PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Merlin (ranked 505 p4p, 65 weight class) and Jorginho Marcelo (ranked 1169 p4p, 151 weight class). Jorginho Marcelo acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Merlin
vs
Marcelo

170 cm
20
162 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

175 cm
21
169 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xavier Merlin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jorginho Marcelo!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Winston Howard and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merlin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Merlin connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Marcelo's hands.
Some wild striking there from Merlin.
Merlin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Marcelo's head.
Marcelo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Merlin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marcelo somewhat.
Merlin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Marcelo misses with a takedown attempt - Merlin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Xavier Merlin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorginho Marcelo.
Marcelo misses with a takedown
and Merlin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Marcelo looking to score a takedown here. Merlin is defending well but Marcelo drives through and ends up in Merlin's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Merlin has Marcelo pulled in close to control his posture.
Merlin controls Marcelo momentarily but Marcelo frees himself.

Marcelo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Marcelo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marcelo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marcelo won't allow Merlin to sweep him here.

Merlin working for a triangle but Marcelo defends it easily.
Merlin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Marcelo manages to get himself to full guard.

Marcelo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Merlin defends well.
Merlin passes into half guard.
Marcelo has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Merlin is trying to control. Marcelo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Merlin wants to pass to mount but Marcelo is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marcelo tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.

Merlin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Marcelo defends it well.
Marcelo is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Marcelo gets full guard.
Merlin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Marcelo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marcelo looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Merlin passes into half guard.
Marcelo regains full guard. Nicely done.
Marcelo keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
Merlin advances to half guard.
Marcelo is trying to get back to full guard.
Marcelo is in trouble now - Merlin has advanced to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Merlin looking to control but Marcelo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
Marcelo really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marcelo prevents Merlin from taking his back.
Merlin controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Some wild striking there from Merlin.
Marcelo shoots in but no luck this time.

Marcelo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Marcelo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Marcelo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Merlin has escaped the position, nice work there.

Marcelo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Marcelo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin wants to get back to full guard.
Marcelo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Merlin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Marcelo in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Merlin tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Marcelo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jorginho Marcelo!
Jorginho Marcelo is the new lightweight champion!