PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Merik Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy McCall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunt comes to the cage accompanied by Comfortably Numb. McCall has chosen Biffy Clyro - Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies as his entrance music. Merik Hunt could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Tommy McCall's chin.

Hunt
vs
McCall

175 cm
28
170 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

161 cm
32
154 lbs
21 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Merik Hunt!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Tommy McCall!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCall on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hunt. Hunt obviously looking to wear him down.
Hunt tried to score with a low kick but McCall checks it.
Hunt is looking to chop away at McCall's legs.
Hunt moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hunt checks a low kick from McCall.
McCall rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hunt moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hunt getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McCall takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A telegraphed right hand from McCall misses the target.
McCall lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hunt circles away quickly and effectively.
Hunt scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hunt moves out of range of the body kick from McCall.
McCall walks into a jab.
Hunt looks to score with a jab to the body but McCall is just out of range.
Hunt misses with a wild body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCall ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hunt moves away.
Hunt throws a hook but McCall blocks it.
McCall tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McCall.
McCall with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hunt throws a chopping leg kick but McCall manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tommy McCall is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCall cracks a nice hook into Hunt's ribs.
McCall takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hunt motions for McCall to come forward. Hunt throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hunt dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McCall. That did some damage!
Hunt slips a jab and a cross from McCall.
McCall scores with a shot to the body.
Hunt scores with a crisp jab that stopped McCall in his tracks.
A thudding body kick lands there by McCall!
Hunt lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hunt connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCall pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Hunt back to the cage. McCall follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hunt takes a shot to the body in his stride.
McCall's corner calls for a 1-2. McCall obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCall uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hunt.
Hunt misses with a hook. McCall ducked under it nicely.
McCall takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hunt takes one to the side of the head.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hunt!
Hunt catches McCall with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
McCall misses with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hunt. McCall does a little dance to reset his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCall. Hunt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hunt misses with a wild body shot.
McCall misses with a low kick.
The crowd cheers as Hunt lands an impressive looking overhand right. McCall doesn't seem phased though.
Hunt connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hunt takes a swing at McCall's ribcage but misses.
A low kick from Hunt misses
and McCall counters with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt fakes a jab and throws a low kick but McCall checks it well.
McCall throws a leg kick that is checked

and Hunt counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hunt postures up.
Hunt postures up in McCall's guard and throws a big left but McCall blocks it.
Hunt keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McCall's head.
Hunt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hunt trying to control the position from guard on top but McCall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCall utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hunt's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hunt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hunt tries to free his leg and advance position but McCall is retaining full guard.
Hunt distracts McCall with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hunt is looking to work some ground and pound but McCall has wrist control.
Hunt is looking to work some ground and pound but McCall has wrist control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hunt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hunt trying to control but McCall is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merik Hunt dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McCall throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hunt.
Hunt walks into a stiff left hand from McCall.
Hunt throws a big shot that misses.
Hunt is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Hunt takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
McCall lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hunt. That's going to slow McCall down.
Hunt takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McCall throws a series of punches but Hunt avoids them all with ease.
Hunt tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McCall scores with a punch to the head.
McCall connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hunt. Hunt circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hunt scores with a nice strike.
McCall connects with a body shot that sends Hunt's belly button to the back.
McCall swinging wildly here.
Hunt connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCall motions for Hunt to come forward. McCall throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hunt shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McCall is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hunt rather than just go for the knockout.
Hunt lunges at McCall with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McCall's hand.
McCall throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
McCall looks to score with a jab to the body but Hunt is just out of range.
Hunt takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hunt.
McCall throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McCall throws a low kick but Hunt avoids it.
Hunt throws a leg kick
and McCall counters with a straight right hand.
A good leg kick by McCall.
Hunt pushes McCall away with a front kick.

McCall gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCall avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hunt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hunt pushes down on McCall's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McCall blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hunt.
Hunt sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McCall defending well though.
McCall tries to get to full guard but Hunt has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hunt throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hunt is pressing down on McCall's thigh, looking to free his foot. McCall is holding on for now.
Hunt will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hunt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hunt is looking to take a break and control but McCall is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hunt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Merik Hunt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCall wants to control but Hunt is keeping busy and won't allow it.
McCall regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Hunt.
Hunt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McCall has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hunt throwing strikes from guard but McCall blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merik Hunt dominated that second round.
That's time! Hunt's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hunt throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
McCall finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
McCall throws a nice inside leg kick.
McCall lands a leg kick that knocks Hunt off balance momentarily.
Hunt avoids the body shot from McCall.
Hunt misses with a leg kick.
McCall misses with a double jab.
Hunt 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.
McCall swings widly with a right hand

