Play by Play - Fighter's Fight Commentary

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 121
Date: Nov 16, 2024

#R1#
Kaarduu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mercado.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mercado! But no joy.
Kaarduu looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kaarduu doesn't manage to clinch there - Mercado circles away.
It seemed like Mercado was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mercado is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kaarduu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kaarduu connects with the punch.
Kaarduu tries to clinch there but Mercado circles away. #TD#
Kaarduu bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Mercado felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercado is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.#ES2#
Mercado throws Kaarduu to one side and escapes!
Kaarduu misses with a hook
letting Mercado counter with a right hand. #CUT2#It looks like Azim Kaarduu has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaarduu misses with a series of wild punches.
A little jabbing left from Mercado on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.#T1#
Mercado uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kaarduu.#CL#
Kaarduu clinches.
A hook to the body from Kaarduu.
Kaarduu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercado working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kaarduu lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Mercado or not.
Kaarduu has Mercado pushed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kaarduu.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mercado lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kaarduu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mercado backwards.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Kaarduu lands a shot to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kaarduu.
A short body shot lands from Kaarduu as the two fighters clinch.
Mercado looks winded!
Kaarduu presses Mercado against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
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 takes a shot to the head.
Kaarduu tries a body shot but Mercado blocks it. #T2#
Kaarduu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mercado takes a shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
Kaarduu lands a nice uppercut.
Kaarduu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kaarduu scores with a nice hook to the head.#TD#
Kaarduu gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Kaarduu distracts Mercado with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kaarduu works over Mercado with some ground and pound from guard.
Kaarduu might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kaarduu is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kaarduu keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mercado's head.
Mercado wants to get back to his feet but Kaarduu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kaarduu postures up in Mercado's guard and throws a big left but Mercado blocks it.
Kaarduu throwing strikes from guard but Mercado blocks nicely.
Kaarduu scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kaarduu throwing strikes but missing. #T3#
Kaarduu prevents Mercado from getting back to his feet.
Kaarduu keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mercado's head.
Kaarduu wants to control from the top but Mercado keeps moving.
Mercado has momentary wrist control but Kaarduu slips an elbow through the middle.
Kaarduu stands up over Mercado, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mercado can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kaarduu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kaarduu cracks Mercado with a solid left hand.
Kaarduu postures up and lands a big shot to Mercado's brow.
Kaarduu throws a big elbow that misses.
Kaarduu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mercado is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kaarduu throws a big elbow that misses.
Kaarduu prevents Mercado from getting back to his feet.
Kaarduu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mercado can't keep his opponent in guard - Kaarduu advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.#T4#
Mercado is trying to stand.
Kaarduu scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kaarduu has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ground and pound from Kaarduu.
Mercado really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kaarduu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mercado is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kaarduu scores with a couple of nice shots.#ES2#
Mercado manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Azim Kaarduu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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!
Kaarduu with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mercado cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mercado moves away from the strike by Kaarduu.
Kaarduu is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Mercado's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Kaarduu throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mercado counters with a stiff right hand.
Kaarduu throws a hook to the side of Mercado's head but Mercado sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mercado looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kaarduu with a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.#TD#
Mercado gets caught napping as Kaarduu dives in and scores a takedown. Mercado manages to retain guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Azim Kaarduu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Azim Kaarduu's cut.
That's time! Kaarduu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.#R2#
Kaarduu with a poor takedown
and Mercado cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kaarduu closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kaarduu throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mercado's waist but Mercado gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kaarduu off to one side.
Mercado feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kaarduus jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!#ROC2#Kaarduu is rocked!
Mercado finds Kaarduu's off switch, with a big overhand right that connects perfectly to the side of the head! Kaarduu flops back against the cage, eyes gazing into the distance. Mercado lands an unnecessary shot before the referee has time to step in and end the fight. Brutal stuff but I'm sure Kaarduu will be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Tyrese Mercado!
In his post fight interview, Tyrese Mercado started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 106
Date: Oct 12, 2024

#R1#
Blanchard misses with a hook. Mercado ducked under it nicely.
Mercado looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mercado misses with a straight left.
Mercado slips under a jab from Blanchard.
Mercado throws out a counter right but Blanchard avoids it with no problem.
Blanchard definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Blanchard walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Blanchard throws the left hand but Mercado avoids the punch easily.
Mercado looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mercado looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Blanchard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mercado manages to avoid it.
Mercado swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Blanchard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little jabbing left from Mercado on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blanchard misses with a hook
and Mercado counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head. #ROC2#Blanchard is rocked!#CUT2#It looks like Andrew Blanchard has been cut.
Mercado takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders. #T1#
Mercado moves out of range as Blanchard strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blanchard. Mercado does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blanchard throws out a loose jab but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blanchard uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mercado.
Blanchard is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Mercado's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Mercado scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Blanchard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Andrew Blanchard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blanchard throws a hook but Mercado blocks it.
Blanchard swings widly with a right hand
letting Mercado counter with a right hand. #T2##KD2#
Mercado drops Blanchard with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Blanchard looks back up at him and smiles so Mercado waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
Oh Blanchard is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blanchard feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mercados jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Blanchard misses with a shot to the body
and Mercado counters with a big left hand that crumples Blanchard! He was out before he hit the floor! Brutal knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Tyrese Mercado!
In his post fight interview, Tyrese Mercado started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 87
Date: Aug 31, 2024

#R1#
Vinkovic with a nice cross.#TD#
Vinkovic bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Mercado looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
You can see the frustration on Mercado's face as Vinkovic controls the position.
Mercado really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vinkovic. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mercado is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Vinkovic asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Vinkovic moves into full mount! #SUB#
Vinkovic is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Mercado can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Vinkovic is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Mercado can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Vinkovic with the ground and pound from mount. #SUB#
Vinkovic is working for a guillotine from mount but Mercado frees his head quite easily.
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!
Vinkovic has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Mercado's face. #T1#
Vinkovic is landing with some decent strikes but Mercado is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Vinkovic with a couple of short strikes.
Vinkovic looking to finish Mercado with some ground and pound. This is bad for Mercado!#ROC#Mercado is rocked!
Mercado is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Vinkovic looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Mercado is still in real trouble! Can Vinkovic finish him?
Vinkovic cracks Mercado with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Mercado is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Vinkovic loads up with a big shot that hurts Mercado! He's pulled Vinkovic in close but Vinkovic has postured up and lands more strikes. Can Mercado survive? More strikes from Vinkovic and Mercado is out! The ref jumps in to save him! Brutal ground and pound!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Hrvoje Vinkovic!
Hrvoje Vinkovic is the new lightweight champion!
Hrvoje Vinkovic seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 70
Date: Aug 03, 2024

