PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Henderson Cormier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gustavo Fring (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fring has chosen Frogacult - No rush as his entrance music. Gustavo Fring will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Cormier
vs
Fring

180 cm
21
223 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

202 cm
22
216 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Brute

KAISER
$300

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Henderson Cormier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Gustavo Fring!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cormier fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cormier slaps away a takedown attempt from Fring, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cormier tries to clinch but Fring is having none of it.
Cormier tries to clinch up but Fring circles away and keeps his distance.
Cormier displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fring.
Cormier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fring tries to close the distance and clinch but Cormier swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cormier swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cormier keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Henderson Cormier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gustavo Fring.

Cormier drives through and clinches with Fring against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cormier.

Fring jumps guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cormier trying to control the position from guard on top but Fring is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fring is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cormier is controlling him.
Fring throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Fring looking for a guillotine here but Cormier defends easily.
Fring has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Fring had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cormier defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cormier lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Cormier avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cormier stands up over Fring, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fring can't keep his opponent in guard - Cormier advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Fring looking for submissions off his back.

Fring looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fring is trying to get back to full guard.

Fring looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cormier working over Fring with some ground and pound. Fring looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fring is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cormier scores with a couple of nice shots.
Cormier seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cormier working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

It looks like Gustavo Fring has been cut.
Fring wants to improve his position but Cormier is controlling well.
Cormier tries to stand but can't do so whilst Fring controls his leg.
Fring is trying to get back to full guard.

Cormier is looking for a kimura but Fring is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Cormier to get the leverage.
Cormier is keen to just control but Fring is a slippery customer.

Fring looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cormier is nestled in close to Fring, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Fring is looking for a sweep. Cormier is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cormier working Fring over with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fring is pressing down on Cormier's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cormier stands and throws Fring's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fring regains half guard.
Cormier prevents Fring from improving his position.
Cormier lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Cormier trying to pass the guard but Fring defending well.
Cormier trying to control the action but Fring is working from the bottom.
Cormier perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fring is not content to let Cormier control the position.
Cormier is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Cormier can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Fring is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henderson Cormier dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gustavo Fring's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cormier is looking to clinch.
Cormier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cormier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cormier defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fring.
Cormier will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fring fails with the takedown

and Cormier counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fring won't be happy with that.
Cormier advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fring sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Henderson Cormier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Fring is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cormier pulls his head out easily.

Fring actively working from the bottom here.

Fring is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cormier pulls his head out easily.
Fring is breathing heavily.

Fring looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cormier is looking to take a break and control but Fring is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cormier is stalling here. Fring is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Cormier seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Fring has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Cormier is pushing Fring's head away, looking to escape. Fring manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fring is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cormier is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Cormier is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Fring has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Fring working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Cormier parries the strikes from Fring easily there. Fring is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cormier to escape.
Fring wants to stand but Cormier has his arm trapped.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cormier wants to get back to his feet but Fring drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fring tries for a kimura but Cormier is defending well.

Fring goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Cormier has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Fring but great work by Cormier.
Cormier scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Fring to see if he's OK.
Fring is trying to get back to half guard.

Cormier decides to stand back up. Cormier steps back and let's Fring get back to his feet.
Cormier tries to clinch up.

Cormier gets a clinch.
Cormier looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Fring drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cormier pulls his leg out and moves away.
Henderson Cormier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gustavo Fring.
Cormier throws a lazy uppercut

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Come on Cormier - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Fring wants to take the fight to the mat but Cormier manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fring tries to pull guard but Cormier holds him up against the cage and eventually Fring drops back down to his feet.
Cormier leaning his opponent against the cage.
Cormier has a couple of punches blocked by Fring.
Fring is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cormier is defending well.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cormier.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cormier wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Fring is looking to break free of the clinch but Cormier has double underhooks.

Cormier ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Cormier no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Fring throwing strikes from guard but Cormier blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henderson Cormier dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gustavo Fring's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Cormier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cormier lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fring circles away quickly and effectively.

Cormier closes the distance and pushes Fring back into the cage.
Fring can't get the takedown.
Fring throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cormier stops a takedown attempt from Fring.
Cormier tries to pull guard but Fring won't allow it.
Fring has Cormier pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cormier manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Henderson Cormier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gustavo Fring.
Fring is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fring takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Cormier breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Henderson Cormier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fring shoots in looking for a takedown. Cormier tries to sprawl out of it but Fring keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cormier manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cormier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cormier tries to clinch there but Fring circles away.
Cormier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Cormier gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cormier prevents a takedown attempt there.
Fring can't get the takedown.

Cormier works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Fring lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cormier!
Fring with shots to the head and body - Cormier looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cormier is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Cormier is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Fring goes for an armbar but Cormier turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Cormier.
Fring looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cormier wants to pass the guard but Fring is keeping the position.
Cormier is looking to work some ground and pound but Fring has wrist control.
Cormier pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fring is keeping the position for now.

Fring has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cormier can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fring being controlled here, momentarily.

Fring looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cormier landing with the ground and pound.
Cormier wants to control from the top but Fring keeps moving.
Cormier landing some decent shots from guard.
Cormier makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That has opened up Gustavo Fring's cut even more.
Cormier advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fring is staying active underneath Cormier, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fring is pressing down on Cormier's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cormier pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fring is keeping the position for now.
Fring throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Cormier scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fring avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cormier throws a big right hand that misses.
Cormier has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fring tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Fring is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cormier defends well.
Fring looking for a sweep. Not yet Fring, not yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gustavo Fring has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Henderson Cormier is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Cormier avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Henderson Cormier showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cormier 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henderson Cormier!
Henderson Cormier took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Brute for their support in the buildup to the fight.