PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo FINITO (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sebastiano Marino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marino has chosen Hells Bells as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

FINITO
vs
Marino

166 cm
18
148 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

166 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricardo FINITO!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sebastiano Marino!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Anthony Taglia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marino slips a jab and a cross from FINITO.
FINITO ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
FINITO misses with a two punch combination.
FINITO connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Marino lands a slapping body shot.
Marino shoots in for a takedown but FINITO shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Marino slips a straight right by FINITO.
FINITO throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
FINITO paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A shot to the body from FINITO misses

and Marino counters by clinching up.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Marino pulls guard effortlessly.
Marino working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from FINITO.
Marino wants to sweep but no luck.
Marino is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
FINITO pushing down on Marino's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marino wants to improve his position but FINITO is controlling well.
Marino manages to get to full guard.
Marino is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Marino seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marino utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Marino pulls FINITO in to control the position.
Marino wants to sweep but no luck.
FINITO is looking to work some ground and pound but Marino has wrist control.
Marino is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Marino shoots in for a double leg but FINITO sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
FINITO misses with a looping left.
FINITO lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Marino looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? FINITO is fending him off so far but Marino persists. Nope, FINITO circles away and we're back to standing.
Ricardo FINITO has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sebastiano Marino.
FINITO looks to score with a jab to the body but Marino is just out of range.
FINITO swinging wildly here.
FINITO misses with a wild combination.
Marino defending well as FINITO loads up on a big left hand.
FINITO displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Marino.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
FINITO misses with a straight left.
FINITO scores with a nice strike.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marino.
Marino swings for the body but FINITO moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from Marino misses.
FINITO with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Marino shoots in looking for a takedown. FINITO tries to sprawl out of it but Marino keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. FINITO manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
FINITO thows a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
FINITO stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and FINITO wants it to stay on the feet.
Marino tries to close the distance and clinch but FINITO swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Marino closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Marino tries to advance to mount but FINITO denies him.
FINITO is not content to let Marino control the position.
Marino looks gassed!

Marino tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
FINITO is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo FINITO dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

FINITO defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Marino.
FINITO lands a jab-cross combination.
Marino fails to land the takedown.
FINITO misses with a body shot.
FINITO lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
FINITO throws a hook but Marino blocks it.
A shot to the body from FINITO misses

and Marino counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Marino looking to pass the guard.
Marino throwing strikes from guard but FINITO blocks nicely.
Marino must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
FINITO looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Marino postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! FINITO is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Marino, into his guard.

FINITO is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Marino is on top in guard.
Marino passes FINITO's left leg - he's now in half guard.

FINITO is defending against the submission attempts here by Marino.
Marino is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
FINITO is refusing to be controlled, as Marino sits in half guard.
FINITO moves into full guard.
Marino is looking to work some ground and pound but FINITO has wrist control.

Marino drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but FINITO manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Marino has FINITO in his guard.
Marino looking for a sweep. Not yet Marino, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marino pulls FINITO in close to his closed guard and prevents FINITO from doing any damage or advancing position.
Marino utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Marino preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
FINITO stopping the sweep attempt from Marino.
Marino is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Marino looking to hit a scissor sweep but FINITO is one step ahead there.
FINITO trying to control the position from guard on top but Marino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
FINITO displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
FINITO thuds a left hand into Marino's body.
A jab lands there for FINITO.
Marino shoots in but no luck this time.
Ricardo FINITO has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sebastiano Marino.
Marino needs to keep his hands up - FINITO had a free shot at his head there.
FINITO throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
FINITO misses with a wild body shot.
A left lands for FINITO.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
FINITO fails to land with a series of punches.
FINITO swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo FINITO dominated that second 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Marino shoots in but FINITO avoids the takedown attempt easily.
FINITO works Marino's body with a nice hook.

Marino drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Marino prevents FINITO from getting back to his feet.
FINITO looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Marino thows a big elbow that misses.

Marino drops back, looking for a kneebar! FINITO looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. FINITO looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from FINITO!
Marino is trying to control FINITO's posture but FINITO avoids it.

FINITO is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Marino has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marino sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Marino is pressing down on FINITO's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Marino wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Marino can do anything to dispel that myth.
Marino utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
FINITO stopping the sweep attempt from Marino.
FINITO wants to control from the top but Marino keeps moving.
Marino bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in FINITO's guard.
FINITO wants to sweep here but Marino controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marino with a flurry of punches that miss.
Marino would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Marino trying to control but FINITO is working from the bottom.

Marino has gone for a leg lock! FINITO slips out almost immediately though and dives into Marino's guard.
FINITO is pushing down on Marino's leg trying to pass to half guard. Marino is fighting to maintain full guard but FINITO has managed to sneak the leg through.
Marino wants to improve his position but FINITO is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

FINITO is trying to work for a kimura but Marino is defending well.
FINITO thows a huge punch but Marino dodges it nicely.
Marino has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. FINITO is working away from the top position though.
Marino tries to get to full guard but FINITO has control of the leg.
Marino tries to regain full guard. Instead though, FINITO has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
FINITO throws some wild stikes that Marino manages to avoid easily.
FINITO prevents Marino from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Marino tries to hold on but FINITO postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marino is looking to improve his position but FINITO isn't that keen on the idea.
Ricardo FINITO is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
FINITO looking to finish with strikes here!
Marino is trying desperately to improve position.
Sebastiano Marino has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
FINITO throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Marino because FINITO loaded up on that one.
Marino is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ricardo FINITO.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for FINITO, 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo FINITO!