercurius moved out of range nicely.
Mercurius lands a body shot.
Mercurius takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mercurius swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Mercurius misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from James.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mercurius has James up 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!
Mercurius misses with some punches.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercurius blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercurius tries to throw a body punch but James avoids it by throwing Mercurius back against the cage.
Mercurius misses with a body punch.
Mercurius scores with a shot to the side of James's head.
Mercurius lands a right hand.
James lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mercurius backwards.
Mercurius wants to take the fight to the mat but James manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
James trying to control the position but instead, Mercurius has worked for underhooks and has pushed James into the cage.
Mercurius prevents a body shot from James.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mercurius.
James lands with a short shot to the head.
Mercurius blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from James.
A head punch on the inside from Mercurius fails to land.
Mercurius tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
James tries to stall but Mercurius uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mercurius tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from James on the inside.
James blocks a body shot from Mercurius.
Mercurius lands an uppercut.
Mercurius misses with the head strike.
James blocks an uppercut.
James wants to stall.
James's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James pulls Mercurius into guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Mercurius works over James with some ground and pound from guard.
Mercurius trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

James working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Mercurius has passed into half guard!
Mercurius slips a nice elbow through James's hands, connecting with James's forehead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James has a hand on Mercurius's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Mercurius takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Mercurius can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as James is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Mercurius clearly takes that round.
That's time! Mercurius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

James walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mercurius checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nice straight punches there by Mercurius. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mercurius.
Mercurius scores with a jab to the head.
James dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mercurius throws a head kick but James moves out of range.
Mercurius tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but James paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A lazy left from James finds it's target.
James throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
James takes a swing at Mercurius's ribcage but misses.
Mercurius misses with a looping right.
Mercurius fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mercurius avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercurius moves away.
Mercurius throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
James swings widly with a right hand
and Mercurius counters with a stiff right hand.
Mercurius tries to close the distance and clinch but James swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
James checks a low kick from Mercurius.
James looks to land a left hand but Mercurius moved out of range nicely.
Mercurius staying out of range there.
James misses with a takedown attempt - Mercurius sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
James scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
James displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mercurius throws out the jab.
James takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mercurius misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James tests Mercurius's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A slapping body kick lands there for Mercurius.
James takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A jab from James misses.
James tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mercurius throws a leg kick but James sees it coming and moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mercurius turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
James fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
James is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
James scores with a punch to the head.
Mercurius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but James moves away.
Mercurius fails in his attempt to clinch.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mercurius was well out of range. Poor timing from James.
James bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
James has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
James misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mercurius thows a body shot but no joy.
A big right from James misses.
James's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mercurius avoids the body shot from James.
Mercurius fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches James on the side of the head.
Mercurius smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
James moves out of range as Mercurius strikes.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
James throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
James working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Mercurius slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
James throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mercurius defending well though.
James wants to take a breather but Mercurius is having none of it.

James wants to work for an arm triangle but Mercurius is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mercurius is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of James's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take James's back!
James turns into Mercurius and is now in his guard.
James preventing the sweep.
James has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercurius trying to control the position here.
James won't allow Mercurius to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Rocky Mercurius will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mercurius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

James throws a big shot that misses.
James takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
James has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Mercurius.
Mercurius attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
James fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mercurius manages to avoid it.
Mercurius avoids the body shot from James.

James shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than James was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
James throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
James working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Mercurius slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
James wants to pass to mount but Mercurius is defending the position.
James lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is keen to just control but Mercurius is a slippery customer.
Mercurius on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
James missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
James thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mercurius makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mercurius.
Mercurius is adopting a defensive guard.
James sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mercurius's guard.
Alun James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
James misses with a head shot. Mercurius uses the momentum to regain guard.
James trying to control but Mercurius is working from the bottom.
Mercurius keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James is looking to work some ground and pound but Mercurius has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
James misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
James tries to score with some ground and pound. Mercurius controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
James in side control lands a decent elbow.
James looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Mercurius is avoiding damage well.
Alun James has got the better of the ground game so far.

James working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
James scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Mercurius to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James is working Mercurius over with some ground and pound from side control.
I wouldn't like to be where Mercurius is right now.
Mercurius is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Rocky Mercurius is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
James scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mercurius manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
James throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercurius is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
James makes his way to full guard. A much better position for James.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alun James comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mercurius 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 48:48
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:47
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rocky Mercurius!
Rocky Mercurius retains his welterweight title!
Rocky Mercurius really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Perkele! logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.