PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Wikus Van Der Merwe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateo Vrbnjak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vrbnjak has chosen Wild boys as his entrance music. Mateo Vrbnjak has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Wikus Van Der Merwe's chin.

Van Der Merwe
vs
Vrbnjak

215 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
18
132 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Wikus Van Der Merwe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mateo Vrbnjak!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Dmitry Maklakov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vrbnjak tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Der Merwe swivels and escapes.
Vrbnjak looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Van Der Merwe fails to land with a series of punches.
Vrbnjak keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch but Vrbnjak is having none of it.
Vrbnjak connects with a body shot that sends Van Der Merwe's belly button to the back.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch

and Vrbnjak counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Vrbnjak.
Vrbnjak tries to pull guard but Van Der Merwe won't allow it.
Wikus Van Der Merwe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateo Vrbnjak.
Van Der Merwe is trying to maintain a safe position but Vrbnjak gets an underhook and turns Van Der Merwe into the cage.
Van Der Merwe misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Van Der Merwe gets underhooks to prevent Vrbnjak's takedown attempt.
Van Der Merwe tries a body shot but Vrbnjak blocks it.
Van Der Merwe pushes off an throws an elbow but Vrbnjak leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Van Der Merwe misses with a punch on the inside.
Vrbnjak tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van Der Merwe's elbow.
Vrbnjak is trying to drag Van Der Merwe to the mat but Van Der Merwe just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Van Der Merwe is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrbnjak wants to take the fight to the mat but Van Der Merwe manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Vrbnjak has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Van Der Merwe uses from the top position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Van Der Merwe trying to control but Vrbnjak is working from the bottom.

Vrbnjak throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Van Der Merwe wanted to stand there but Vrbnjak had control of the position.
Van Der Merwe trying to control the position from guard on top but Vrbnjak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe throws an elbow that misses. Vrbnjak uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Van Der Merwe's guard. Nice move by Vrbnjak!
Vrbnjak is looking to work some ground and pound but Van Der Merwe has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Der Merwe wants to get back to his feet but Vrbnjak is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrbnjak is stalling in the full guard.
Let's hope that Vrbnjak has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

We're going to have a standup here because Wikus Van Der Merwe wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Vrbnjak throws a quick inside leg kick.
Vrbnjak throws the kick towards the body but Van Der Merwe avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe just misses with a punch to the body.
Van Der Merwe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vrbnjak manages to avoid it.
Vrbnjak closes the distance and clinches up with Van Der Merwe, looking for a takedown. Vrbnjak pushes Van Der Merwe against the cage but Van Der Merwe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Van Der Merwe wants to clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vrbnjak swats away the attempt to clinch by Van Der Merwe.
Van Der Merwe is looking to clinch.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch but Vrbnjak moves out of range.
Vrbnjak keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Van Der Merwe.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Der Merwe moves to clinch but Vrbnjak breaks away
and Vrbnjak counters with a left and a right that stings Van Der Merwe.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch but Vrbnjak moves out of range.
Van Der Merwe tries to bum rush Vrbnjak with a series of wild strikes but Vrbnjak uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Wikus Van Der Merwe will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Van Der Merwe keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vrbnjak shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Van Der Merwe pinned against the cage. Van Der Merwe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wikus Van Der Merwe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Van Der Merwe shoots for a double leg takedown but Vrbnjak sprawls well. He's pushed Van Der Merwe's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Van Der Merwe misses with a looping left.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch but Vrbnjak moves out of range.
Van Der Merwe doesn't manage to clinch there - Vrbnjak circles away.
Van Der Merwe moves to clinch but Vrbnjak breaks away

and Vrbnjak counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Van Der Merwe!
Van Der Merwe tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Van Der Merwe manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
Van Der Merwe gets back to full guard.
Van Der Merwe really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vrbnjak prevents Van Der Merwe from getting back to his feet.
Vrbnjak wants to get up but he can't break Van Der Merwe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vrbnjak postures up in Van Der Merwe's guard and throws a big left but Van Der Merwe blocks it.
Vrbnjak prevents Van Der Merwe from getting back to his feet.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Van Der Merwe is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Wikus Van Der Merwe wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Vrbnjak dives in and grabs Van Der Merwe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Van Der Merwe pushes down on Vrbnjak's head and hops out.
Wikus Van Der Merwe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateo Vrbnjak.
Van Der Merwe moves in looking to clinch but Vrbnjak pushes him off.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch

and Vrbnjak counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Vrbnjak.
Van Der Merwe tries to work over Vrbnjak's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vrbnjak tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vrbnjak is breathing heavily.
With the fighters up against the cage, Van Der Merwe throws an elbow but misses.

