PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chet Savage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Merlino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Merlino has chosen Mobb Deep - Survival Of The Fittest as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Savage
vs
Merlino

213 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Chet Savage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Peter Merlino!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Richard Clark and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savage throws a series of punches but Merlino moves out of range.
Merlino wants to counter the offense by Savage and move into the clinch position.
Merlino defending well as Savage loads up on a big left hand.

Merlino moves into the clinch.
Merlino is trying to stall.
Merlino is trying to force a seperation but Savage has the dominant position.
The referee calls for Savage to work.
Savage slows down the pace here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Savage breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Savage throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Merlino.
Merlino is trying hard to land a takedown here. Savage sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Merlino gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Savage blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Savage breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Merlino fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Savage sprawls well initially but Merlino persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Savage really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Merlino is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Savage is just riding it out for now. Merlino eventually gives up the hold.
Merlino wants to control but Savage is keeping him busy.
Merlino really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Savage. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Savage has his hands clasped together around Merlino's back. He's all about the action.
Merlino is trying to control. Savage wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savage flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Savage wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are battling for position here. Savage manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Savage looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlino is one step ahead there.
Savage trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Savage keeping moving, preventing Merlino from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savage is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Merlino dives into side control.
Merlino tries to move to mount but Savage blocks the move with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage regains half guard.
Savage is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Merlino's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Merlino's back!

Merlino fending off the submission attempt from Savage.

Merlino is looking to escape but he's done so without protecting himself and Savage manages to counter with a nice rear naked choke! Merlino is in trouble and he's forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Chet Savage!