#R1#
Jasari waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mercado.
Jasari ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mercado fails to land with a series of punches.
Mercado shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Jasari jabs Mercado to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Jasari 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.
Jasari definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Jasari misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jasari throws a shot to the body.
Mercado looks to throw the jab but Jasari is out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Jasari on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jasari jabbing away but nothing is landing. #T1#
Jasari throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jasari missing with a left hand there. Mercado was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mercado looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A big left from Mercado misses.
Mercado throws a right hand that misses
and Jasari counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jasari lands a head shot.
Mercado throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jasari sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jasari misses with a hook. Mercado ducked under it nicely.
Mercado looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Jasari misses the jab.
Jasari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Mercado was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mercado connects with a nice looking jab. #T2#
Jasari misses the shot to the body.
Jasari throws a looping overhand right but Mercado ducks down to avoid it.
Jasari throws a body punch but Mercado moves out of range.
Good exchange - Mercado coming out on top.
Jasari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jasari misses with a looping right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jasari scores with a jab to the body.
Jasari scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mercado doesn't seem bothered though.
Mercado scores with a punch to the head.#T3#
Jasari scores with a jab to the body.
Jasari scores with a jab to the head.
Jasari swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jasari lands a nice hook to Mercado's body. Mercado takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mercado scores with a jab.
Nice defenses there by Jasari.
Mercado scores with a crisp jab that stopped Jasari in his tracks.
Jasari misses the body punch
letting Mercado counter with a right hand.
Mercado connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.#T4#
Jasari uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mercado has time to react.
Mercado might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jasari misses with an uppercut. Mercado saw that one coming.
Jasari takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Jasari lands with a right hand.
Mercado throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mercado loads up on a big right hand but Jasari slips the punch.
Jasari takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mercado avoids the body shot from Jasari.
Jasari looks to throw the jab but Mercado is out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Fuljrim Jasari dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!#R2#
Jasari lands with a nice body punch.
Jasari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercado sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Mercado on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mercado stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Jasari throws an overhand right that lands on Mercado's shoulder, as Mercado tries to avoid the shot.
Mercado is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jasari.
Mercado misses with an uppercut. Jasari saw that one coming.
Mercado throws a shot from downtown. Jasari moves away and avoids it.
Jasari swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mercado throws a looping overhand right but Jasari ducks down to avoid it.
Mercado is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Mercado cracks Jasari with a good jab.#T1#
Mercado rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jasari counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Jasari on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Jasari misses the target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mercado! But no joy.
Mercado connects with a crisp jab.
Mercado throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mercado lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mercado with a jab.#ROC2#Jasari is rocked!
Jasari pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mercado uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jasari. #T2#
Mercado throws a right hand that misses
and Jasari counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Jasari uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mercado has time to react.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Jasari misses.
A little jabbing left from Mercado on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.#KD2#
Mercado feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Jasari sprawling to the canvas! Jasari rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Mercado finish him?!
Oh Jasari is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jasari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercado sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mercado is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Jasari tries to get into range but Mercado steps to the side and lands a beautiful hook that drops Jasari! He's faceplanted into the mat, ass in the air... he's out cold! That's an image he won't want to show his grandkids when he gets older! Mercado scores the big KO victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Tyrese Mercado! Tyrese Mercado retains his lightweight title!
Tyrese Mercado tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.
In defeat, Fuljrim Jasari stepped up to the mic, saying 'Someone is gonna get killed for this roberry, these judges and refs are rigged af'.

