PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Herrera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Specialist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Herrera
vs
Specialist

175 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rodrigo Herrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Andre Specialist!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Specialist changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Herrera tries to avoid it but Specialist manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Herrera to the ground. Herrera escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Herrera as Specialist shoots in.

Herrera clinches.
The referee calls for Herrera to work.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Herrera for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

Herrera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Specialist shoots in but Herrera avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rodrigo Herrera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Specialist.
Herrera scores with a body shot.
Specialist shoots in for a takedown but Herrera shows good takedown defense.
Herrera swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice sprawl there from Herrera as Specialist shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Specialist tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Herrera swivels and escapes.
Herrera throws a body punch but Specialist moves out of range.
Specialist fails with the takedown.
Specialist shoots in but no luck this time.
Herrera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Specialist was well out of range. Poor timing from Herrera.
Herrera misses with a double jab.
Specialist will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Specialist closes this distance looking for a takedown but Herrera circles away.

Herrera moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Specialist goes for a takedown in the clinch but Herrera prevents it.
Herrera controlling the action here for a moment.
Herrera misses with an elbow over the top.
Specialist can't get the takedown.
Herrera utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Specialist looks gassed!
Specialist fails to pull guard.
Specialist blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Herrera breaks from the clinch.
Herrera jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice sprawl there from Herrera as Specialist shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herrera scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Specialist blocks the body kick.
Specialist fails to land the takedown.
An inside leg kick from Herrera misses.
Herrera thows a body shot but no joy.
Specialist avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Specialist closes this distance looking for a takedown but Herrera circles away.

Herrera has Specialist up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Specialist is trying to drag Herrera to the mat but Herrera just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Herrera stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Herrera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Specialist moves out of range of the body kick from Herrera.
Specialist circles away from the clinch attempt.
Herrera throws a hook but Specialist avoids it easily.
Specialist shoots in for a takedown but Herrera shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Herrera ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Specialist moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Herrera dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A head kick misses from Herrera.
Specialist dives in and grabs Herrera's left leg, looking for a takedown. Herrera pushes down on Specialist's head and hops out.
Herrera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Specialist paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Specialist keeps the fight on the outside.
Herrera misses with the combination.
Herrera misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Herrera drives through and clinches with Specialist against the cage.
Herrera throws a punch but it's blocked by Specialist.
Herrera cracks Specialist with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Herrera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Herrera as Specialist shoots in.

Herrera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Specialist, pushing him back against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Herrera.

Herrera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Specialist will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rodrigo Herrera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Specialist.
Nice sprawl there from Herrera as Specialist shoots in.
Herrera swings for the body but Specialist moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Herrera looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Herrera defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Specialist.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herrera defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Specialist.
Herrera is looking to wear down Specialist with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Specialist shoots in looking for a takedown. Herrera tries to sprawl out of it but Specialist keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Herrera manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Herrera takes a swing at Specialist's ribcage but misses.

Herrera gets a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Herrera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Herrera tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Specialist shoots in looking for a takedown. Herrera tries to sprawl out of it but Specialist keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Herrera manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Specialist shoots in for a double leg but Herrera sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Herrera fails with an attempt to clinch.
Specialist avoids the body shot from Herrera.
Herrera swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Specialist fails with a takedown attempt.
Specialist slips a jab and a cross from Herrera.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Specialist shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Herrera as he jumps to the side.
Herrera slaps away a takedown attempt from Specialist, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Herrera tries to clinch up but Specialist circles away and keeps his distance.
Herrera stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Herrera wants it to stay on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Specialist shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Herrera defends it nicely.
Specialist looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Herrera is fending him off so far but Specialist persists. Nope, Herrera circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Herrera dominated that second round.
That's time! Herrera's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Specialist keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Specialist uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Herrera.
Specialist shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Herrera sprawls well. Herrera wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Specialist gets slowly back to his feet.
Herrera swinging wilding here.
Herrera defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Specialist.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herrera displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Specialist.
Rodrigo Herrera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Specialist.
Herrera leaves Specialist with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Herrera takes the fight into the clinch.
Specialist fails to pull guard.

Herrera breaks the clinch.
Rodrigo Herrera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Herrera thows a body shot but no joy.
Herrera stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Herrera wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice cross by Herrera.
Herrera loads up on a big right hand but Specialist slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Herrera gets a clinch.
Herrera swings wildly with an uppercut but Specialist uses good head movement to avoid it.
Specialist fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Herrera lands a right hand.
Specialist on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Specialist blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Herrera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Specialist has a takedown stuffed.
Specialist tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Herrera counters with a three punch combo that has Specialist backing up. Specialist nods at Herrera to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Specialist gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Herrera counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rodrigo Herrera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Herrera pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Specialist defending well as Herrera loads up on a big left hand.
Specialist gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Herrera counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Herrera.
Specialist jumps guard but Herrera stands there with Specialist around his waist. Specialist gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Herrera misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Herrera tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Herrera controlling the action here for a moment.
Specialist jumps guard but Herrera stands there with Specialist around his waist. Specialist gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Specialist jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Herrera walks away with a smile on his face. Specialist gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Specialist fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Specialist with a poor takedown
and Herrera counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodrigo Herrera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Herrera 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:26
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodrigo Herrera!