PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yip Man Iii (ranked 480 p4p, 893 weight class) and Herve Cabrera (ranked 66 p4p, 119 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Man Iii
vs
Cabrera

182 cm
24
165
16 - 5 - 0

177 cm
26
155
13 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

New Standard
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Voodoo Nutrition
FF Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yip Man Iii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Herve Cabrera!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Man Iii looks to land a right hand but Cabrera moved out of range.
Man Iii tries to land a front kick but Cabrera steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Man Iii throws a big shot that misses.
Cabrera misses with an uppercut.
Man Iii bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cabrera catches Man Iii with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Man Iii ducks under a wild hook from Cabrera.
Cabrera staying out of range there.
Man Iii looks to land a body kick but Cabrera moved away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cabrera shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Man Iii napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cabrera tries to advance to mount but Man Iii denies him.
Man Iii parries the strikes from Cabrera easily there. Cabrera is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Man Iii to escape.
Man Iii is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera advances to mount.
Cabrera throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Man Iii because Cabrera loaded up on that one.
Cabrera with good strikes from the mount here!
Cabrera tries to push Man Iii's head away but Man Iii is holding on tight.
Cabrera scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Man Iii avoids a series of strikes thrown by Cabrera.
Cabrera misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Cabrera throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cabrera landing strikes from the mount.
Cabrera sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Man Iii blocking the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Man Iii manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by Man Iii, under a barage of strikes from Cabrera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Man Iii wants to get back to his feet.
Cabrera not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Cabrera 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.
Man Iii has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Cabrera wants to pass to mount but Man Iii is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cabrera slips a nice elbow through Man Iii's hands, connecting with Man Iii's forehead.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Man Iii avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cabrera.
Cabrera thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Man Iii's head.

Cabrera is working for a kimura but Man Iii is defending it quite comfortably.
Cabrera thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Man Iii's head.
Cabrera thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Man Iii's head.
Man Iii won't allow Cabrera to pass to mount.
Cabrera thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Man Iii is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cabrera scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera wants to pass to mount but Man Iii is defending the position.
Cabrera thows a huge punch but Man Iii dodges it nicely.
Cabrera sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Man Iii defending well though.
Cabrera throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Man Iii blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cabrera.
Cabrera missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Man Iii blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cabrera.
Man Iii is trying to get back to full guard.
Cabrera missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cabrera not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Man Iii taking some punishment here, with Cabrera in his half guard.
Cabrera misses with a head shot. Man Iii uses the momentum to regain guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Herve Cabrera dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Man Iii looks to land a left hand but Cabrera moved out of range nicely.
And Cabrera tries to counter it with a takedown but Man Iii pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Man Iii uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cabrera.
Man Iii looks to score with a jab to the body but Cabrera is just out of range.
Cabrera with a nice calf kick.
Cabrera cracks Man Iii with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Man Iii loads up on a big right hand but Cabrera slips the punch.
Cabrera tries to clinch but Man Iii moves out of range.
It looked like Man Iii wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A nice leg kick from Cabrera, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Man Iii lands a nice shot that snaps Cabrera's head back.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cabrera lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Man Iii has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Man Iii and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Man Iii misses with a hook.
Cabrera throws a leg kick but Man Iii sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Man Iii throws a looping overhand right but Cabrera ducks down to avoid it.
Man Iii backing away here, and Cabrera unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A jab from Man Iii misses.
Herve Cabrera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Man Iii throws a hook but Cabrera avoids it easily.
Man Iii throws a push kick but Cabrera slaps the foot to one side.
Cabrera was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Cabrera swings for the body but Man Iii moves out of range.
Man Iii throws a hook but Cabrera blocks it.
Cabrera feints the counter takedown.
Cabrera throws a low kick but Man Iii avoids it.
Man Iii throwing a counter right hand but Cabrera manages to avoid it.
Cabrera scores with a hook.
Man Iii's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cabrera connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Man Iii scrambles back to his feet.
Man Iii throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cabrera sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cabrera 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.
Cabrera cracks Man Iii with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera scores with a three punch combo!
Jab, jab by Cabrera - just one landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cabrera misses with an uppercut.
It looked like Man Iii wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Man Iii takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cabrera throws a body punch but Man Iii moves out of range.
Man Iii throwing a counter right hand but Cabrera manages to avoid it.
Cabrera misses with a leg kick
and Man Iii counters with a nice uppercut.
Cabrera fails to land the takedown.
Man Iii quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Man Iii leaves Cabrera with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cabrera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera shoots in looking for a takedown but Man Iii manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cabrera's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Yip Man Iii has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Herve Cabrera.
Cabrera moves out of range as Man Iii strikes.
It seemed like Cabrera was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Man Iii ducks under a wild hook from Cabrera.
Man Iii swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Man Iii with a nice calf kick.
Cabrera with the inside leg kick.
Cabrera scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cabrera throws a lazy right hand but Man Iii sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cabrera throws a leg kick that misses.
Cabrera lands an overhand right.
Cabrera throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Cabrera lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cabrera fails with the takedown
and Man Iii cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Man Iii misses with a body shot.
Cabrera throws a leg kick
and Man Iii counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cabrera fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Man Iii avoids it really well and circles away.
Cabrera lands a jab to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Herve Cabrera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Man Iii misses with a hook
and Cabrera counters with a straight right hand.
An inside leg kick lands from Cabrera.
Herve Cabrera seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Man Iii pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Man Iii bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cabrera stuns Man Iii with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cabrera throws a big shot that misses.
Cabrera lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cabrera.
Man Iii moves out of range of the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Man Iii on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Cabrera.
Man Iii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cabrera.
It looked like Man Iii wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cabrera walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Man Iii checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Man Iii is looking to counter punch.
Cabrera misses the jab.
Man Iii was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera with a nice cross.
Man Iii throws a hook but Cabrera blocks it.
Cabrera shoots in but no luck this time.
Cabrera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Man Iii.
Man Iii stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cabrera.
Man Iii takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cabrera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Man Iii.
A little jabbing left from Cabrera on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Man Iii ducks under a wild hook from Cabrera.
And Man Iii counters with a quick kick to the body but Cabrera blocks it.
Cabrera throws a jab but it's blocked by Man Iii.
Cabrera ducks under a wild hook from Man Iii.

Man Iii gets caught napping as Cabrera dives in and scores a takedown. Man Iii manages to retain guard.
Yip Man Iii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera chips away with some ground and pound.
Cabrera postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Man Iii utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cabrera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cabrera stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Man Iii swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cabrera lands a couple of digs.
Cabrera stops Man Iii from standing up.
Cabrera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cabrera loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cabrera throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cabrera throwing strikes from guard but Man Iii blocks nicely.
Man Iii preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cabrera accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cabrera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cabrera is working Man Iii over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cabrera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Cabrera working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Cabrera trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Man Iii manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Cabrera looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Cabrera working for a triangle but Man Iii defends it easily.
Man Iii is looking to stand up but Cabrera won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera looking for a sweep. Not yet Cabrera, not yet.
Cabrera is still trying to improve position.

Man Iii avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cabrera has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Cabrera has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Man Iii can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Man Iii accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Cabrera has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Man Iii can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cabrera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Man Iii.

Cabrera working for a triangle but Man Iii defends it easily.
Cabrera wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
Herve Cabrera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cabrera has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Herve Cabrera!
Herve Cabrera thanked the fans post fight for their support.