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 41
Date: Jun 08, 2024

#R1#
Bayaka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mercado paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bayaka takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it. #TD#
Excellent takedown into side control there by Bayaka.
Mercado is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Mercado takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Mercado wants to get back to his feet but Bayaka drags him back down.
Mercado dodges the ground and pound from Bayaka.
The strikes coming from Bayaka are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Bayaka creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Mercado sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Mercado is trying to buck Bayaka off.
Bayaka postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Mercado is pushing Bayaka's head away, looking to escape. Bayaka manages to hold on to the position though.
Bayaka in side control, throwing shots but Mercado defends.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercado pushes Bayaka away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bayaka gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bayaka lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mercado down.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.#T1#
Mercado is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mercado can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bayaka cracks Mercado with a big right hand but Mercado just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Mercado is looking to get back to his feet here but Bayaka is keeping cool and he's managed to take Mercado's back.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Bayaka. #ROC#Mercado is rocked!
Mercado covering up well under a series of strikes from Bayaka.
Mercado is covering up but some of the strikes from Bayaka are getting through and doing damage.
Bayaka has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mercado trying to get back to his feet but Bayaka is in full control for now.
Bayaka throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Mercado!
Mercado is still in real trouble! Can Bayaka finish him?
Bayaka is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Mercado felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercado is trying to get back to his feet but Bayaka has full control of the position and if anything, Mercado has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Mercado seems to have recovered his senses.#T2#
Bayaka is punishing Mercado with strikes - can he finish him?!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mercado wants to get back to his feet.
Bayaka is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Bayaka gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Bayaka gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Bayaka apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Mercado throws a lazy right hand but Bayaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bayaka feinted with a counter takedown.
Bayaka misses the body punch
and Bayaka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mercado is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.#CL#
Bayaka moves into the clinch.
Bayaka tries a body shot but Mercado blocks it.
Bayaka takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Bayaka.
Bayaka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mercado prevents it.
Mercado throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bayakas head. #T3#
Bayaka is working for takedown but Mercado is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka stalling in the clinch but Mercado improves position.
Bayaka misses with some punches.
Bayaka working aggressively here.
Bayaka stalling the fight.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Bayaka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mercado's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Bayaka working aggressively here.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bayaka looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Mercado lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bayaka blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.#T4#
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bayaka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Bayaka.
Bayaka looking for a takedown.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
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 blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mercado after a bit of a struggle.
Bayaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mercado's elbow.
Bayaka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mercado gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bayaka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mercado prevents it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka can't get the takedown.
Bayaka stalling.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mbuti Bayaka dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!#R2#
Mercado throws a hook but Bayaka blocks it.#CL#
Bayaka fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mercado, pushing him back against the cage.
Mercado lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bayaka.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
Bayaka is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mercado is defending well.
Mercado lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bayaka.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bayaka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mercado prevents it.
Bayaka is looking to control Mercado's arms but Mercado gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bayaka has his back to the cage.
Bayaka is looking to control Mercado's arms but Mercado gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bayaka has his back to the cage.
Bayaka tries a body shot but Mercado blocks it.
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Mercado misses with a short punch on the inside. #T1#
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Bayaka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bayaka taking a breather.
Bayaka throws an elbow but it misses.
Bayaka taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bayaka.
Bayaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Mercado.
Tyrese Mercado seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mercado misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado blocks a body shot from Bayaka.
Bayaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Bayaka. #T2#
Bayaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado lands with a light punch inside.
Mercado lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Bayaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mercado is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercado lands with a left to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercado dodges an elbow strike from Bayaka.
Mercado lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Mercado lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Mercado blocking some punches.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Bayaka.
Mercado lands a hook that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Mercado scores with a shot to the side of Bayaka's head.
Bayaka wants a takedown.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch. #T3#
Bayaka is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mercado is keeping busy.
Mercado prevents a body shot from Bayaka.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses.
Bayaka is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bayaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bayaka.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it. #T4#
Mercado misses with some punches.
Bayaka lands a left hand.
Bayaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bayaka tries a body shot but Mercado blocks it.
Mercado lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bayaka.
Mercado avoids a wild elbow strike from Bayaka.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mercado's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mercado misses with some punches.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bayaka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short left from Bayaka.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Bayaka.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Mercado showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!#R3#
A swing and a miss from Bayaka.
Mercado swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mercado looks to land a right hand but Bayaka moved out of range.
Bayaka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mercado but Mercado pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Good standup being displayed there by Mercado as he connects with a hook.
Mercado throws a one two combo.
Bayaka takes one to the chin there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bayaka avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bayaka is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Mercado.
Mercado waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bayaka.
A jab from Mercado misses. #T1#
Bayaka wants to clinch
and Mercado counters with a nice uppercut. #TD#
Bayaka shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bayaka was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Mercado is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Bayaka is controlling him well.#ES2#
Mercado throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Bayaka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mercado throws a lazy right hand but Bayaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Mercado. No joy for Bayaka on that attempt.
Mercado swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercado takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bayaka throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mercado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bayaka misses with a hook. Mercado ducked under it nicely. #T2##CL#
Bayaka instigates a clinch.
Mercado lands an uppercut.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bayaka tries to throw a body punch but Mercado avoids it by throwing Bayaka back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
Mercado prevents a body shot from Bayaka.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka is trying to drag Mercado to the mat but Mercado just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses. #T3#
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
Bayaka tries to throw a body punch but Mercado avoids it by throwing Bayaka back against the cage.
Bayaka lands an uppercut.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mercado is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bayaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Bayaka.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka lands with a short shot to the head. #T4#
Bayaka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado pushes Bayaka back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bayaka misses with a punch on the inside. #TD#
Bayaka gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bayaka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bayaka stops Mercado from standing up.
Bayaka might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bayaka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mercado wants to get back to his feet but Bayaka is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bayaka wants to control from the top but Mercado keeps moving.
Mercado wants to stand and escape but Bayaka is having none of it. #REF3#
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Mercado really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.#R4#
Bayaka tries to clinch up.
Mercado throws a lazy right hand but Bayaka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mercado slips a straight right by Bayaka.
Bayaka moves to clinch but Mercado breaks away
enabling Mercado to counter with a crisp jab. #CL#
Bayaka clinches with his opponent.
Bayaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bayaka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mercado backwards.
Mercado lands a shoulder strike.
Bayaka misses with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Bayaka.
Bayaka is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son. #T1#
Bayaka misses with some punches.
Bayaka lands with a left to the head.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka misses with some punches. #TD#
Bayaka gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Mercado regains guard.
Bayaka postures up in Mercado's guard and throws a big left but Mercado blocks it.
Bayaka stops Mercado from standing up.
Mercado utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mercado wants to stand up but Bayaka is controlling him.
Bayaka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mercado works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mercado has momentary wrist control but Bayaka slips an elbow through the middle.
Bayaka working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mercado's head.#ES2#
Mercado has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Bayaka is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Bayaka throws an elbow but it misses. #T2#
Bayaka throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka lands an uppercut.
Mercado lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bayaka backwards.
A short right from Mercado.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
Bayaka misses with some punches.
Mercado lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mercado lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mercado's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
Mercado misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bayaka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Mercado backwards. #T3#
Mercado dodges an elbow strike from Bayaka.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Bayaka.
Bayaka is working for takedown but Mercado is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short left from Mercado.
Mercado scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Bayaka.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bayaka leaning against his opponent.
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head. #T4#
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Mercado gets underhooks to prevent Bayaka's takedown attempt.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado blocking some punches.
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 gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bayaka.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Bayaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Tyrese Mercado will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!#R5#
Bayaka gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mercado counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bayaka shoots and misses
and Mercado counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bayaka wants to clinch
and Mercado counters with a straight right hand.
Bayaka has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mbuti Bayaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bayaka fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.#CL#
Bayaka clinches with his opponent.
Mercado has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
Mercado working aggressively here. #T1#
Bayaka throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Bayaka tries a body shot but Mercado blocks it.
A right hook to the body lands for Bayaka.
Bayaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mercado is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bayaka lands with a left to the head.
Bayaka lands with a right to the head.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bayaka blocking some punches.
Bayaka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bayaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Bayaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. #T2#
Mercado lands a left hand.
A shot in the inside from Bayaka.
Bayaka wants to take the fight to the mat but Mercado manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bayaka can't get the takedown.
Bayaka drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mercado gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mbuti Bayaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Bayaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bayaka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercado fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bayaka holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bayaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land. #T3#
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mercado's elbow.
Bayaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mercado is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Bayaka scores with a shot to the side of Mercado's head.
Bayaka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bayaka blocks an uppercut.
Mercado is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.
Bayaka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bayaka blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka misses with some punches.
Bayaka lands a hook to the side of the head.#T4#
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Bayaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado working aggressively here.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bayaka is looking to control Mercado's arms but Mercado gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bayaka has his back to the cage.
Bayaka misses with a punch to the body.
Mercado blocks a body shot from Bayaka.
Still in the clinch, Mercado scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Bayaka.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
A head punch on the inside from Bayaka fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bayaka.
Bayaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Mercado.
Bayaka throws a head punch that misses.
Tyrese Mercado is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bayaka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bayaka has a couple of punches blocked by Mercado.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tyrese Mercado.
I think Mercado has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 46:49
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyrese Mercado!
Tyrese Mercado is the new lightweight champion!
A very excited looking Tyrese Mercado rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 31
Date: May 12, 2024

#R1#
Mercado connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Brabec misses with a lunging right hand
and Mercado counters with a straight right hand.
Mercado really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mercado checks a leg kick nicely.#KD#
Mercado lands a left and a right that send Brabec crashing to the mat, dazed. Mercado thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!#ROC#Brabec is rocked!
Mercado circles and sees the opportunity to plant his feet and throw a really nice straight left hand that drops Brabec to the canvas! Brabec doesn't know where he is but he's trying to survive - Mercado keeps piling on the pressure and forces the referee to step in! This one is aaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tyrese Mercado!
A pretty intense looking Tyrese Mercado took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 20
Date: Apr 14, 2024

