PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thibault Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ferguson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is I'll Whip Ya Head Boy. 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.

Ferguson
vs
Fernandez

187 cm
21
215 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

182 cm
24
211 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kevin Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Thibault Fernandez!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fernandez stuffs the takedown attempt from Ferguson. Ferguson gets slowly back to his feet.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fernandez as he avoids it easily.
Ferguson connects with a crisp jab.
Fernandez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Fernandez!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fernandez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ferguson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Fernandez as Ferguson shoots in.
Fernandez jabs Ferguson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ferguson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fernandez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fernandez thuds a left hand into Ferguson's body.
Ferguson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fernandez defends it nicely.
Fernandez rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Ferguson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ferguson is breathing heavily.
Fernandez is looking to escape.
Fernandez is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez tries to kick Ferguson off but Ferguson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ferguson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fernandez punching from the bottom.
Ferguson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ferguson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Fernandez tries to get to full guard but Ferguson has control of the leg.
Fernandez wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy.
Ferguson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No joy there for Ferguson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ferguson avoids the body shot from Fernandez.
Ferguson misses with a wild combination.
Fernandez dodges the punch combination from Ferguson.
Ferguson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kevin Ferguson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ferguson shoots in but no luck this time.
Ferguson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fernandez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ferguson tries to bum rush Fernandez with a series of wild strikes but Fernandez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown but Fernandez shows good takedown defense.
A telegraphed right hand from Ferguson misses the target.
Ferguson shoots in looking for a takedown. Fernandez tries to sprawl out of it but Ferguson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fernandez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ferguson shoots in for a double leg but Fernandez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ferguson is defended easily by Fernandez.
Fernandez scores with a jab. Ferguson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Thibault Fernandez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fernandez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ferguson.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ferguson.
Ferguson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fernandez misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fernandez throws a body punch but Ferguson moves out of range.
Fernandez throws a series of strikes that have Ferguson backpedaling.
Ferguson looks to land a combination but Fernandez avoids it well.
Ferguson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ferguson throws a series of punches but Fernandez avoids them all with ease.
Ferguson shoots for a takedown but Fernandez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferguson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fernandez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ferguson somewhat.
Ferguson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A combination from Ferguson does no damage.
Fernandez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ferguson moves away.
Ferguson shoots in but Fernandez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thibault Fernandez will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ferguson ducks right into an uppercut from Fernandez.
Ferguson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fernandez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ferguson somewhat.
Fernandez lands with an uppercut that bounces Ferguson off the cage and back into range.
Ferguson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fernandez avoids it really well and circles away.
Ferguson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fernandez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ferguson manages to avoid it.
Ferguson shoots in but Fernandez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernandez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ferguson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ferguson dives in and grabs Fernandez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fernandez pushes down on Ferguson's head and hops out.
Fernandez is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ferguson rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ferguson misses with a series of wild punches.
Fernandez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ferguson was well out of range. Poor timing from Fernandez.
Fernandez throws a hook but Ferguson blocks it.
Fernandez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A punch combination from Fernandez misses.
Ferguson lands an overhand right.
Fernandez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ferguson shoots in for a double leg but Fernandez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice takedown defense from Fernandez. No joy for Ferguson on that attempt.
Fernandez catches Ferguson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ferguson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferguson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Fernandez lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Fernandez tries to bum rush Ferguson with a series of wild strikes but Ferguson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ferguson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fernandez lands a nice shot to the body.
Ferguson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fernandez circles away.
Fernandez scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Fernandez misses.
Ferguson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fernandez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ferguson takes a swing at Fernandez's ribcage but misses.
Ferguson shoots for a double leg takedown but Fernandez sprawls well. He's pushed Ferguson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ferguson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Fernandez does no damage.
Fernandez misses with a series of wild punches.
Fernandez lands a two punch combo.
Ferguson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fernandez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fernandez misses with a body shot.
Fernandez throws a body punch but Ferguson moves out of range.
Fernandez looks to land a combination but Ferguson avoids it well.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fernandez sprawls well. Fernandez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ferguson gets slowly back to his feet.
Fernandez takes a swing at Ferguson's ribcage but misses.
Fernandez stuffs the takedown attempt from Ferguson. Ferguson gets slowly back to his feet.
Thibault Fernandez seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fernandez scores with a hook to the body. Ferguson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fernandez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Kevin Ferguson has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fernandez misses with an uppercut. Ferguson saw that one coming.
Fernandez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ferguson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fernandez.
Ferguson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fernandez defends it nicely.
Fernandez misses with a body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ferguson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ferguson moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thibault Fernandez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kevin Ferguson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! 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.

Fernandez throws a nice looking combination but Ferguson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ferguson fails with a takedown attempt.
Fernandez misses with an uppercut. Ferguson saw that one coming.
Fernandez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fernandez wants it to stay on the feet.
Fernandez jabs at Ferguson's body.
Ferguson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Fernandez. No joy for Ferguson on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernandez misses with an uppercut. Ferguson saw that one coming.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fernandez misses with a body shot.
Fernandez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ferguson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fernandez pinned against the cage. Fernandez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ferguson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson tries to bum rush Fernandez with a series of wild strikes but Fernandez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Good standup being displayed there by Fernandez as he connects with a hook.
Ferguson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ferguson shoots for a double leg takedown but Fernandez sprawls well. He's pushed Ferguson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fernandez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ferguson on the side of the head.
Fernandez scores with a jab to the body.
Fernandez scores with a jab to the head.
Ferguson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fernandez circles away quickly and effectively.
Fernandez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ferguson was well out of range. Poor timing from Fernandez.
Ferguson avoids the body shot from Fernandez.
Ferguson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fernandez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thibault Fernandez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez takes a swing at Ferguson's ribcage but misses.
The fighters circling - Fernandez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fernandez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ferguson.
Fernandez thuds a left hand into Ferguson's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ferguson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ferguson shoots for a double leg takedown but Fernandez sprawls well. He's pushed Ferguson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fernandez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fernandez wants it to stay on the feet.
Fernandez just misses with a punch to the body.
Fernandez lands with a good body shot.
Fernandez tests Ferguson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ferguson takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez throws a shot from downtown. Ferguson moves away and avoids it.
Ferguson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ferguson blocks a jab.
Fernandez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ferguson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Fernandez's half guard.
Ferguson drops an elbow to the side of Fernandez's head.
Ferguson trying to control the action but Fernandez is working from the bottom.
Ferguson trying to control the pace.
Ferguson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fernandez's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fernandez wants to improve his position but Ferguson is controlling well.
Ferguson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ferguson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fernandez's head.
Fernandez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ferguson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ferguson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferguson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ferguson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Thibault Fernandez.
I've got Fernandez winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thibault Fernandez!
In his post fight interview, Thibault Fernandez started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.