PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Chandler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danjie Mercado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mercado is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Pagsubok. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Danjie Mercado enters the cage!

Chandler
vs
Mercado

175 cm
33
159 lbs
34 - 19 - 0

168 cm
33
147 lbs
21 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 19 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcus Chandler!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Danjie Mercado!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercado rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chandler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mercado needs to keep his hands up - Chandler had a free shot at his head there.
Chandler lands an overhand right.
Chandler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mercado has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Chandler finds it's way round the side to connect with Mercado's head.
Chandler looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Chandler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mercado was well out of range. Poor timing from Chandler.

Mercado closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Chandler dodges the ground and pound from Mercado.
Chandler is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercado tries to move into full mount but can't pass Chandler's legs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mercado throws a strike aimed at the side of Chandler's head but Chandler avoids it well.
Chandler is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler wants to control but Mercado postures up.
Mercado wants to control but Chandler is keeping him busy.
Chandler managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Mercado.
Chandler parries the strikes from Mercado easily there. Mercado is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Chandler to escape.

Mercado thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Chandler struggling a bit here.
Mercado landing strikes.
Mercado works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Chandler manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mercado's best efforts.
Mercado prevents Chandler from improving his position.
Mercado sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Chandler defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler is doing well to control the position and prevent Mercado from advancing to side control.
Chandler moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Chandler keeping moving, preventing Mercado from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mercado accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mercado is fighting to break Chandler's control of his arms but Chandler is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Mercado stopping the sweep attempt from Chandler.
Mercado throws a big elbow that misses.
Mercado trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Chandler is looking to sweep but instead, Mercado has passed into half guard.
Mercado not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Chandler wants to improve his position but Mercado is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chandler holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Mercado trying to control the action but Chandler is working from the bottom.
Chandler wants to control but Mercado is keeping busy.
Mercado working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Mercado is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Chandler has managed to free his arm - good work.
Chandler manages to get to full guard.
Mercado wants to pass the guard but Chandler is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercado stopping the sweep attempt from Chandler.
Chandler keeping moving, preventing Mercado from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mercado accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chandler keeping moving, preventing Mercado from controlling successfully.
Chandler is pulling down on Mercado's head. It's preventing any offense from Mercado, at least for the moment.
Mercado trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mercado has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mercado postures up and lands a big shot to Chandler's brow.
Mercado wants to control from the top but Chandler keeps moving.
Chandler not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danjie Mercado dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Chandler keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Chandler tried to score with a low kick but Mercado checks it.
Chandler connects with an inside leg kick.
Chandler throws a front kick that sends Mercado stumbling back into the cage.
Mercado checks a leg kick.
Good work by Mercado as he checks the leg kick.
Chandler misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Chandler as he connects with a hook.
Chandler lands a nice hook to Mercado's body. Mercado takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mercado takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Marcus Chandler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mercado is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
No luck for Mercado with that takedown attempt.
Danjie Mercado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mercado tries for a takedown but Chandler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mercado is trying hard to land a takedown here. Chandler sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Marcus Chandler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danjie Mercado.
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!
Chandler lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercado's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercado shoots in looking for a takedown. Chandler tries to sprawl out of it but Mercado keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Chandler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Chandler cracks the inside of Mercado's front leg.
Mercado 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.
Chandler connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Chandler fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mercado has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Chandler throws a leg kick but Mercado sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Chandler is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Chandler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Decent striking displayed by Chandler there.
Marcus Chandler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Chandler chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercado takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Chandler connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Chandler wants to land a leg kick but Mercado is out of range.
Mercado changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A punch lands to the side of Mercado 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Chandler throws an overhand right that lands on Mercado's shoulder, as Mercado tries to avoid the shot.
Mercado feints the counter takedown.
Chandler chopping away at his opponent's legs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slapping leg kick lands for Chandler.
Chandler is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mercado can do to turn this around?
Mercado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chandler moves away.
Mercado misses the shot to the body.
Mercado fails with a takedown attempt.
Chandler chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mercado closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Chandler gets full guard.
Chandler tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chandler pulls Mercado in close to his closed guard and prevents Mercado from doing any damage or advancing position.
Mercado trying to control the position from guard on top but Chandler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chandler tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mercado advances to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chandler manages to get to full guard.
Chandler is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mercado manages to get himself to full guard.