#R1##CL#
Kaarduu pushes Mercado up against the cage in a clinch.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Kaarduu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kaarduu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kaarduu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Mercado blocks an uppercut. #TD#
Kaarduu gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mercado can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mercado wants to stand and escape but Kaarduu is having none of it.
Mercado has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Alpha Brasil. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Mercado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mercado preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mercado wants to stand up but Kaarduu is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Kaarduu trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kaarduu distracts Mercado with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.#T1#
Kaarduu is looking to work some ground and pound but Mercado has wrist control.
Kaarduu working some strikes from top position.
Kaarduu might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kaarduu throwing strikes from guard but Mercado blocks nicely.
Kaarduu stops Mercado from standing up.
Kaarduu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kaarduu lands a couple of digs.
Kaarduu works over Mercado with some ground and pound from guard.
Kaarduu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kaarduu landing some decent shots from guard.
Kaarduu chips away with some ground and pound.
Kaarduu distracts Mercado with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kaarduu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kaarduu landing some decent shots from guard.
Kaarduu trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kaarduu looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.#T2#
Kaarduu throws a big right hand that misses.
Mercado is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kaarduu connects with a couple of short punches.
Mercado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kaarduu lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercado is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kaarduu trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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!#T3#
Kaarduu scoring with some ground and pound.
Kaarduu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kaarduu is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kaarduu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mercado keeping moving, preventing Kaarduu from controlling successfully.
Mercado wants to get back to his feet but Kaarduu passes into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kaarduu connects with a nice short shot to Mercado's temple.
Kaarduu looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mercado with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kaarduu is looking to take a break and control but Mercado is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kaarduu looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mercado with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Mercado wants to get back to his feet.#T4#
Kaarduu uses his free foot to push down on Mercado's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Mercado.
Mercado is in a horrible position here. Kaarduu smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kaarduu raining down hammerfists from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kaarduu lands a heavy elbow.
Mercado tries to buck Kaarduu off but he can't manage it.
Kaarduu working away from the top, dropping strikes.#ROC#Mercado is rocked!
Mercado really wants to buck Kaarduu off and get back to his feet.
Mercado in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Mercado is still in real trouble! Can Kaarduu finish him?
Kaarduu landing shots from mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Azim Kaarduu dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!#R2#
Mercado connects with a right hand. Kaarduu shakes it off.
Mercado seems to have recovered his senses.
Jab from Mercado.
Tyrese Mercado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kaarduu moves in looking to clinch but Mercado pushes him off.
Mercado connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Azim Kaarduu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mercado lands a two punch combo. #CUT2#It looks like Azim Kaarduu has been cut.
Mercado is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Mercado catches Kaarduu with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kaarduu wants to clinch.
Mercado takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.#ROC2#Kaarduu is rocked!
Mercado circles away from the clinch attempt
and Mercado scores with a counter punch that sends Kaarduu to the canvas! Mercado smells blood - he's punishing Kaarduu with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Kaarduu has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tyrese Mercado!

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 14
Date: Mar 30, 2024

#R1#
Nice shot by Mercado.#CUT#It looks like Panished Snake has been cut.
Snake misses with a straight right.
Snake dives in and grabs Mercado's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mercado pushes down on Snake's head and hops out.
Snake tries to bum rush Mercado with a series of wild strikes but Mercado uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
An attempted straight right counter from Mercado misses the target.
Mercado closes the distance and lands a crisp combination that knocks Snake out cold! Snake corner are devastated, head in hands behind our commentary position. Poor guys.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Tyrese Mercado!

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 10
Date: Mar 02, 2024

#R1#
Hamilton fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hamilton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mercado paws at him with a jab and circles away.#KD#
Mercado drops Hamilton with a big left hand and mounts him. Hamilton is in big trouble! #ROC#Hamilton is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mercado tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hamilton keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mercado controlling the position easily from mount.
Hamilton is looking to improve his position but Mercado isn't that keen on the idea.
Hamilton regains half guard.
Hamilton looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Mercado is just content to waste time from the top position. Hamilton takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Mercado has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.#T1##SUB2#
Hamilton throwing his legs up looking for a triangle. #SUB2#
Hamilton looking for a guillotine here but Mercado defends easily.
Mercado is stalling in the full guard. #SUB2#
Mercado avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mercado has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Mercado trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hamilton's guard.#T2#
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hamilton is on top in guard. #REVB#
Mercado wants to stand up but Hamilton is controlling him. #SUB2#
Hamilton is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hamilton passes into half guard. #SUB2#
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hamilton is trying to work for a kimura but Mercado is defending well. #SUB2#
Hamilton is trying to work for a kimura but Mercado is defending well.
Mercado knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hamilton on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercado is trying to stand up here but Hamilton is controlling him well. #T3##SUB2#
Mercado is pushing off trying to get to his feet. Hamilton has hold of the leg though and he's dropped back for a heel hook… has he got it?? YES! Mercado is tapping! This fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Heel Hook). Lincoln Hamilton!
Lincoln Hamilton is the new lightweight champion!
A victorious Lincoln Hamilton thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 8
Date: Feb 17, 2024