and Hunt counters with a shoot takedown. McCall fights it but they end up in guard.
Hunt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hunt throws an elbow that misses. McCall uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hunt's guard. Nice move by McCall!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hunt wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hunt's guard.
McCall won't allow Hunt to sweep him here.
McCall must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Merik Hunt wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A nice inside leg kick there by McCall. That's going to slow Hunt down.
McCall is looking to score with low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCall takes one to the chin there.
Merik Hunt is winning the standup battle so far.
McCall tries to work over Hunt's front leg with a kick but Hunt checks it.
A solid leg kick lands there for McCall.
McCall throws a chopping leg kick but Hunt manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hunt is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hunt is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCall.
Donk. Hunt catches McCall right on the button with a cross.
That kick from McCall tenderised Hunt's leg. Hunt is trying to keep his angry face on.
McCall fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hunt manages to avoid it.
McCall throws a leg kick but Hunt checks it.
McCall throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hunt takes one on the button.
Hunt throws a jab when McCall was well out of range.
Hunt walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McCall checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
McCall misses with a jab, cross combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Donk. Hunt catches McCall right on the button with a cross.
Tommy McCall is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCall walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hunt ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hunt jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hunt jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hunt misses with a hook. McCall ducked under it nicely.
McCall misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Hunt counters with a takedown into side control.
Hunt working the ground and pound.

McCall is rocked!
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!
McCall prevents Hunt from improving position.
McCall is still in real trouble! Can Hunt finish him?
Hunt throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Hunt working the ground and pound but McCall is defending the strikes.
Hunt misses with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hunt throws an elbow but McCall slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt throws a strike aimed at the side of McCall's head but McCall avoids it well.
McCall defending against the ground and pound.
McCall seems to have recovered his senses.
McCall is not content to let Hunt control the position.
An elbow from Hunt crashes against the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Hunt throws an elbow but McCall slips to the side and avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merik Hunt clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McCall misses with a body shot.
McCall blocks a head kick by Hunt.
McCall just misses with a punch to the body.
Hunt misses with a series of wild punches.
Good work by Hunt as he checks the leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hunt.
McCall throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hunt throws a leg kick but McCall checks it.
Hunt swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hunt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCall was well out of range. Poor timing from Hunt.
Hunt with a hook.
McCall scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Good work by McCall as he checks the leg kick.
McCall's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hunt connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! McCall scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
McCall uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hunt.
McCall ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hunt is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hunt scoring well with a low kick there.
Hunt uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCall.
Hunt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCall manages to avoid it.
Hunt scores with the left hand. McCall knows he should have avoided that one.
Hunt tries for a takedown but McCall sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McCall misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hunt fails to land the takedown.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hunt throws a leg kick but McCall moved away.
Hunt throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McCall throws a body punch but Hunt moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt feints and then cracks McCall's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McCall down.
Hunt throws a poor cross that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
McCall just misses with a punch to the body.
McCall throws a body punch but Hunt moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hunt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McCall's waist but McCall gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hunt off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Merik Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McCall throws a leg kick that misses.
McCall moves away from the strike by Hunt.
McCall cracks the inside of Hunt's front leg.
McCall scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Good leg kick by McCall there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
McCall goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hunt bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McCall 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 Hunt has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hunt and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
McCall misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCall lands a jab to the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hunt. That's going to slow McCall down.
Hunt thows a leg kick but McCall checks it
and McCall counters with a low kick, right behind Hunt 's knee.
McCall checks a low kick from Hunt.
Hunt blocks a jab.
McCall lands a two punch combo.
Hunt throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McCall.
Hunt wants to land a leg kick but McCall is out of range.
McCall scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hunt shoots in looking for a takedown but McCall manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hunt's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Some wild striking there from McCall.
Hunt walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McCall checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hunt checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCall feints and then cracks Hunt's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hunt down.
McCall will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McCall stuns Hunt with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hunt throws a leg kick but McCall sees it coming and moves out of range.
McCall misses with a few strikes there.
McCall misses with a series of wild punches.
Hunt tries a low kick but McCall avoids it.
Hunt is looking to chop away at McCall's legs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Some wild striking there from McCall.
Hunt is looking to score with low kicks.
Hunt 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.
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 Merik Hunt will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hunt lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McCall chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hunt can pounce on him.
McCall pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCall thows a body shot but no joy.
McCall just misses with a punch to the body.
McCall throws the kick towards the body but Hunt avoids it.
McCall misses with a jab, cross combination.

Hunt 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.
Hunt trying to control the position from guard on top but McCall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hunt throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt wants to pass the guard but McCall is keeping the position.
Hunt is in close to McCall's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hunt wants to control from the top but McCall keeps moving.
McCall controls Hunt momentarily but Hunt frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of McCall's head.
Hunt postures up in McCall's guard and throws a big left but McCall blocks it.
Hunt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hunt throws an elbow that misses. McCall uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hunt's guard. Nice move by McCall!
McCall wants to stand but Hunt is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tommy McCall has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
McCall misses with a low kick.
McCall shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McCall misses with a wild body shot.
McCall connects with an inside leg kick.
Hunt turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McCall lands with a nice body punch.
Hunt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCall throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
McCall connects with a body shot.
Tommy McCall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McCall misses with a leg kick

and Hunt counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McCall trying to hold on to Hunt's head to control him but Hunt postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCall avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunt.
Hunt lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hunt throwing shots but McCall is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt looks to land a strike but McCall avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Merik Hunt showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hunt 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 49:46
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 50:45
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merik Hunt!
Merik Hunt retains his lightweight title!
A very excited looking Merik Hunt made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.