PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rain Hernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and mirko filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hernandez comes to the cage accompanied by 3 Stars and a Sun by Francis M. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hernandez
vs
filipovic

193 cm
21
200 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

185 cm
22
196 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rain Hernandez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, mirko filipovic!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hernandez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hernandez there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hernandez checks a leg kick.
Hernandez gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
filipovic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hernandez is out of range and filipovic settles back down.
filipovic works over Hernandez's head and body with a nice combination.
filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
filipovic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hernandez.
filipovic misses with the combination.
filipovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Hernandez digs a good hook to filipovic's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez throws a body punch but filipovic moves out of range.
Hernandez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hernandez misses with a double jab
and filipovic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hernandez avoids the head kick by filipovic.
No joy there for filipovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hernandez shoots in but filipovic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hernandez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick by filipovic misses
and Hernandez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A low kick from filipovic is predictable there
and Hernandez counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez closes the distance and clinches up with filipovic, looking for a takedown. Hernandez pushes filipovic against the cage but filipovic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rain Hernandez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
filipovic throws a leg kick
and Hernandez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
mirko filipovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hernandez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and filipovic counters with a lovely straight right hand!
filipovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hernandez counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. filipovic is lucky that one didn't land flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
filipovic throws a right and a left that Hernandez avoids nicely.
Hernandez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
filipovic gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Hernandez counters with a straight right hand.
filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a head kick. That will keep filipovic thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Hernandez throws a combination that misses
and filipovic counters with a three punch combo that has Hernandez backing up. Hernandez nods at filipovic to acknowledge the strikes.
filipovic throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hernandez counters with a three punch combo that has filipovic backing up. filipovic nods at Hernandez to acknowledge the strikes.
filipovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Hernandez counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
filipovic gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Hernandez is breathing heavily.

Hernandez has control of filipovic's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and filipovic regains control of the situation pretty easily.
filipovic wants to control but Hernandez is having none of it.

Hernandez is going olschool here, as he tries to force filipovic to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so filipovic shrugs it off.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hernandez prevents filipovic from getting the reversal.
Hernandez with a couple of short strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hernandez working for a submission but filipovic is keeping him at bay.
Hernandez throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for filipovic because Hernandez loaded up on that one.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if filipovic can do anything to dispel that myth.
filipovic really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hernandez lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hernandez lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
filipovic can't escape the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hernandez sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
filipovic is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rain Hernandez dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

filipovic misses with a leg kick
and Hernandez counters with a one-two to the body.
Hernandez fails with an attempt to clinch.
filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a series of strikes. filipovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rain Hernandez is winning the standup battle so far.
Hernandez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
filipovic throws a sloppy head kick
and Hernandez counters with an outside leg kick.
Hernandez lands with a slapping head kick.
filipovic throws a head kick that misses

and Hernandez counters with a head kick that drops filipovic to the mat! filipovic scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

filipovic is rocked!
A head kick from Hernandez lands but filipovic takes it in his stride.
filipovic is still on wobbly legs! Can Hernandez finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
filipovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hernandez makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. filipovic really felt that one!
filipovic is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
filipovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
filipovic seems to have recovered his senses.
Rain Hernandez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Hernandez moves into the clinch successfully.
Hernandez lands an elbow that stopped filipovic in his tracks for a moment.
Hernandez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hernandez throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
filipovic working hard to break the clinch.
Hernandez lands a nice elbow.

Hernandez manages to break the clinch.
filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a good low kick that filipovic was not able to check.
filipovic tries to land a body kick

and Hernandez counters with a shoot takedown. filipovic fights it but they end up in guard.

Hernandez gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hernandez lands a jab-cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez cracks filipovic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A combination from Hernandez does no damage.
A low kick from filipovic misses
and Hernandez counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A left and a right from filipovic both land. Nice combination.
Hernandez throws a series of punches but filipovic avoids them all with ease.
filipovic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hernandez in his tracks.
filipovic throws a lazy head kick

and Hernandez counters with a single leg into guard. filipovic didn't expect that.
Hernandez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
filipovic keeping moving, preventing Hernandez from controlling successfully.
Rain Hernandez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hernandez passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hernandez decides to stand up, so the ref orders filipovic to his feet.
Hernandez tries to clinch there but filipovic circles away.
filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a straight right hand.
filipovic moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hernandez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that filipovic can do to turn this around?

Hernandez has filipovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Hernandez gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Hernandez breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
filipovic misses with a double jab.
filipovic misses with a two punch combination.
A good leg kick by Hernandez.
filipovic moves in looking to clinch but Hernandez pushes him off.
Hernandez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but filipovic circles away quickly and effectively.
Hernandez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Hernandez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
filipovic throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hernandez counters with a series of strikes. filipovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hernandez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Jab by Hernandez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rain Hernandez dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

filipovic looks to land a right hand but Hernandez moved out of range.
Hernandez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
filipovic scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
filipovic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hernandez.
Hernandez looks to land a combination but filipovic avoids it well.
filipovic misses with a double jab
and Hernandez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hernandez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A low kick from filipovic is predictable there
and Hernandez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
filipovic throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hernandez counters with a big head kick but filipovic shrugs it off.
mirko filipovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hernandez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez scores with a head kick.
filipovic throws a leg kick

