PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steven Bean (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vittorino Merlino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vittorino Merlino is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Bean
vs
Merlino

185 cm
22
195 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
195 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ducksfoot Clothing - SALE!! All Items $10

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steven Bean!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Vittorino Merlino!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Paul Gruel and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bean misses with a low kick as Merlino jumps back.
Bean shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Merlino but Merlino pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bean is defended easily by Merlino.

Merlino drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Merlino in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Merlino with a flurry of punches that miss.
Merlino stands and throws Bean's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Merlino is trying to ground and pound but Bean uses the momentary lack of control by Merlino to regain half guard.

Merlino is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bean sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bean trying to control but Merlino postures up.

Merlino is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bean is just riding it out for now. Merlino eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bean makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bean.

Bean has his foot on Merlino's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Merlino works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlino forces his way into half guard.
Merlino thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Merlino is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bean is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Merlino is trying to work for a kimura but Bean is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merlino looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Merlino wants to work for an arm triangle but Bean is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Merlino uses his free foot to push down on Bean's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Bean.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlino throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Bean is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Merlino goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Bean is on top in guard.
Merlino has control of Bean's left arm, preventing Bean from doing any damage.
Merlino is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Merlino seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vittorino Merlino dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Merlino scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Merlino looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Merlino wants to pass the guard but Bean is defending well.

Merlino is looking for a kimura but Bean is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Merlino to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlino throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Merlino sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bean defending well though.

Merlino is trying to work for a kimura but Bean is defending well.
Merlino sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bean defending well though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bean is trying to maintain the position but Merlino is very close to passing his half guard.
Bean blocking the ground and pound attempt from Merlino.

Merlino is looking for a kimura here.
Vittorino Merlino has got the better of the ground game so far.
Merlino passes to full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlino punching from mount but Bean doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Merlino jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Bean manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Bean is trying to control Merlino's posture but Merlino avoids it.

Merlino looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merlino is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bean knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Merlino goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Bean rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Merlino's guard! Nice work there by Bean!
Bean is looking to work some ground and pound but Merlino has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlino bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bean's guard.

Merlino is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bean is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bean has escaped and now he's on top!
Bean sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Merlino's guard.

Bean is working for a submission of some sort.
Merlino wants to control but Bean is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vittorino Merlino showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Merlino bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Merlino working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Merlino is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bean knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Merlino is trying to get an arm triangle but Bean is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlino tries to advance to mount but Bean denies him.

Merlino thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Bean tries to buck Merlino off but Merlino is having none of it.
Merlino with the ground and pound but Bean regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

Merlino is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bean has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bean tries to roll over but Merlino keeps him under control.
Merlino not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bean is trying to maintain the position but Merlino is very close to passing his half guard.
Merlino not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Merlino thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bean's head.

Merlino is trying to work for a kimura but Bean is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlino not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Merlino is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Bean wants to control but Merlino is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Merlino wants to work for an arm triangle but Bean is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bean avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Merlino.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merlino is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Merlino missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Merlino is working for a submission of some sort.
Merlino frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vittorino Merlino really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bean shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Merlino closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bean quickly recovers to half guard.
Merlino looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Bean is trying to escape back to his feet but Merlino uses the scramble to pass into side control.

Merlino is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bean has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bean is looking to reverse the position.

Merlino wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bean, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Merlino working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Merlino is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bean is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Merlino working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Merlino is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bean is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bean is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Merlino off and has taken his back!

Merlino preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Bean.
Merlino wants to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merlino is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Merlino trying to control the position but Bean manages to sink in the hooks.
Merlino rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Bean seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Merlino is defending against the submission attempts here by Bean.

Bean wants to work for an arm triangle but Merlino is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Bean is working for a submission of some sort.
Merlino keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vittorino Merlino dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Merlino looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Bean has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Merlino is working away from the top position though.
Bean wants to get back to his feet.

Merlino is trying to work for a kimura but Bean is defending well.

Merlino wants to work for an arm triangle but Bean is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Merlino is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bean doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Merlino.
Bean regains full guard. Nicely done.
Merlino trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlino is looking to advance position but Bean has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlino manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Merlino is controlling Bean's trapped leg to prevent Bean from advancing to side control.
Bean wants to control but Merlino is keeping him busy.

Bean is looking for a kimura here.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bean wants to free his trapped foot but Merlino is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bean is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Bean is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Merlino preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Merlino is pressing down on Bean's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Merlino trying to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vittorino Merlino comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Merlino has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 45:50
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 45:50
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vittorino Merlino!
During a confident post fight interview, Vittorino Merlino thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.