PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Franco Merallio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Romeo Platinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Franco Merallio looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Merallio
vs
Platinov

200 cm
25
255 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

192 cm
22
247 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Boomerang! Costume Shop ($12 Fun Gear)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Franco Merallio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Romeo Platinov!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Merallio misses.
Platinov stuffs the takedown attempt from Merallio. Merallio gets slowly back to his feet.
Merallio shoots for a takedown but Platinov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Platinov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Merallio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Platinov counters with a series of strikes that sends Merallio to the canvas! Platinov follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!

Merallio is rocked!
Merallio is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Platinov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Oh Merallio is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Platinov pushes down on Merallio's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Platinov wants to control but Merallio is keeping him busy.
Merallio seems to have got his legs back now.

Platinov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Merallio doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Platinov.

Platinov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Merallio is just riding it out for now. Platinov eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Platinov trying to control from half guard but Merallio is working away.

Platinov 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.

Platinov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Merallio defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

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

Platinov seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Merallio has recovered full guard.
Merallio seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Platinov stands and throws Merallio's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merallio is looking for a sweep.

Platinov is trying to get an arm triangle but Merallio is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merallio gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Merallio tries to lock up and control but Platinov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Platinov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Merallio is looking to escape.
Merallio prevents Platinov from taking his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Platinov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Merallio tries to control Platinov's body but Platinov pushes him off. Merallio squirms to his side and now Platinov has his back!

Platinov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Merallio is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Merallio tries to roll but Platinov sticks to his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Romeo Platinov 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.

Merallio takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Platinov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

It looks like Franco Merallio has been cut.
Platinov misses with a series of wild punches.
Platinov's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Platinov duly obliges.
Romeo Platinov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Platinov tries to bum rush Merallio with a series of wild strikes but Merallio uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Romeo Platinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Platinov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Merallio circles away quickly and effectively.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Merallio.
Platinov works over Merallio's head and body with a nice combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Platinov with a hook.
Platinov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Merallio holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Platinov jumps into guard, dragging Merallio to the mat.
Merallio looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Merallio wants to control from the top but Platinov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Platinov controls Merallio momentarily but Merallio frees himself.
Merallio has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Merallio looking to sit in guard and control but Platinov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Merallio keeping moving, preventing Platinov from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Platinov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Platinov keeps the fight on the outside.
Merallio wants to clinch up but Platinov keeps it at a distance.
Platinov tries to bum rush Merallio with a series of wild strikes but Merallio uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Platinov wants to clinch up but Merallio keeps it at a distance.
Merallio keeps the fight on the outside.
Platinov keeps the fight on the outside.
Merallio has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Platinov finds it's way round the side to connect with Merallio's head.
Platinov looks to land a right hand but Merallio moved out of range.
Merallio looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Platinov scores with the left hand. Merallio knows he should have avoided that one.
Platinov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Platinov.
Platinov throws a right hand that Merallio ducks under and follows up with a left that Merallio also avoids with ease.
Platinov scores with a jab to the head.
Platinov misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Platinov lands a really nice looking cross but Merallio seems unphased.
Merallio keeps the fight on the outside.
Platinov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Platinov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Franco Merallio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Platinov closes the distance looking to clinch

and Merallio counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Platinov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Platinov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Merallio just stands there and leans against the cage.

Merallio breaks the clinch.
Platinov wants to clinch

and Merallio moves into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Platinov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Platinov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Merallio lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Platinov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Romeo Platinov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Franco Merallio's cut.
That's time! Merallio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Merallio fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Platinov tries to bum rush Merallio with a series of wild strikes but Merallio uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Platinov misses with a double jab

and Merallio counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Platinov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Platinov tries to clinch but Merallio is having none of it.
Platinov misses with a series of wild punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Platinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Platinov looks to land a combination but Merallio avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Merallio has managed to clinch.
Platinov looking to slow down the pace here.
Merallio controlling the action here for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Merallio as Platinov tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merallio lands a hook that snaps the head of Platinov backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Platinov.
Merallio goes for a takedown in the clinch but Platinov prevents it.

Platinov jumps into guard, dragging Merallio to the mat.
Merallio looking to pass the guard.
Merallio won't allow Platinov to sweep him here.
Platinov trying to keep a closed guard but Merallio is proving a slippery customer.
Platinov looking for a sweep. Not yet Platinov, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Platinov wants to stand up but Merallio is controlling him.
Merallio looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Platinov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Merallio!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merallio keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Platinov is working for a guillotine from mount but Merallio frees his head quite easily.
Merallio keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Platinov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Merallio is desperately trying to improve his position but Platinov has a good base and remains in mount.
Platinov looking to control but Merallio is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Platinov working for a submission but Merallio is keeping him at bay.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Romeo Platinov really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Franco Merallio's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice straight punches there by Platinov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Platinov.
Platinov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Merallio circles away quickly and effectively.
Platinov misses with a series of wild punches.
Platinov misses with the combination.
Merallio will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Merallio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Platinov misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merallio slips a jab and a cross from Platinov.