and Hernandez counters by clinching up.
filipovic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hernandez walks away with a smile on his face. filipovic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A low kick from filipovic misses
and Hernandez counters with a thumping low kick.
filipovic displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
filipovic gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Hernandez counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
filipovic is looking for a sweep. Hernandez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hernandez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
filipovic is trying to stand back up but Hernandez is controlling him
filipovic trying to hold on to Hernandez's head to control him but Hernandez postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks filipovic with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
filipovic wants to control but Hernandez is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hernandez working over filipovic with some ground and pound. filipovic looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Hernandez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hernandez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
filipovic trying to hold on to Hernandez's head to control him but Hernandez postures up.
filipovic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hernandez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hernandez is keen to just control but filipovic is a slippery customer.
Hernandez moves into full mount! filipovic won't be happy about that!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
filipovic is desperately trying to improve his position but Hernandez has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
filipovic wants to control but Hernandez is having none of it.
Hernandez connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Hernandez lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
filipovic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hernandez in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
filipovic keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
filipovic takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez landing strikes from the mount.
Hernandez cracks filipovic with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Hernandez wants to finish this one by submission but filipovic is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hernandez.
Hernandez unloads with some shots from mount but filipovic bucks and avoids them well.
filipovic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The referee warns filipovic that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Hernandez dominating with strikes here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hernandez with shots to the head and body - filipovic looks very uncomfortable down there.
filipovic tries to lock up and control but Hernandez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hernandez landing punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rain Hernandez clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hernandez buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A low kick from filipovic misses

and Hernandez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hernandez tries to free his leg and advance position but filipovic is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hernandez drops back looking for a leg! filipovic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and filipovic manages to kick Hernandez off! Hernandez jumps back into filipovic's guard.
filipovic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
filipovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
filipovic keeping moving, preventing Hernandez from controlling successfully.
Hernandez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
filipovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hernandez is one step ahead there.
filipovic trying to keep a closed guard but Hernandez is proving a slippery customer.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
filipovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
filipovic throws a leg kick
and Hernandez counters with a nice leg kick.
filipovic misses with a leg kick
and Hernandez counters with a thumping low kick.
Hernandez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A head kick by filipovic misses
and Hernandez counters with a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Hernandez.
Hernandez throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
filipovic throws a leg kick

and Hernandez counters by clinching up.
Hernandez leaning against his opponent.

Hernandez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
filipovic throws a sloppy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a three punch combo that has filipovic backing up. filipovic nods at Hernandez to acknowledge the strikes.
Hernandez shoots in for a takedown but filipovic shows good takedown defense.
Nice body punch from filipovic.
filipovic throws a good cross that connects.
filipovic throws a leg kick
and Hernandez counters with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
filipovic misses with a double jab
and Hernandez counters with a three punch combo that has filipovic backing up. filipovic nods at Hernandez to acknowledge the strikes.
Hernandez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
filipovic throws a leg kick
and Hernandez counters with a three punch combo that has filipovic backing up. filipovic nods at Hernandez to acknowledge the strikes.
Hernandez moves out of range of the leg kick from filipovic.
Hernandez throws a head kick that misses.
Hernandez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
filipovic throws a leg kick but Hernandez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
filipovic misses with a leg kick
and Hernandez counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. filipovic is lucky that one didn't land flush.

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.
Hernandez moves out of range as filipovic throws a body kick.
Hernandez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and filipovic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab from filipovic misses.
Hernandez misses with a few strikes there.
filipovic throws a sloppy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hernandez goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hernandez tries a head kick but it misses.
Hernandez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Some wild striking there from filipovic.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rain Hernandez had his way with mirko filipovic in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

filipovic stuffs the takedown.
filipovic throws a leg kick but Hernandez sees it coming and moves out of range.
filipovic tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hernandez is able to avoid easily.
filipovic throws a body kick that misses.
filipovic throws a right hand that Hernandez ducks under and follows up with a left that Hernandez also avoids with ease.
filipovic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hernandez momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hernandez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from filipovic.
filipovic throws a leg kick
and Hernandez counters with a left and a right that stings filipovic.
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.
filipovic throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Hernandez counters with a series of strikes. filipovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
filipovic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with filipovic but filipovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
filipovic throws a lazy body kick
and Hernandez counters with a series of strikes. filipovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hernandez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
filipovic throws a body kick the misses
and Hernandez counters with a left and a right that stings filipovic.
filipovic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and filipovic wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rain Hernandez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
filipovic scores with a sloppy right hand. Hernandez should have avoided that one.
filipovic connects with a jab.
filipovic throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
filipovic throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Hernandez counters with an outside leg kick.
Hernandez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
filipovic throws a sloppy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a series of strikes. filipovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
filipovic throws a lazy body kick
and Hernandez counters with a series of strikes. filipovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a leg kick.
filipovic throws a leg kick but Hernandez moved away.
filipovic throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Hernandez counters with a left and a right that stings filipovic.
filipovic throws a leg kick
and Hernandez counters with a series of strikes. filipovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
A low kick from filipovic is predictable there
and Hernandez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hernandez shoots in looking for a takedown. filipovic tries to sprawl out of it but Hernandez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. filipovic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
filipovic wants to land a leg kick but Hernandez is out of range.
mirko filipovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
filipovic throws a leg kick but Hernandez sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hernandez doesn't manage to clinch there - filipovic circles away.
filipovic tries to land a leg kick but Hernandez saw it coming and moves away.
Hernandez shoots and misses
and filipovic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
filipovic attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nice jab there from Hernandez.
filipovic looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
filipovic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hernandez.
Rain Hernandez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
filipovic throws a nice looking combination but Hernandez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
filipovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hernandez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
filipovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Hernandez. Hernandez gets slowly back to his feet.
filipovic throws and low kick but Hernandez moves out of range easily.
filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Hernandez counters with a series of strikes. filipovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hernandez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hernandez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with filipovic but filipovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.

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 Rain Hernandez.
Well Hernandez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Rain Hernandez!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Rain Hernandez!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Rain Hernandez!

Rain Hernandez wins by unanimous decision!
Rain Hernandez retains his middleweight title!