PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Mercurius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Herzog (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mercurius comes into the arena with Amplifier - The Wave blaring out of the sound system. Herzog is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Robert Tepper - No Easy Way Out. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Mercurius
vs
Herzog

181 cm
27
180 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

175 cm
31
172 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

[WOT] GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 !

Resistance

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 16 - 4 - 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 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris Herzog!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crunch! Mercurius slams his shin into Herzog's torso.
Mercurius looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Herzog is fending him off so far but Mercurius persists. Nope, Herzog circles away and we're back to standing.
Herzog avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Herzog moves into range and connects with a jab.
Mercurius lands a really nice looking cross but Herzog seems unphased.
Jab from Herzog.
Mercurius feints and then cracks Herzog's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Herzog down.
Mercurius feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Herzogs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Mercurius moves out of range of the strikes.
Mercurius lands with an uppercut that bounces Herzog off the cage and back into range.
Mercurius tries to clinch up but Herzog circles away and keeps his distance.
Mercurius scores with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Herzog misses with a low kick as Mercurius jumps back.
Mercurius throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rocky Mercurius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mercurius darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mercurius scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Herzog taking some punishment here, with Mercurius in his half guard.
Mercurius wants to lay and pray for a moment but Herzog keeps working.
Mercurius lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mercurius performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Mercurius's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herzog is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius moves nicely into side control.
Mercurius taking a breather here.
Mercurius connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Herzog some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Herzog down.
Herzog is not content to let Mercurius control the position.
Mercurius creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Herzog sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Herzog taking punishment in the form of punches.
Mercurius is trying to ground and pound but Herzog uses the momentary lack of control by Mercurius to regain half guard.
Herzog trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius prevents Herzog from improving his position.
Mercurius thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Herzog's head.
Mercurius is pressing down on Herzog's thigh, looking to free his foot. Herzog is holding on for now.

Herzog has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Mercurius escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Mercurius!
Mercurius lands some shots froms side control.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Herzog is looking for a sweep.
Mercurius working away.
Mercurius working the strikes but Herzog uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Mercurius dominated that 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 takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Herzog buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Herzog lands with a nice body punch.
Mercurius shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mercurius scores with a body shot.
Herzog changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mercurius tries to avoid it but Herzog manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mercurius to the ground. Mercurius escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Herzog throws an overhand right that lands on Mercurius's shoulder, as Mercurius tries to avoid the shot.
A punch lands to the side of Mercurius 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Herzog blocks a head kick by Mercurius.
Mercurius tries to land a body kick
letting Herzog counter with a right hand.
Jab, jab by Mercurius - just one landing.

Herzog shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mercurius is trying to defend but Herzog finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mercurius trying to control but Herzog postures up.
Herzog stalling away here and it's allowed Mercurius to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercurius controlling Herzog's posture.
Herzog throwing strikes from guard but Mercurius blocks nicely.
Herzog throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mercurius works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mercurius wants to sweep here but Herzog controlling him for the moment.
Mercurius controls Herzog momentarily but Herzog frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog throws a big right hand that misses.
Mercurius is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Herzog in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Herzog trying to control but Mercurius is working from the bottom.
Herzog is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Herzog throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercurius sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herzog misses with a right hand
and Mercurius counters with a leg kick.
Mercurius throws a lazy right hand but Herzog sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mercurius wants to clinch up but Herzog keeps it at a distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mercurius thuds his shin into the meat of Herzog's side.
Mercurius tries to clinch but Herzog moves out of range.
Mercurius scoring well with a low kick there.
Mercurius does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Herzog throws a head kick but Mercurius moves out of range.
Mercurius scoring well with a low kick there.
Mercurius throws a shot from downtown. Herzog moves away and avoids it.
Mercurius looks to land a right hand but Herzog moved out of range.
Herzog looks to score with a jab to the body but Mercurius is just out of range.
Mercurius avoids the body shot from Herzog.
Mercurius throws a low kick, looking for Herzog's leg but Herzog calmly moves out of range.

Mercurius closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Herzog quickly recovers to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mercurius with the ground and pound but Herzog uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mercurius's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Mercurius with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mercurius trying to control but Herzog is working from the bottom.

Herzog throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mercurius pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Herzog is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Herzog has momentary wrist control but Mercurius slips an elbow through the middle.
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 lands with a thumping leg kick.
Herzog takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mercurius looks to score with a jab to the body but Herzog is just out of range.
Herzog blocks a low kick nicely.
Herzog keeps the fight on the outside.

Mercurius gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Herzog trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercurius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Herzog throws an elbow that misses. Mercurius uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Herzog's guard. Nice move by Mercurius!
Herzog manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mercurius manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog wants to control from the top but Mercurius keeps moving.
Mercurius lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Herzog!
Herzog is trying to escape the mount.
Mercurius lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog is in a horrible position here. Mercurius smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Mercurius 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.
Herzog is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mercurius tries to control but Herzog wriggling away.
Mercurius raining down shots from the mount!
Mercurius takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
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 landing strikes from the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Mercurius working Herzog over with strikes here.
Herzog working to try and regain half guard.
Mercurius scoring with strikes but Herzog is staying in there.
Herzog is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Mercurius can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Herzog is looking to escape.
Herzog bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog throws a big right hand that misses.
Mercurius seems keen to control Herzog's posture.
Mercurius keeping moving, preventing Herzog from controlling successfully.
Mercurius is trying to control the position but Herzog postures up.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mercurius pulls Herzog in close to prevent any damage.
Mercurius can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Herzog controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Mercurius clearly takes that 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.