Merallio has closed the distance and engaged Platinov in a clinch.

Merallio breaks the clinch.
Platinov swinging wildly here.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Merallio dodges the punch combination from Platinov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merallio shoots and misses
and Platinov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Romeo Platinov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Merallio takes one to the side of the head.
Platinov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Merallio shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Platinov as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franco Merallio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merallio takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Platinov misses with a looping left.
Platinov stuffs the takedown attempt from Merallio. Merallio gets slowly back to his feet.
Platinov throws a one two combo.
Platinov fails to land with a series of punches.
Platinov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Merallio shoots in looking for a takedown. Platinov tries to sprawl out of it but Merallio keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Platinov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Merallio gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Merallio. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Merallio as Platinov tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Platinov wants to break free but Merallio has control.
Platinov tries to pull guard but Merallio won't allow it.
Platinov has had enough of the clinch but Merallio keeps him there for the moment.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Platinov has had enough of the clinch but Merallio keeps him there for the moment.
Merallio manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Merallio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Merallio is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Platinov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Platinov blocks an elbow strike.

Platinov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Merallio has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Merallio there as he acknowledges the shot.
Merallio avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jab from Merallio.
Platinov scores with a one two! Merallio had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Platinov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Merallio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Merallio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Platinov fails to land with a series of punches.
The fighters circling - Platinov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Merallio fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Platinov lands a jab-cross combination.
Merallio fails to land the takedown.
Platinov throws a right and a left that Merallio avoids nicely.
Platinov tries to clinch there but Merallio circles away.
Merallio changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Platinov tries to avoid it but Merallio manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Platinov to the ground. Platinov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Platinov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Platinov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Platinov slaps away a takedown attempt from Merallio, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Platinov!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Merallio fails with an attempt to clinch.

Merallio closes the distance and clinches.
Platinov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Platinov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Platinov tries to pull guard but Merallio won't allow it.
Platinov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Come on Merallio - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Platinov blocks an uppercut.
Platinov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Come on Platinov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Merallio looking to throw knees to the head but Platinov is blocking nicely.
Platinov looking to stall.
Merallio lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Platinov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Merallio breaks the clinch.
Merallio closes this distance looking for a takedown but Platinov circles away.
Donk. Platinov catches Merallio right on the button with a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Romeo Platinov dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Franco Merallio's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Platinov digs a good hook to Merallio's body.
Platinov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A punch combination from Merallio misses.
Platinov misses with a double jab.
Platinov throws a right hand that Merallio ducks under and follows up with a left that Merallio also avoids with ease.
Merallio shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Platinov defends it nicely.
Platinov throws a combination that misses
and Merallio counters with a series of strikes. Platinov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Merallio dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Merallio throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Platinov's waist but Platinov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Merallio off to one side.
Platinov throws a combination that misses

and Merallio holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Merallio is working for takedown but Platinov is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franco Merallio. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Platinov jumps into guard, dragging Merallio to the mat.
Merallio wants to pass the guard but Platinov is keeping the position.
Platinov is trying to keep Merallio in close.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Platinov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Merallio is controlling him.
Platinov wants to control but Merallio passes easily into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Merallio in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Merallio is stalling here. Platinov is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Merallio seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Platinov has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Platinov trying to control the position but Merallio is working away.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merallio is trying to get back to half guard.

Platinov decides to stand back up.
Platinov throws a series of punches but Merallio moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Platinov. No joy for Merallio on that attempt.
Platinov 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.
Platinov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Merallio.
Franco Merallio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Platinov stuffs the takedown attempt from Merallio. Merallio gets slowly back to his feet.
Platinov looks to land a combination but Merallio avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Platinov slaps away a takedown attempt from Merallio, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Merallio dodges the punch combination from Platinov.
Platinov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Merallio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Romeo Platinov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Platinov lands a two punch combo.

Merallio gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Merallio keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Platinov's efforts to push away.
Platinov is looking to control Merallio's arms but Merallio gets an underhook and turns him. Now Platinov has his back to the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A short body shot lands from Merallio as the two fighters clinch.

Platinov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Merallio fails in his attempt to clinch.
Platinov drops his hands momentarily and Merallio takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romeo Platinov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Platinov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight for Romeo Platinov!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Romeo Platinov!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Romeo Platinov!

Romeo Platinov wins by unanimous decision!