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Play
by Play - Fighter's Fight Commentary
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Event:
QFC Tournament 676 Round 2
Date: Aug 29, 2016 |
#R1# Merch avoids the head kick by Stark Iii.
Merch drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stark Iii sprawls and moves away. Stark Iii tries to clinch there but Merch circles away.
Stark Iii throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. Stark Iii misses with a head kick.
Merch avoids the head kick by Stark Iii.
#CL2# Stark Iii gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here. Stark Iii working hard to break the clinch. Merch tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stark Iii smiles and moves away.
Stark Iii lands a head kick!
Merch moves out of range of the strikes. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Merch fails to land the takedown. Merch misses with a low kick.
Stark Iii throws a head kick that misses and Merch counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stark Iii thinking. A head kick by Stark Iii misses and Merch counters with a nice uppercut. #T1# Stark Iii throws a head kick that misses and Merch counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work. Merch steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Stark Iii. That one must have hurt.#CL# Merch moves into the clinch. Merch changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stark Iii fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nic Merch. That's going to take a lot out of him.#CL2# Stark Iii moves into the clinch.#BC# Merch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Merch bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. Merch shoots in for a double leg but Stark Iii sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy. Stark Iii throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. Merch could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.#CL# Merch rushes Stark Iii and presses him up against the cage. Merch has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Stark Iii after a bit of a struggle. Merch tries to pull guard but Stark Iii won't allow it.
#T2##BC2# Stark Iii breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stark Iii fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stark Iii uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.#CL2# Stark Iii closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage. #BC2# Stark Iii pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.#CL2# Stark Iii clinches. Stark Iii wants to break the clinch but can't.
#BC2# Stark Iii breaks the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Merch or perhaps it was just good defense by Stark Iii, which made it look bad. Stark Iii misses with an uppercut. Merch saw that one coming. Stark Iii defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Merch. Merch is breathing heavily. Stark Iii misses with a looping left. Merch slips a jab and a cross from Stark Iii.
#T3# Merch shoots in looking for a takedown but Stark Iii manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Merch's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away. A little jabbing left from Stark Iii on the counter but it doesn't find it's target. Merch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stark Iii throws a big counter head kick but Merch avoids it with no problem. Merch with a poor takedown letting Stark Iii counter with a right hand. Merch takes a jab right on the kisser.
Stark Iii lands a nice shot that snaps Merch's head back.
Stark Iii throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Merch avoids the head kick by Stark Iii.
Stark Iii throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Merch. Stark Iii throws a wild combination but nothing lands. Stark Iii stuffs the takedown. Merch takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards. Merch keeps the fight on the outside.#T4# Merch slips a jab from Stark Iii. Steven Stark Iii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Merch takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Good exchange - Merch coming out on top. Merch changes levels and scores with a jab to the body. Merch misses with a head kick.
Merch dodges the punch combination from Stark Iii.
Merch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stark Iii's waist but Stark Iii gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Merch off to one side. Merch takes a head kick and keeps coming.
#CL# The fight moves into the clinch position. A frustrated look appears on Stark Iii's face as he tries to break the clinch. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Steven Stark Iii dominated that round. The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! #R2##CL# Merch has Stark Iii up against the cage in a clinch.
#BC2# Stark Iii breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stark Iii scores with a nice head shot. Steven Stark Iii seems to be getting the better of the standup. Stark Iii sizes up Merch with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle. Nic Merch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things. Stark Iii lands a head kick!
Merch uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stark Iii. Stark Iii tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. Merch was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger. Stark Iii swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stark Iii misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stark Iii has been the more effective fighter overall so far. Stark Iii is breathing heavily. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Merch shoots for a double leg takedown but Stark Iii sprawls well. He's pushed Merch's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily. Stark Iii throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. Merch lands with a nice combination. Stark Iii backs away looking to recover. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Stark Iii pulls out of a head kick attempt.
#T1# Merch is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stark Iii sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet. Merch throws a body kick but he was well out of range there. #CL# Stark Iii tries to keep at a distance but Merch has taken the fight into the clinch. Stark Iii is trying to push Merch away but Merch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere. Stark Iii has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate. Stark Iii gets underhooks to prevent Merch's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nic Merch. That's going to take a lot out of him.#TD# Merch drags the fight down to the ground.