Herzog defending well as Mercurius loads up on a big left hand.
Mercurius misses with a body shot.
Mercurius lands with an overhand left.
Herzog digs a good hook to Mercurius's body.
Herzog takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Herzog throws a head kick that misses.
Mercurius lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Herzog scores with a decent looking hook.
Mercurius takes a swing at Herzog's ribcage but misses.
Herzog works Mercurius's body with a nice hook.
Herzog bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mercurius's head backwards.
Herzog looks to score with a jab to the body but Mercurius is just out of range.
Mercurius throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mercurius throws a wild body kick that Herzog sees coming a mile off.
Mercurius shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Rocky Mercurius is winning the standup battle so far.
Herzog thumps Mercurius with a low kick.
Mercurius lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercurius looks to land a right hand but Herzog moved out of range.
Mercurius throws a head kick that misses.
Herzog stuffs the takedown.
Mercurius swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Herzog blocks the leg kick.
Mercurius throws a half hearted mid kick.
Herzog feints and then cracks Mercurius's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mercurius down.
Jab by Herzog.
Herzog thumps Mercurius with a low kick.
Mercurius is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Mercurius on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Mercurius will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Mercurius lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Herzog has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Herzog and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mercurius.
Mercurius showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Herzog.
Herzog throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mercurius's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius walks into a jab.
Herzog takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
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 a straight left.
Herzog throws the kick towards the body but Mercurius avoids it.
Herzog will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Jab from Mercurius.
Mercurius shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A lazy left from Mercurius finds it's target.
Mercurius has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mercurius there as he acknowledges the shot.
Herzog's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Herzog duly obliges.
Herzog digs a good body shot into Mercurius's ribs.
Herzog bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mercurius blocks a head kick by Herzog.
Herzog misses with a few strikes there.
Herzog buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Mercurius fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Herzog, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Mercurius.
Herzog is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A right hand to the body from Mercurius.
Mercurius trying to control the position but instead, Herzog has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mercurius into the cage.
Mercurius can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
Mercurius scores with a shot to the side of Herzog's head.
Herzog is working Mercurius over against the cage.
Mercurius is working Herzog over against the cage.
Mercurius tries a body shot but Herzog blocks it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Mercurius swings wildly with an uppercut but Herzog uses good head movement to avoid it.
Herzog lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Herzog breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Herzog throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mercurius's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Herzog connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mercurius scrambles back to his feet.
Herzog pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mercurius connects with the punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Herzog fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mercurius looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Herzog checks a low kick from Mercurius.
Herzog changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mercurius tries to avoid it but Herzog manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mercurius to the ground. Mercurius escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mercurius.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mercurius.
An inside leg kick from Herzog misses.
Mercurius shoots in for a takedown but Herzog shows good takedown defense.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Crunch! Mercurius slams his shin into Herzog's torso.
Mercurius pushes Herzog away with a front kick.
Mercurius tries to score with a low kick but Herzog moves his leg out of the way.
Mercurius showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Herzog.
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.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Herzog misses with a wild body shot.
A head kick misses from Herzog.

Mercurius rushes Herzog and presses him up against the cage.
Herzog wants to get back to striking at distance but Mercurius won't allow it.
Herzog gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mercurius.
Mercurius throws a head punch that misses.
Mercurius is trying to stall.
Mercurius misses with a hook from the clinch.
Herzog prevents a body shot from Mercurius.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Herzog as Mercurius tries to tie him up.
Herzog wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog looking for a takedown.
Mercurius lands with a light punch inside.
Herzog wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A body shot lands from Mercurius.
Herzog wants to get back to striking at distance but Mercurius won't allow it.
Mercurius gets through Herzog's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A bit of stalling here from Mercurius.
Mercurius prevents Herzog from breaking the clinch.
Mercurius wants to stall.
Herzog blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mercurius lands with a short shot to the head.
Herzog is pressed up against the cage. Mercurius has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Herzog down to the mat. Herzog avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mercurius throws a series of punches but Herzog moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Herzog.
Mercurius misses with a looping right.
Chris Herzog has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Herzog can pounce on him.
Mercurius misses with a leg kick
and Herzog counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Herzog lands a jab to Mercurius's midsection.
Herzog shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mercurius pinned against the cage. Mercurius gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Herzog moves out of range of the body kick from Mercurius.
Mercurius lands with a cross.

Mercurius looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Mercurius has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
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.
Mercurius punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercurius working the ground and pound effectively.
Herzog working to try and regain half guard.
Mercurius landing strikes from the mount and Herzog is in trouble!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog regains half guard.
Mercurius thows a huge punch but Herzog dodges it nicely.
Herzog makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Herzog.
Rocky Mercurius is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Herzog is on top in guard.
Herzog cracks Mercurius with a solid left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Herzog won't allow Mercurius to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocky Mercurius showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mercurius 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocky Mercurius!
Rocky Mercurius retains his welterweight title!
An out of breath and clearly excited Rocky Mercurius thanked Down Under - Supplements.160Q Video Proof for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).