#R1#
Makunochi tries to close the distance and clinch but Mercado swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Makunochi lands a jab to the head.
Makunochi misses with a series of wild punches.
Makunochi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Makunochi lands a glancing blow to the side of Mercado's head.
Mercado ducks under a wild hook from Makunochi.
Mercado swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Mercado.
Mercado keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Makunochi.
Mercado is looking for a counter combo.
Makunochi misses with a looping left.
Makunochi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mercado.
Mercado misses with a straight right.
Makunochi lands with an uppercut that bounces Mercado off the cage and back into range.
Mercado throws a right hand that Makunochi ducks under and follows up with a left that Makunochi also avoids with ease.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mercado is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Makunochi.
Makunochi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mercado counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mercado misses with a looping right.
Makunochi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Makunochi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercado sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Makunochi ducks under a wild hook from Mercado.#T1#
Mercado slips under a jab.
A quick step to the side and Mercado tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Makunochi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A jab lands there for Makunochi.#CL#
Mercado clinches up with Makunochi and pushes him back against the cage.
Mercado gets through Makunochi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mercado.
Mercado working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Mercado.
Mercado blocking some punches.
Mercado makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado. #BC#
Mercado breaks from the clinch. #CL#
Mercado closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Makunochi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mercado working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Makunochi.
Makunochi misses with a punch on the inside.
Mercado blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Makunochi blocks a punch to the side of the head. #T2#
Makunochi swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Makunochi.
Mercado takes a shot to the head. #BC#
Mercado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Makunochi misses with a hook. Mercado ducked under it nicely.
Mercado really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mercado swinging wildly here. #CL#
Mercado clinches up with Makunochi and pushes him back against the cage.#BC#
Mercado breaks from the clinch.
Mercado ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Makunochi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercado sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mercado fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mercado throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Makunochi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Makunochi throws an off balance right hand
and Mercado counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mercado tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Makunochi misses with an uppercut.
Mercado takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Makunochi might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Mercado takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing. #T3#
Mercado moves out of range of the strikes.
Mercado scores with the left hand. Makunochi knows he should have avoided that one.
Mercado is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Mercado throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Makunochi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Makunochi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Makunochi throws a hook but Mercado blocks it.
Mercado doesn't manage to clinch there - Makunochi circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mercado is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mercado slips a straight right by Makunochi.
A counter left hand to the body from Mercado misses its target.
A telegraphed right hand from Makunochi misses the target.
Mercado appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Makunochi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mercado's hands.
Makunochi throws a shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Makunochi.
Makunochi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mercado ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Makunochi has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Makunochi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercado sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mercado is looking for a counter combo.
Mercado tries to close the distance and clinch up but Makunochi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A left lands for Mercado.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Makunochi looks to land a left hand but Mercado moved out of range nicely.#T4#
Mercado dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Mercado there.
Makunochi loads up on a big right hand but Mercado slips the punch.
Mercado throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Makunochi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
No joy there for Mercado, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Makunochi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Makunochi needs to keep his hands up - Mercado had a free shot at his head there.
Mercado ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Makunochi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mercado tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Makunochi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mercado jabs Makunochi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Makunochi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Makunochi throws a jab but it's blocked by Mercado.
Mercado is looking for a counter combo.
Mercado is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Mercado slips under a jab.
Makunochi misses with a hook. Mercado ducked under it nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Makunochi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Makunochi misses with a straight right.
Mercado moves out of range as Makunochi strikes.
A big right from Makunochi misses.
Mercado appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Mercado displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Makunochi throws out the jab.
Mercado throwing a counter right hand but Makunochi manages to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tyrese Mercado will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mercado's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.#R2#
Makunochi avoids the body shot from Mercado.
Makunochi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mercado tries to clinch up.
Makunochi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nuori Makunochi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Makunochi throws a jab but it's blocked by Mercado.
Nice cross by Makunochi.
Mercado bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mercado is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Makunochi misses with a straight left.
Mercado pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Makunochi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mercado wants to clinch up but Makunochi keeps it at a distance.
Makunochi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mercado was well out of range. Poor timing from Makunochi.
Makunochi throws a lazy right hand but Mercado sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.#CL#
Mercado gets a clinch.
Makunochi lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mercado.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Makunochi.
Makunochi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right from Mercado.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Makunochi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mercado lands a shoulder strike. #BC#
Mercado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance. #T1#
Mercado lands with a big left! Makunochi is wobbled badly! Mercado comes in with a flurry of punches and drops Makunochi to the floor. The ref jumps in to save him from unneccessary punishment.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:08 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Tyrese Mercado!
Tyrese Mercado is the new lightweight champion!

