PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Merfis (ranked 6156 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spaff Monkey (ranked 6322 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Merfis
vs
Monkey

170 cm
20
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, George Merfis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Spaff Monkey!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Colin Fray and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monkey shoots for a takedown but Merfis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Merfis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Monkey tries to avoid it but Merfis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Monkey to the ground. Monkey escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Merfis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Monkey defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Merfis.
Monkey is trying to counter with his kicks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Merfis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merfis darts in looking for a takedown but Monkey gets double underhooks and turns Merfis into the cage.
Merfis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Monkey chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Merfis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Monkey tries to avoid it but Merfis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Monkey to the ground. Monkey escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Monkey defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Merfis.

Monkey has Merfis up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merfis scores with a shoulder strike.
Monkey is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Monkey misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monkey is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Merfis pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Monkey's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Merfis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Merfis lands a really nice looking cross but Monkey seems unphased.
Monkey cracks Merfis with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

It looks like George Merfis has been cut.
Merfis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A countering left hand to the body from Monkey misses.
Monkey stuffs the takedown attempt from Merfis. Merfis gets slowly back to his feet.

Merfis gets tackled into the cage by Monkey. Monkey maintains the clinch.
Monkey is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Merfis to keep the fight standing.
Monkey's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Merfis tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monkey stalling against the cage.

Monkey decides to pull guard.

Merfis avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Monkey trying to keep a closed guard but Merfis is proving a slippery customer.
Merfis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monkey is trying to control the position but Merfis postures up.
Merfis looking to pass the guard.
Monkey working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Merfis.

Monkey escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Merfis gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Merfis prevents Monkey from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Merfis doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Monkey counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Monkey stops a takedown attempt from Merfis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Monkey fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Merfis tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Merfis misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Monkey stalling in the clinch.
Merfis goes for a takedown in the clinch but Monkey prevents it.

Monkey breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Merfis lands a slapping body shot.

Merfis moves into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Merfis wants to get back to striking at distance but Monkey won't allow it.
Monkey tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Monkey unloads a knee to the mid-section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spaff Monkey dominated that round.
The cut man is working on George Merfis's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Merfis shoots for a takedown but Monkey saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As Merfis backs off Monkey throws a huge counter combo but Merfis manages to avoid it all.
Merfis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Monkey keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A thudding body kick lands there by Monkey!

Monkey moves into the clinch.
Merfis tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Monkey avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merfis fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Merfis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Monkey has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Merfis after a bit of a struggle.
Monkey has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Merfis has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Monkey after a bit of a struggle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Monkey is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Merfis pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monkey is trying to pull guard but Merfis turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Merfis.

Monkey breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Merfis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Monkey fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Merfis avoids it really well and circles away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Monkey moves into the clinch.

Monkey ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Monkey no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monkey working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Merfis.

Monkey manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Merfis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Monkey fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Merfis shoots in and drives through. Monkey sprawls well.
Monkey shoots in for a takedown but Merfis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As Monkey looks to move away, Merfis throws a big counter combo but Monkey just gets out of the way.
Monkey shoots in but no luck this time.
Monkey is looking to clinch but Merfis is avoiding it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Merfis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merfis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Monkey manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice body kick from Monkey.
Spaff Monkey seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Monkey shoots in looking for a takedown. Merfis tries to sprawl out of it but Monkey keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Merfis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Merfis shoots for a double leg takedown but Monkey sprawls well. He's pushed Merfis's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Monkey displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Merfis.

Monkey pushes Merfis up against the cage in a clinch.

Monkey's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Monkey. That snapped Merfis's head back.
Merfis tries to clinch up but Monkey circles away and keeps his distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Monkey.
Monkey fails with a takedown attempt.
Merfis scores with a crisp jab that stopped Monkey in his tracks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Merfis looks for the body kick but Monkey saw that one coming.
Merfis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Monkey dives in for a single leg takedown but Merfis sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spaff Monkey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on George Merfis's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Merfis misses with a low kick.

Merfis fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Monkey, pushing him back against the cage.
Monkey is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Merfis gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A hook to the body from Monkey.
Monkey wants a takedown.
Monkey is trying to pull guard but Merfis turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
George Merfis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spaff Monkey.

Monkey breaks from the clinch.
Merfis shoots in for a double leg but Monkey sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monkey misses with a body shot.
Monkey takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Merfis lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Monkey backs up against the cage.
Merfis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Monkey but Monkey pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Monkey throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Monkey misses.
Merfis feinted with a counter takedown.
Monkey avoids the head kick by Merfis.
Monkey fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Merfis cracks a nice hook into Monkey's ribs.
Some bone on bone action there as Monkey checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Monkey with the counter takedown but Merfis avoids it easily.
Monkey doesn't manage to clinch there - Merfis circles away.

Merfis moves into the clinch.
Merfis tries to circle away but Monkey has him pinned against the cage.
Monkey jumps guard but Merfis stands there with Monkey around his waist. Monkey gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Merfis managing to block the knees to the body from Monkey.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monkey taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

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

Merfis clinches with his opponent.
Merfis with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Merfis jumps guard but Monkey stands there with Merfis around his waist. Merfis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Merfis trying to land knees to the body.
Merfis tries to pull guard but Monkey forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Merfis jumps guard.
Monkey is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Merfis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Monkey defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monkey throwing strikes but missing.
Monkey pushing down on Merfis's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Monkey content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Monkey stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Monkey tries to clinch there but Merfis circles away.
Monkey misses with a few strikes there.
Merfis shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Monkey sprawls well. Monkey wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Merfis gets slowly back to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Merfis.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Monkey shoots in for a double leg but Merfis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Merfis doesn't manage to clinch there - Monkey circles away.
George Merfis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spaff Monkey is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Merfis throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Merfis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Monkey has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight for Spaff Monkey!
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight for Spaff Monkey!
Judge Josh West scores the fight for Spaff Monkey!

Spaff Monkey wins by unanimous decision!