PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hernando Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richards has chosen Cry me a river - Michael buble as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Cortez
vs
Richards

177 cm
33
185 lbs
10 - 8 - 1

180 cm
34
173 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Hernando Cortez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shane Richards!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Roberts and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cortez shoots and misses

and Richards holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Cortez wants to take the fight to the mat but Richards manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Richards obliges.
A frustrated look appears on Cortez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Richards looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Richards has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Richards scores a nice knee to the body.
Richards with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Richards misses with a punch on the inside.
Cortez can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hernando Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Richards pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cortez gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cortez.
Cortez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Richards but Richards pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Richards lands a leg kick that knocks Cortez off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez fails with a takedown attempt.
Cortez shoots in looking for a takedown but Richards manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cortez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cortez shoots in looking for a takedown. Richards tries to sprawl out of it but Cortez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Richards manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Richards wants to clinch up but Cortez keeps it at a distance.
Richards stuffs the takedown attempt from Cortez. Cortez gets slowly back to his feet.

Cortez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Richards to the mat! Richards manages to get full guard.
Richards wants to sweep here but Cortez controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cortez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Richards not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez preventing the sweep.
Cortez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Hernando Cortez just wasn't active enough.

Cortez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cortez lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cortez is stalling in the full guard.
Richards controlling the position.
Richards keeping moving, preventing Cortez from controlling successfully.
Cortez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Hernando Cortez wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Cortez shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards wants to improve his position but Cortez is controlling well.

Cortez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Richards has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cortez performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richards pushes Cortez off looking to stand but Cortez dives back in and keeps control.
Richards tries to roll over but Cortez keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Hernando Cortez.
Richards darts in trying to clinch

and Cortez moves into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Cortez manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Richards must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Cortez holds on and takes a little breather.
Richards wants to get up but he can't break Cortez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Richards drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cortez manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Richards has Cortez in his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cortez controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hernando Cortez will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cortez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Richards sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Richards throws a shot from downtown. Cortez moves away and avoids it.
Richards plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Cortez dives in and scores a takedown into Richards's guard.
Richards wants to get back to his feet but Cortez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Richards looking for a sweep. Not yet Richards, not yet.
Cortez wants to pass the guard but Richards is keeping the position.
Cortez preventing the sweep.
Cortez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Hernando Cortez.

Cortez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Richards!
Cortez content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Richards gets back to half guard.
Richards trying to control but Cortez postures up.
Cortez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Cortez wants to pass to mount but Richards is defending the position.
Richards is in trouble now - Cortez has advanced to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez trying to control but Richards is having none of it.
Richards wants to get back to his feet.
Cortez content just to control the position here.
Richards is trying desperately to improve position.
Cortez has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Richards's face.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cortez trying to control but Richards is having none of it.
Cortez lands a nice shot to the head.
Richards sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez wants to take a breather but Richards is having none of it.
Cortez is looking to advance position but Richards won't allow it.
Richards keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cortez controlling the action here.
Cortez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Cortez in particular looking to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Hernando Cortez just wasn't active enough.
Cortez looks to land a right hand but Richards moved out of range.
Cortez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Richards as he avoids it easily.
Cortez looks for a takedown but Richards sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hernando Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards pushes Cortez away with a front kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Richards.
Richards throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cortez's waist but Cortez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Richards off to one side.
Richards lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cortez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Richards as he avoids it easily.
Cortez keeps the fight on the outside.
Richards throws a sloppy head kick and Cortez moves out of range easily.
Richards scores with a jab to the body.
Richards throws a sloppy head kick and Cortez moves out of range easily.
Shane Richards is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Horrible takedown by Richards or perhaps it was just good defense by Cortez which made him look bad.
Cortez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Richards tries to avoid it but Cortez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Richards to the ground. Richards escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hernando Cortez dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Richards throws a right and a left that both miss.

Cortez feints and as Richards raises his hands in defense, Cortez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cortez preventing the sweep.
Cortez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Richards swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cortez trying to control the position from guard on top but Richards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cortez forces his way into half guard.
Cortez stops Richards from getting back to his feet.
Richards is looking for a sweep. Cortez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cortez controlling the pace.
Richards trying to control here.
Cortez controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cortez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Richards counters with a good low kick that Cortez was not able to check.
Cortez shoots in and drives through. Richards sprawls well.
Cortez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Richards tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cortez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Richards slaps away a takedown attempt from Cortez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hernando Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some wild striking there from Richards.
Richards leaves Cortez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Shane Richards seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Richards forces Cortez back against the cage and clinches.

Cortez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cortez swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cortez connects with a single shot there.
Richards lands a jab-cross combination.
Richards tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cortez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Richards shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cortez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Richards trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cortez's guard.
Richards takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Cortez uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Cortez shoots for a takedown but Richards saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cortez pushes Richards up against the cage in a clinch.
Richards gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cortez.
Richards is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Richards pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Richards wants to get back to striking at distance but Cortez won't allow it.
Cortez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shane Richards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Richards landing knees to the head.
Richards lands a nice uppercut.
Come on Cortez - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Cortez lands a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Richards wants to stand but Cortez is controlling the position.
Richards working a defensive guard here.
Richards wants to stand up but Cortez is controlling him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cortez is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Hernando Cortez.
Nice sprawl there from Richards as Cortez shoots in.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cortez.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice sprawl there from Richards as Cortez shoots in.
Cortez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Richards sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

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 Hernando Cortez.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cortez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hernando Cortez!
Hernando Cortez seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.