#ES# Merch manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Stark Iii lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.#CL# Merch clinches. Stark Iii wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.#BC2# Stark Iii's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Merch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stark Iii's waist but Stark Iii gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Merch off to one side. #T2# Stark Iii feints a jab promting Merch to slip. Stark Iii then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Merch slips again and ducks right into an uppercut. 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! Merch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. #CL2# Stark Iii closes the distance and clinches. #BC2# Stark Iii breaks the clinch.
#CL# Merch takes the fight into the clinch. Merch controlling the action here for a moment.
Stark Iii wants to break free but Merch has control.
Stark Iii has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate. Merch is trying to break free. Merch wants to get back to striking at distance but Stark Iii won't allow it.
Stark Iii being controlled against the cage.#T3# Stark Iii is trying to break the clinch but Merch is controlling him. Merch is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stark Iii gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt. Merch fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Stark Iii is trying to push Merch away but Merch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere. Merch tries for a takedown but Stark Iii manages to get underhooks.
#BC2# Stark Iii breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stark Iii moves in looking to clinch but Merch pushes him off. Stark Iii displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Merch. Nice body kick there by Stark Iii.#T4# A head kick misses from Stark Iii. Merch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out. Merch avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stark Iii moves in looking to clinch but Merch pushes him off. Merch tries to clinch but Stark Iii is having none of it. Stark Iii misses with a head kick.
#CL# The fight moves into the clinch position. Merch drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Merch looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Steven Stark Iii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards. The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round! #R3# Stark Iii scores with a crisp jab that stopped Merch in his tracks. Stark Iii throws a head kick that misses. Stark Iii takes a shot right to the bread basket.#CL2# The fight moves into the clinch position. Stark Iii being controlled against the cage. Merch with an attempt at a knee that misses.
#BC2# Stark Iii breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.#CL2# Stark Iii drives through and clinches with Merch against the cage.
#TD# Merch drags the fight down to the ground.
#SU2# Stark Iii gets to his feet - Merch follows without any prompting. Merch throws a lazy head kick and Stark Iii counters with a nice body kick.
Merch shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stark Iii sprawls well. Stark Iii wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Merch gets slowly back to his feet. Both fighters are breathing heavily.#T1# Some wild striking there from Stark Iii.
#CL2# Stark Iii drives through and clinches with Merch against the cage.
#BC2# Stark Iii's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Merch looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stark Iii is fending him off so far but Merch persists. Nope, Stark Iii circles away and we're back to standing. Stark Iii works over Merch's head and body with a nice combination. Stark Iii tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Stark Iii tries a head kick but it misses.
Stark Iii takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.#T2# Merch tries to clinch up but Stark Iii circles away and keeps his distance.#CL2# Stark Iii rushes Merch and presses him up against the cage. Stark Iii is trying to push Merch away but Merch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere. Stark Iii is trying to force a seperation but Merch has the dominant position. Stark Iii is trying to break free. Stark Iii has had enough of the clinch but Merch keeps him there for the moment.#BC2# Stark Iii's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Stark Iii keeps the fight on the outside. Stark Iii misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stark Iii keeps Merch at a distance using the push kick. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Merch tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stark Iii swivels and escapes. That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nic Merch. That's going to take a lot out of him. Stark Iii takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness. Stark Iii is looking to clinch. #T3# Merch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. Stark Iii goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo. Nice takedown defense from Stark Iii. No joy for Merch on that attempt. Stark Iii takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Stark Iii pushes Merch away with a front kick. Stark Iii wants to clinch up but Merch keeps it at a distance. Merch fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stark Iii avoids it really well and circles away. Stark Iii stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stark Iii wants it to stay on the feet. Stark Iii misses with a few strikes there.
Merch tries to clinch up but Stark Iii circles away and keeps his distance.#T4# Stark Iii throws a sloppy head kick and Merch moves out of range easily. Stark Iii throws a sloppy head kick and Merch counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work. Left hook, right uppercut from Stark Iii. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Stark Iii stuffs the takedown attempt from Merch. Merch gets slowly back to his feet. Stark Iii tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Merch will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body. No luck for Merch with that takedown attempt. Stark Iii is looking for the big counter here. A head kick by Stark Iii misses and Merch counters with a series of strikes. Stark Iii will be more careful next time no doubt. Stark Iii tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merch swats him away and circles back towards the center. Stark Iii throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. Nic Merch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! Stark Iii blocks a head kick by Merch.
And that's the end of the fight! Steven Stark Iii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard. I've got Stark Iii winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight for Steven Stark Iii! Judge Josh West scores the fight for Steven Stark Iii! Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Steven Stark Iii!
Steven Stark Iii wins by unanimous decision!
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