Vrbnjak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vrbnjak bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Van Der Merwe tries to close the distance and clinch but Vrbnjak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Van Der Merwe is looking to clinch but Vrbnjak is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Van Der Merwe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Van Der Merwe moves in looking to clinch but Vrbnjak pushes him off.
Vrbnjak closes the distance and clinches up with Van Der Merwe, looking for a takedown. Vrbnjak pushes Van Der Merwe against the cage but Van Der Merwe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Van Der Merwe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch up.
Van Der Merwe looks to clinch
and Van Der Merwe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Van Der Merwe wants to clinch.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch but Vrbnjak moves out of range.
Van Der Merwe wants to clinch but Vrbnjak slips to the side
and Vrbnjak counters with a one-two to the body.
Van Der Merwe closes the distance and clinches up with Vrbnjak, looking for a takedown. Van Der Merwe pushes Vrbnjak against the cage but Vrbnjak circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Van Der Merwe or perhaps it was just good defense by Vrbnjak which made him look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vrbnjak leaves Van Der Merwe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Vrbnjak as Van Der Merwe shoots in.
Van Der Merwe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vrbnjak tries to score a power double leg takedown but Van Der Merwe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vrbnjak somewhat.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vrbnjak tries to clinch up.
Van Der Merwe scores with a jab.
Vrbnjak throws a head kick but Van Der Merwe moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Wikus Van Der Merwe will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Van Der Merwe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Van Der Merwe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Van Der Merwe closes the distance but Vrbnjak moves to the side

and Vrbnjak holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vrbnjak leaning his opponent against the cage.
Van Der Merwe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Vrbnjak is stalling here.
Van Der Merwe throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Van Der Merwe tries to throw a body punch but Vrbnjak avoids it by throwing Van Der Merwe back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Vrbnjak as Van Der Merwe tries to tie him up.

Vrbnjak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vrbnjak fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrbnjak circles away from the clinch attempt

and Vrbnjak moves into the clinch.
Van Der Merwe is trying to stall.
Vrbnjak putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Van Der Merwe in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Van Der Merwe wants to stall.
Vrbnjak changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Van Der Merwe fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Vrbnjak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vrbnjak swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Vrbnjak manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Der Merwe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vrbnjak looks for a takedown but Van Der Merwe sprawls well.
Wikus Van Der Merwe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateo Vrbnjak.
Vrbnjak keeps the fight on the outside.
Van Der Merwe is looking to clinch.
Van Der Merwe thows a body shot but no joy.
Vrbnjak shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Van Der Merwe defends it nicely.
Van Der Merwe wants to clinch up but Vrbnjak keeps it at a distance.
Van Der Merwe wants to clinch.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch but Vrbnjak moves out of range.
Vrbnjak uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Der Merwe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrbnjak fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Van Der Merwe wants to clinch but Vrbnjak slips to the side
and Vrbnjak counters with a nice body kick.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch up.
Van Der Merwe tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Vrbnjak manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Van Der Merwe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wikus Van Der Merwe is winning the standup battle so far.
Van Der Merwe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vrbnjak swats away the attempt to clinch by Van Der Merwe.
Vrbnjak tries to clinch but Van Der Merwe is having none of it.
Van Der Merwe wants to clinch

and Vrbnjak counters by moving into the clinch.
Vrbnjak with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Van Der Merwe misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrbnjak tries to score a body lock takedown but Van Der Merwe shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Van Der Merwe stalling in the clinch but Vrbnjak improves position.
Vrbnjak blocks a body shot from Van Der Merwe.
Vrbnjak blocks a body shot from Van Der Merwe.
Van Der Merwe looking to slow down the pace here.
Van Der Merwe throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Vrbnjak blocks it with crossed arms.
Van Der Merwe is looking to control Vrbnjak's arms but Vrbnjak gets an underhook and turns him. Now Van Der Merwe has his back to the cage.
Vrbnjak avoiding damage as Van Der Merwe throws knees to the body.
Van Der Merwe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van Der Merwe has a couple of punches blocked by Vrbnjak.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Der Merwe is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vrbnjak is defending well for now.

Vrbnjak manages to break the clinch.
Vrbnjak shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Van Der Merwe pinned against the cage. Van Der Merwe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mateo Vrbnjak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wikus Van Der Merwe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vrbnjak is defended easily by Van Der Merwe.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wikus Van Der Merwe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Van Der Merwe, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wikus Van Der Merwe!
A relieved looking Wikus Van Der Merwe thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.