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 6
Date: Feb 03, 2024

#R1#
Knight scoring well with a low kick there.
Knight moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Knight scoring well with a low kick there.
Knight keeps the fight on the outside.#CL#
Mercado clinches up against the cage.#BC2#
Knight manages to break the clinch.
Troy Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knight fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Knight throws a jab when Mercado was well out of range.
Knight pulls out of a head kick attempt. #CL#
Mercado clinches up with Knight and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Knight.
Knight tries to circle away but Mercado has him pinned against the cage.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Knight.
Knight's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Knight tries to land knees in the clinch but Mercado avoids the damage to the body.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado pushes Knight back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mercado really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knight blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Knight takes a shot to the head. #T1#
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercado misses with some punches. #BC2#
Knight's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mercado moves out of range of the body kick from Knight.
Mercado fails in his attempt to clinch.
Knight's coach down at Shut Up & Train! was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Knight's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A jab from Knight misses. #CL#
Mercado rushes Knight and presses him up against the cage.
Mercado softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses. #BC2#
Knight's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.#CL#
Mercado drives through and clinches with Knight against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Knight's face as he tries to break the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mercado creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut. #BC2#
Knight pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters circling a little - Knight finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Mercado misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knight.
Mercado moves in looking to clinch but Knight pushes him off.
Knight pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.#T2#
Nice shot lands for Mercado.
Mercado is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knight throws out a loose jab but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Good work by Mercado as he checks the leg kick.
Knight doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.#CL#
Mercado has managed to clinch.
Knight trying to stall but Mercado improves his position.
Knight blocking some punches.
Mercado misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Knight is trying to push Mercado away but Mercado has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Knight uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado lands a right hand. #BC#
Mercado escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mercado wants to clinch.#T3#
Mercado showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Knight.
Mercado keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knight.
Mercado on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Knight. Knight obviously looking to wear him down.
Knight lands a leg kick that knocks Mercado off balance momentarily.
Knight is looking to chop away at Mercado's legs.
An attempted straight right counter from Mercado misses the target.
Knight keeps the fight on the outside.
Knight swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Knight loads up on a big right hand but Mercado slips the punch.
Decent striking displayed by Knight there.
Mercado tries to clinch but Knight moves out of range.
A low kick from Knight is predictable there
and Mercado counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mercado tries to close the distance and clinch but Knight swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A big right from Knight misses.
Mercado takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mercado lands with a nice body punch.
Mercado scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Knight doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knight throws a right and a left that Mercado avoids nicely.
Mercado is looking for a counter combo.
Mercado lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Knight circles away quickly and effectively.#T4#
Mercado connects with a body shot that sends Knight's belly button to the back.
Mercado takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Mercado stuns Knight with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Knight throws a series of punches but Mercado avoids them all with ease.
Mercado avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Knight avoids a punch combination nicely.
A head kick misses from Knight.
Mercado throwing a counter right hand but Knight manages to avoid it.#CL#
The fight moves into the clinch position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Knight working hard to break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mercado has Knight pressed against the cage, preventing Knight from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Mercado dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.#R2#
Mercado misses with a jab, cross combination.
Knight is looking to slow Mercado down with leg kicks.
Mercado doesn't manage to clinch there - Knight circles away.
Good work by Mercado as he checks the leg kick.
Mercado tries to clinch but Knight is having none of it.
Mercado sizes up Knight with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mercado showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Knight.
Mercado blocks a head kick by Knight.
Mercado tries to close the distance and clinch but Knight swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mercado moves out of range of the strikes.
Knight swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mercado closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Mercado misses with a body shot.
Mercado tries to clinch up but Knight circles away and keeps his distance.
Knight misses with a few strikes there.
Knight misses with a head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mercado takes a swing at Knight's ribcage but misses.
Mercado lands with a good body shot.
Troy Knight seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Knight changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.#T1#
Knight throws a head kick but Mercado moves out of range.
Mercado tries to clinch up.
Mercado stuns Knight with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Knight dodges the punch combination from Mercado.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Knight in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Knight fails to land with a series of punches.
Mercado's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Mercado duly obliges.
Knight on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Mercado on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Knight. Knight obviously looking to wear him down.
Knight throws out a loose jab but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Knight looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tyrese Mercado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Knight takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Knight connects with a solid leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knight throws a poor cross that misses
and Mercado counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Mercado lands a nice looking body shot.
Knight pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.#CL#
Mercado pushes Knight up against the cage in a clinch.
Knight is trying to break free.#T2##BC2#
Knight pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knight misses with an uppercut. #CL#
Mercado pushes Knight up against the cage in a clinch.
Knight wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.#BC2#
Knight breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mercado fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Knight looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mercado is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Knight can do to turn this around?
Mercado tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Knight paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Knight circles away from the clinch attempt.
Knight keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mercado is looking to wear down Knight with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Knight connects with a leg kick.
Knight wants to slow Mercado down by chopping away at his legs.
Knight avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Knight buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Mercado avoids the body shot from Knight.
A counter left hand to the body from Mercado misses its target.
Mercado is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Mercado blocks a head kick by Knight.
Knight needs to keep his hands up - Mercado had a free shot at his head there.
Mercado tries to clinch up.#T3##CL#
Mercado closes the distance and clinches.
Mercado throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado. #BC#
Mercado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Knight misses with a low kick.
Knight tries a head kick but it misses. #CL#
Mercado moves into the clinch.
Knight blocks an uppercut. #BC2#
Knight pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mercado is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Knight misses the target.
Knight throws a body shot but no joy.
Mercado fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mercado throws a nice looking combination but Knight bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mercado lands a jab to Knight's midsection.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Knight 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 Mercado has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Mercado and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Knight misses the shot to the body.
Mercado swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.#CL#
Mercado has taken the fight to the clinch. #T4##BC#
Mercado breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mercado tries to close the distance and clinch up but Knight swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mercado lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big right from Knight misses.
Mercado lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Knight circles away quickly and effectively.
A punch combination from Knight misses.
Mercado shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Knight eats them both and turns towards Mercado to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Mercado is looking to clinch.
Knight uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mercado has time to react.
Mercado avoids a punch combination nicely.
Knight looks to score with a jab to the body but Mercado is just out of range.
Knight throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mercado scores with a nice right hand.
Mercado bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Knight looks to land a left hand but Mercado moved out of range nicely.
Mercado is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Mercado misses with the combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Mercado dominated that second round.
That's time! Mercado's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.#R3#
Knight throws a body shot but no joy.
Mercado is looking to clinch but Knight is avoiding it.
Knight swings for the body but Mercado moves out of range.
Knight is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Mercado on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Knight. Knight obviously looking to wear him down.
Mercado connects with a nice looking jab.
Mercado steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Knight.#CL#
Mercado has managed to clinch.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Knight blocking some punches. #BC2#
Knight breaks the clinch.
Mercado lands with a nice combination. Knight backs away looking to recover.
Knight circles away from the clinch attempt.
Knight misses with an uppercut. Mercado saw that one coming.
A solid leg kick lands there for Knight.
Knight misses with a wild body shot.
Mercado tries to clinch but Knight is having none of it.
Mercado defending well as Knight loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knight keeps the fight on the outside.#T1#
Mercado lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Knight looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Knight throws a sloppy head kick and Mercado moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Knight misses the target.
Mercado dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mercado digs a good hook to Knight's body.
Mercado scores with a one two! Knight had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mercado lands a jab.
Mercado bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Knight chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Knight throws a right hand that Mercado ducks under and follows up with a left that Mercado also avoids with ease.
Knight closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so. #ROC#Knight is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knight misses with a hook.#CL#
Mercado fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Knight, pushing him back against the cage.
Mercado lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mercado.
Knight is still on wobbly legs! Can Mercado finish him?#BC2#