Mercado looking for a guillotine here but Chandler defends easily.

Mercado is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Chandler stands up over Mercado, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Mercado has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Chandler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Mercado throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Chandler dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Chandler lands with a good body shot.
Mercado avoids a kick to the body.
As Chandler backs off Mercado throws a huge counter combo but Chandler manages to avoid it all.
Chandler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mercado.
Marcus Chandler is winning the standup battle so far.
Mercado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chandler moves away.
Chandler swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Chandler throws an overhand right that lands on Mercado's shoulder, as Mercado tries to avoid the shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Chandler.
Chandler throws a nice outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chandler throws a head kick that misses.
Mercado avoids the head kick by Chandler.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mercado or perhaps it was just good defense by Chandler, which made it look bad.
Chandler works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercado shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Chandler as he jumps to the side.
Marcus Chandler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danjie Mercado.
Mercado tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chandler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mercado somewhat.
Chandler takes a swing at Mercado's ribcage but misses.
Chandler misses with a kick to the body.
Chandler bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mercado's head.
Mercado shoots in and drives through. Chandler sprawls well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mercado.
Chandler throws a quick inside leg kick.
Chandler throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler is looking to slow Mercado down with leg kicks.
Mercado stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Chandler.
A slapping leg kick lands for Chandler.
Chandler scores with a hook.
Mercado throws an overhand right that lands on Chandler's shoulder, as Chandler tries to avoid the shot.
Mercado fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Chandler throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chandler throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mercado.
Mercado on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Mercado gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Chandler.
Both fighters circling a little - Chandler finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A solid body kick from Chandler.
Chandler attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Mercado checks the leg kick.
Mercado drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Chandler defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Chandler.
Mercado takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Mercado misses with a takedown attempt - Chandler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Chandler looks to land a body kick but Mercado moved away.
Mercado shoots in looking for a takedown but Chandler manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mercado's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mercado checks a leg kick nicely.
Mercado is trying hard to land a takedown here. Chandler sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chandler defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mercado.
Mercado takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mercado takes one to the chin there.
Chandler thumps Mercado with a low kick.
Chandler lands a head kick. Mercado smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Chandler connects with a solid leg kick.
Chandler throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler looks for the body kick but Mercado saw that one coming.
Mercado needs to keep his hands up - Chandler had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercado misses with an uppercut.
That kick from Chandler tenderised Mercado's leg. Mercado is trying to keep his angry face on.
Chandler lands a high kick!
Mercado ducks under a wild hook from Chandler.
Chandler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercado moves away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Chandler.
Chandler lands a head kick. Mercado smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Mercado dives in and scores a takedown into Chandler's guard.
Chandler has his hands on Mercado's head, controlling the position.
Danjie Mercado has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chandler wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Chandler clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mercado walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A thudding body kick lands there by Chandler!
Chandler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercado moves away.
Mercado fails with a takedown attempt.
Chandler throws a front kick that sends Mercado stumbling back into the cage.
Chandler lands a leg kick that knocks Mercado off balance momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chandler circles away quickly and effectively.
Chandler tried to counter with a leg kick but Mercado avoided it.
Chandler turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mercado just misses with a punch to the body.
Mercado checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Chandler scores with a jab to the head.
Chandler misses with a kick to the body.
Chandler throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Mercado closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Chandler lunges at Mercado with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mercado's hand.
Chandler misses with a wild body shot.
Chandler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mercado.
Chandler pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mercado has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Chandler fakes the leg kick and cracks Mercado in the body.
Mercado tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chandler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mercado somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Chandler.
Chandler stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Chandler wants it to stay on the feet.
Marcus Chandler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danjie Mercado.
Chandler throws a nice inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chandler lands a leg kick that knocks Mercado off balance momentarily.
Mercado shoots for a takedown but Chandler saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Chandler connects with a body shot.
Chandler with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Good exchange - Chandler coming out on top.
Mercado has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Chandler.
Mercado dives in for a single leg takedown but Chandler sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mercado fails to land the takedown.
Mercado is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Chandler scores with a jab. Mercado acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado dives in and grabs Chandler's left leg, looking for a takedown. Chandler pushes down on Mercado's head and hops out.
Chandler connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Mercado takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mercado slips a jab from Chandler.
Chandler scores with a kick to the midsection.
Chandler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Chandler lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Chandler missing with a left hand there. Mercado was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mercado stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Chandler.
Chandler darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mercado shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mercado takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercado's sensitive parts.
Chandler lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercado's sensitive parts.
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!
Mercado fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chandler manages to avoid it.
Chandler appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Mercado takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Chandler explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Chandler dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mercado. That did some damage!
Chandler throws a leg kick that misses.
Chandler dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mercado swinging wildly here.
Chandler looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Mercado 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.
Mercado darts in looking for a takedown but Chandler gets double underhooks and turns Mercado into the cage.
Chandler looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Chandler lands a glancing blow to the side of Mercado's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Chandler had his way with Danjie Mercado in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Chandler throws out a powerful jab.
Nice takedown defense from Chandler. No joy for Mercado on that attempt.
A good leg kick by Chandler.
That kick from Chandler tenderised Mercado's leg. Mercado is trying to keep his angry face on.
Chandler lets loose with a powerful body kick. Mercado will feel that in the morning.
Chandler throws an overhand right that lands on Mercado's shoulder, as Mercado tries to avoid the shot.
Chandler scores with a hook.
Mercado takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mercado walks forward, straight into a front kick from Chandler.
Mercado misses with a takedown
and Chandler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mercado looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Marcus Chandler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danjie Mercado.
Chandler connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercado looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Chandler is fending him off so far but Mercado persists. Nope, Chandler circles away and we're back to standing.
Chandler lands with a thumping leg kick.
A left lands for Chandler.
Chandler fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mercado.
Chandler lands a leg kick that knocks Mercado off balance momentarily.
Mercado is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Chandler rather than just go for the knockout.
Chandler lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Chandler connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mercado's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A low kick from Chandler is predictable there

