PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Prince Merritt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Rodriguez will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Merritt
vs
Rodriguez

177 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

170 cm
25
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Prince Merritt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ivan Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Merritt gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rodriguez's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Merritt manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rodriguez gets to his feet. Merritt looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rodriguez throws a push kick but Merritt slaps the foot to one side.
Merritt tries a head kick but it misses.
Merritt just misses with a punch to the body.
Merritt keeps the fight on the outside.

Merritt moves into the clinch.
Rodriguez lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Merritt backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez lands an elbow that stopped Merritt in his tracks for a moment.
Rodriguez tries a knee to the head but Merritt blocks it.
Merritt tries to pull guard but Rodriguez won't allow it.

Merritt has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rodriguez uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merritt swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rodriguez pushing down on Merritt's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Rodriguez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rodriguez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rodriguez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Merritt does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Merritt is trying to get back to full guard.
Rodriguez keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rodriguez is stalling here. Merritt is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Rodriguez seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Merritt has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Merritt stands up.

Merritt gets a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rodriguez drags the fight down to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Merritt gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Rodriguez tries to clinch
and Merritt counters with a series of strikes. Rodriguez will be more careful next time no doubt.

Rodriguez darts in and clinches Merritt up against the cage.
Rodriguez's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Merritt fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Merritt tries to pull guard but Rodriguez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Prince Merritt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rodriguez.
Merritt is trying to push Rodriguez away but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rodriguez scores with a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez misses with a knee to the head.
Rodriguez is trying to stall.
Rodriguez is stalling here.
Merritt tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rodriguez smiles and moves away.

Rodriguez moves into range and clinches up with Merritt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rodriguez has picked Merritt up - he's going for a ride! Rodriguez dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
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!
Rodriguez prevents Merritt from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Rodriguez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Merritt pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rodriguez closes the distance but Merritt moves to the side
and Merritt counters with a head kick. That will keep Rodriguez thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Merritt pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Merritt has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rodriguez lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Merritt takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Prince Merritt has been cut.
Merritt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rodriguez lands a damaging elbow.
Rodriguez lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Merritt.

Rodriguez has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Merritt regains guard immediately.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodriguez stopping the sweep attempt from Merritt.
Rodriguez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ivan Rodriguez has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Merritt has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Merritt keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.
Rodriguez sitting in guard here, content to control.

Rodriguez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Merritt, up you get!

Merritt moves into the clinch.
Rodriguez stops a takedown attempt from Merritt.
Merritt looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merritt takes a knee right on the jaw!

Merritt is rocked!
Rodriguez has a couple of punches blocked by Merritt.
Oh Merritt is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ivan Rodriguez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rodriguez has Merritt pressed up against the cage in a tight Thai clinch. Merritt is arching his back, trying to avoid the knees but a big one sneaks through from Rodriguez - that's hurt Merritt badly! Oh, another knee lands and Merritt is covering up! The referee steps in to save him - possibly a bit early but Merritt doesn't seem to be complaining.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Ivan Rodriguez!