Knight escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mercado throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Knight seems to have recovered his senses.#T2##CL#
Mercado gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Knight.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Knight.
Mercado throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Knights head.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tyrese Mercado has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mercado swings wildly with an uppercut but Knight uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Knight.
Mercado misses with a short punch on the inside.
Knight tries to circle away but Mercado has him pinned against the cage.
Knight wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.#BC#
Mercado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mercado changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mercado tries to bum rush Knight with a series of wild strikes but Knight uses good footwork to avoid the assault.#T3#
Knight throws a body punch but Mercado moves out of range.
Mercado throwing a counter right hand but Knight manages to avoid it.
Mercado lands a nice looking body shot.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Knight. Mercado shrugs it off though.
Knight misses with a body kick.
Mercado seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Mercado tries to close the distance and clinch but Knight swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Knight throws a head kick that misses.
Knight has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mercado slips under a jab from Knight.
Knight looks to land a right hand but Mercado moved out of range.
A head kick misses from Knight.
Knight takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.#CL#
Mercado forces Knight back against the cage and clinches.
Knight blocks a punch to the side of the head. #BC2#
Knight breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Knight throws a leg kick but Mercado moved away.
Mercado cracks Knight with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercado bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Knight's head backwards.
Mercado doesn't manage to clinch there - Knight circles away. #T4#
Knight throws a leg kick but Mercado moved away.
Mercado thuds his right hand into Knight's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Knight throws a head kick that misses.
Knight bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mercado's head.#CL#
Mercado moves into range and clinches up with Knight.
Knight has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado. #BC2#
Knight breaks the clinch.
Mercado cracks Knight with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Mercado connects with a looping right hand.
Knight with the inside leg kick.
Mercado with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Knight to score with a decent uppercut.
A bone on bone clash there as Mercado blocks the leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knight throws a series of punches but Mercado moves out of range.
It looked like Mercado wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Knight misses with an uppercut. #CL#
Mercado darts in and clinches Knight up against the cage.
Mercado scores with a nice hook to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Mercado clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!#R4#
Knight throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Knight tried to score with a low kick but Mercado checks it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mercado looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Knight has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Knight misses with a double jab. #CL#
Mercado forces Knight back against the cage and clinches.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Knight. #BC#
Mercado breaks from the clinch.
Mercado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Knight moves away.
A slow jab from Knight misses its intended target.
A solid body kick from Knight.
Knight swats away the attempt to clinch by Mercado.
Knight was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight throws a push kick but Mercado slaps the foot to one side.
Knight throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Knight scores with a one two! Mercado had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Knight swings for the body but Mercado moves out of range.
Knight throws the kick towards the body but Mercado avoids it.#T1#
Decent striking displayed by Mercado there.
Knight throws a jab when Mercado was well out of range.
Knight throws a shot from downtown. Mercado moves away and avoids it.
Mercado 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.
Knight lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercado's sensitive parts.
Knight throws a head kick that misses.
Knight is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Mercado lands a nice shot to the body.
Mercado fails with an attempt to clinch.
Knight on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot. #CL#
Knight tries to keep at a distance but Mercado has taken the fight into the clinch.#BC2#
Knight manages to break the clinch. #CL#
Mercado closes the distance and clinches.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mercado misses with a punch on the inside. #BC2#
Knight pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.#T2#
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 tries to close the distance and clinch up but Knight swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Knight throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mercado seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Mercado looks to land a combination but Knight avoids it well.
Mercado lands a two punch combo.
Mercado avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mercado tries to clinch but Knight is having none of it.
Knight throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mercado counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A jab from Knight misses.
Mercado wants to clinch up but Knight keeps it at a distance.
Knight with the counter takedown but Mercado avoids it easily.
Knight tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mercado scores with a sloppy right hand. Knight should have avoided that one.
Mercado lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Mercado lands a jab-cross combination.
Mercado scores with the left hand. Knight knows he should have avoided that one.
Knight takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Knight thows a left - swing and a miss! #T3#
Knight with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A big right from Knight misses.
Mercado appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.#CL#
Mercado has taken the fight to the clinch.
Knight is trying to break the clinch but Mercado has him pressed against the cage. #BC2#
Knight manages to break the clinch. #CL#
Mercado rushes Knight and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mercado working aggressively here. #BC2#
Knight manages to break the clinch.
Knight looks to land a left hand but Mercado moved out of range nicely.
Mercado swings and misses with a hook to the body. #CL#
Mercado clinches up with Knight and pushes him back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mercado. #BC#
Mercado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A leg kick checked by Mercado.#CL#
Mercado closes the distance and clinches.
Mercado lands a right hand. #T4##BC#
Mercado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mercado scores with a nice head shot.
Mercado misses the shot to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Knight. Those never looked like landing.
Mercado fails in his attempt to clinch.
Knight throws a lazy uppercut
and Mercado counters with a series of strikes. Knight will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mercado drops his hands momentarily and Knight takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mercado blocks a head kick by Knight.
Mercado thuds a left hand into Knight's body.
Knight pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Knight rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mercado counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Mercado tries to clinch there but Knight circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knight rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mercado counters with a nice uppercut. #CL#
Mercado clinches up against the cage.#BC2#
Knight breaks the clinch.
Knight throws out a loose jab but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Mercado had his way with Troy Knight 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!#R5#
Knight throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Knight with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mercado to score with a decent uppercut.
Knight with a nice calf kick.
Knight throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mercado.
Knight pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mercado tries to clinch but Knight moves out of range.
Mercado tries to clinch up but Knight circles away and keeps his distance.
Knight lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercado's sensitive parts.
Knight misses the shot to the body.
Knight circles away from the clinch attempt.
Knight wants to slow Mercado down by chopping away at his legs.
Knight drops his hands momentarily and Mercado takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Knight circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Knight. Those never looked like landing.
Mercado displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination. #CL#
Mercado takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.#BC2#
Knight escapes the clinch and we're back to striking. #T1#
Mercado lunges at Knight with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Knight's hand. #CL#
Mercado forces Knight back against the cage and clinches.
Knight blocks an uppercut. #BC2#
Knight breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Knight throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Knight lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Mercado scores with a sloppy right hand. Knight should have avoided that one.
Knight lands a nice looking body kick.
Mercado feints a jab promting Knight to slip. Mercado then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Knight slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A nice leg kick lands there from Knight.
Knight with a nice calf kick.
Knight fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mercado keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Mercado misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too. #T2##CL#
Mercado has taken the fight to the clinch.
Knight blocks a punch to the side of the head. #BC2#
Knight manages to break the clinch.
Knight throws a hook but Mercado avoids it easily.
Knight is looking to score with low kicks.
Mercado walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Knight throws a jab but it's blocked by Mercado.
Knight tries a head kick but it misses.
Knight throws a leg kick which misses Mercado's front leg but catches the back leg as Mercado tries to avoid it.
Knight is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Knight throws a head kick that Mercado semi-blocks. #CL#
Mercado has managed to clinch.
Mercado lands a hook to the side of the head.
Knight wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mercado has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Knight is trying to break the clinch but Mercado is controlling him.#T3#
Knight blocks an uppercut.
Mercado tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. #BC2#
Knight escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knight rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mercado counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Knight motions for Mercado to come forward. Knight throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mercado lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Mercado slips a jab from Knight.
Knight throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Mercado jabs at Knight's body.
Knight swings widly with a right hand
and Mercado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick misses from Knight.
Mercado changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Knight keeps the fight on the outside.
Knight shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knight tries to land a leg kick but Mercado saw it coming and moves away.
Mercado scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.#T4##CL#
Mercado fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Knight, pushing him back against the cage.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Mercado throws a punch but it's blocked by Knight.
Mercado lands a shoulder strike. #BC2#
Knight breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A big right from Knight misses.
Mercado appears to be looking for a big counter.
A head kick misses from Knight.
Knight takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mercado doesn't manage to clinch there - Knight circles away. #CL#
Mercado moves into range and clinches up with Knight.#BC2#
Knight breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Knight avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Knight tries to land a front kick but Mercado steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Knight misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Troy Knight has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tyrese Mercado is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knight tries a head kick but it misses. #CL#
Mercado clinches with his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tyrese Mercado.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mercado, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 50:45
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyrese Mercado!