and Mercado counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Chandler tries to get to full guard but Mercado has control of the leg.
Chandler is pressing down on Mercado's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mercado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler keeping full guard, as Mercado tries to pass.
Chandler can't keep his opponent in guard - Mercado advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mercado working Chandler over with strikes.
Mercado is keen to just control but Chandler is a slippery customer.
Chandler has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mercado is working away from the top position though.
Chandler is trying to get back to full guard.
Mercado wants to control but Chandler is keeping him busy.
Mercado slips a nice elbow through Chandler's hands, connecting with Chandler's forehead.
Chandler is looking to control Mercado's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Chandler avoid being mounted?
Chandler wants to improve his position but Mercado is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado throwing shots but Chandler is blocking nicely.
Mercado scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Chandler wants to control but Mercado is keeping busy.
Chandler controlling the position well.
Chandler manages to get to full guard.
Chandler wants to sweep here but Mercado controlling him for the moment.
Chandler keeping full guard, as Mercado tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Chandler wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mercado scoring with some ground and pound.
Marcus Chandler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mercado is looking to work some ground and pound but Chandler has wrist control.
Chandler can't keep his opponent in guard - Mercado advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Chandler is positioning himself well to prevent Mercado advancing to mount.
Chandler works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mercado distracts Chandler with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Mercado is looking to work some ground and pound but Chandler has wrist control.
Danjie Mercado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mercado scoring with punches to the head and body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Chandler showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Chandler 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 49:44
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 49:45
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 49:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Chandler!
Marcus Chandler is the new featherweight champion!
The defeated Danjie Mercado had this to say: 'Well, what can I say man. He's the better man today. I'll be back. '.