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 3
Date: Jan 06, 2024

#R1##CL#
Mercado rushes Barbosa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mercado misses with the head strike.
Barbosa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. #BC#
Mercado breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barbosa throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Mercado to counter with a crisp jab.
Mercado tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Barbosa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.#CL#
Mercado moves into range and clinches up with Barbosa.
Barbosa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Barbosa looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Mercado prevents Barbosa from breaking the clinch.
Barbosa misses with a punch to the body.
Barbosa misses with a hook to the ribs. #BC2#
Barbosa breaks from the clinch.
Mercado wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado digs a good body shot into Barbosa's ribs.
Barbosa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing. #CL#
Mercado gets a clinch. #T1#
Mercado lands with a light punch inside.
Barbosa blocks an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mercado.
Barbosa can't find room to land a body shot as Mercado controls the action.
Mercado lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Barbosa backwards.
Mercado lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barbosa backwards.
Barbosa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barbosa struggles to land a body shot inside as Mercado controls his hands.
Mercado really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Barbosa tries to work over Mercado's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barbosa is trying to force a seperation but Mercado has the dominant position.
Barbosa struggles to land a body shot inside as Mercado controls his hands.
A short left from Mercado. #BC2#
Barbosa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barbosa takes a swing at Mercado's ribcage but misses.
A little feinted left hand from Mercado on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mercado wants to clinch.#T2#
Mercado ducks under a wild hook from Barbosa.
Mercado avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jab, jab by Mercado - just one landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barbosa throws a series of punches but Mercado avoids them all with ease.
Mercado throws a right and a left that Barbosa avoids nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Barbosa! But no joy.
A slow jab from Barbosa misses its intended target.
Decent striking displayed by Mercado there.
Mercado doesn't manage to clinch there - Barbosa circles away.
Barbosa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barbosa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mercado throws a predictable looking body shot
and Barbosa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mercado misses with the combination.
Mercado fails in his attempt to clinch.
Barbosa throws a series of punches but Mercado avoids them all with ease.
Mercado feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Barbosas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Mercado connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.#ROC#Barbosa is rocked!
Barbosa misses with a straight right.
Barbosa is still on wobbly legs! Can Mercado finish him?#T3##CL#
Mercado moves into the clinch.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mercado misses with some punches.
Barbosa seems to have recovered his senses.
Barbosa misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barbosa.
Mercado lands a right hand.
A right hand to the body from Barbosa.
Barbosa lands a body shot in the clinch. #BC#
Mercado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mercado doesn't manage to clinch there - Barbosa circles away.
Barbosa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Barbosa circles away from the clinch attempt
and Barbosa counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mercado thinking.
Mercado uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barbosa.
Tyrese Mercado seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mercado lands a nice shot that snaps Barbosa's head back. #CL#
Mercado fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Barbosa, pushing him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barbosa tries to circle away but Mercado has him pinned against the cage.
Mercado lands with a good tight uppercut to the head. #T4#
Mercado lands a left hand.
Mercado blocks a body shot from Barbosa. #BC#
Mercado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barbosa throws out a powerful jab.
Mercado tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barbosa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.#CL#
Mercado moves into range and clinches up with Barbosa.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch. #BC#
Mercado manages to break the clinch.
Mercado just misses with a punch to the body.
Barbosa connects with a crisp jab.
Nice defenses there by Mercado.#CL#
Mercado moves into the clinch.
Mercado lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barbosa backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mercado creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Barbosa tries for a takedown but Mercado manages to get underhooks.
Barbosa misses with a hook from the clinch.
A hook to the body from Barbosa.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Mercado dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.#R2#
Barbosa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mercado is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Mercado swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Barbosa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Barbosa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Barbosa cracks a nice hook into Mercado's ribs.
Barbosa throws an off balance right hand
and Mercado counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mercado misses with a hook to the body
and Barbosa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.#CL#
Mercado drives through and clinches with Barbosa against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Barbosa.
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Barbosa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mercado working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tyrese Mercado has scored more points in the clinch so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Barbosa misses with a punch on the inside.
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 has a couple of punches blocked by Barbosa.
Mercado lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Barbosa backwards.
A short uppercut from Mercado.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barbosa struggles to land a body shot inside as Mercado controls his hands. #T1#
Barbosa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mercado scores with a nice hook to the head.
Barbosa has had enough of the clinch but Mercado keeps him there for the moment.#BC#
Mercado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barbosa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mercado punishes Barbosa's body with a nice straight punch.
Mercado lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mercado.
Barbosa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too. #CL#
Mercado forces Barbosa back against the cage and clinches.#BC#
Mercado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.#CL#
Mercado moves into the clinch successfully.
Barbosa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mercado has a couple of punches blocked by Barbosa.
Mercado lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A frustrated look appears on Barbosa's face as he tries to break the clinch. #BC#
Mercado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance. #T2#
Mercado scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tyrese Mercado is winning the standup battle so far.
Mercado throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Barbosa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mercado fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barbosa circles away from the clinch attempt.
It seemed like Barbosa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Barbosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mercado.
Mercado lands a body shot.
Mercado tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Barbosa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Barbosa swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mercado connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mercado swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mercado tries to clinch there but Barbosa circles away.
Tyrese Mercado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.#CL#
Mercado has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mercado lands a big right hand that drops Barbosa! The killer instinct kicks in and Mercado finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Mercado!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tyrese Mercado!

Event: BANZAI COMBAT 1
Date: Dec 23, 2023

#R1#
Hooty scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Hooty throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercado.
Mercado slips a jab and a cross from Hooty.
Hooty showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mercado.
Kevin Hooty seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hooty scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Mercado throws a looping overhand right but Hooty ducks down to avoid it. #CL2#
Mercado has Hooty up against the cage in a clinch.
Mercado lands with a good tight uppercut to the head. #BC2#
Mercado breaks the clinch.
Hooty throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercado.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hooty throws a series of punches but Mercado moves out of range.
Mercado throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hooty throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air. #CL2#
Mercado has taken the fight to the clinch. #BC2#
Mercado pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mercado swings and misses with a hook to the body. #CL2#
Mercado forces Hooty back against the cage and clinches.
Mercado scores with a nice hook to the head.#T1#
Mercado throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hootys head.
Mercado throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hootys head. #BC2#
Mercado breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Hooty, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hooty lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mercado circles away quickly and effectively.
Mercado jabbing away but nothing is landing. #CL2#
Mercado clinches up with Hooty and pushes him back against the cage.
Mercado scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mercado scores with a shoulder strike.
Mercado lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hooty backwards.
Hooty really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hooty tries to break the clinch but Mercado is controlling the position.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mercado creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice 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!
Mercado scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mercado scores with a shoulder strike.
Mercado lands with a light punch inside. #T2#
Mercado lands a right hand. #ROC2#Hooty is rocked!
Hooty is trying to break the clinch but Mercado is controlling him.
Oh Hooty is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A head punch on the inside from Mercado fails to land.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hooty blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hooty.
Mercado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hooty seems to have got his legs back now.
A short right from Mercado on the inside.
Mercado creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Hooty's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Hooty drops to his knees and Mercado pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tyrese Mercado!

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