PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Hernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rorion Joaquin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hernandez
vs
Joaquin

172 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

179 cm
23
155 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pedro Hernandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rorion Joaquin!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hernandez closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Joaquin did well to prevent Hernandez getting side control.
Hernandez with the ground and pound but Joaquin uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Hernandez wants to control from the top but Joaquin keeps moving.

Hernandez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Joaquin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Hernandez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Joaquin can't break the clinch.

Hernandez manages to break the clinch.
Joaquin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Hernandez has closed the distance and engaged Joaquin in a clinch.
Joaquin takes a knee right on the jaw!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hernandez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Hernandez rushes Joaquin and presses him up against the cage.
Hernandez crunches a lovely knee into Joaquin's ribcage.
Joaquin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Our sources have told us that Hernandez has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Hernandez blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Hernandez manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez fakes the leg kick and cracks Joaquin in the body.
Joaquin has a takedown stuffed.

Hernandez clinches up with Joaquin and pushes him back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Hernandez.

Hernandez breaks from the clinch.
Joaquin fails with the takedown.

Hernandez moves into the clinch.

Hernandez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Joaquin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hernandez but Hernandez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pedro Hernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rorion Joaquin.
The crowd cheers as Hernandez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Joaquin doesn't seem phased though.
Hernandez lands a nice looking body shot.
Hernandez lands a front kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horrible takedown by Joaquin or perhaps it was just good defense by Hernandez which made him look bad.
Joaquin looks winded!
Hernandez dives in and grabs Joaquin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Joaquin pushes down on Hernandez's head and hops out.
Hernandez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Joaquin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez works the jab nicely.

Hernandez gets the takedown into side control.
Hernandez trying to control the position but Joaquin is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hernandez just content to control the position.
Hernandez trying to control the action but Joaquin is working from the bottom.
Joaquin on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Hernandez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joaquin keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Joaquin is looking to regain half guard here but Hernandez keeps moving and retains side control.
Hernandez looking to control but instead Joaquin has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Hernandez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hernandez working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Joaquin's thigh. Joaquin counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Hernandez trying to control the position from guard on top but Joaquin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hernandez trying to control the position from guard on top but Joaquin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Pedro Hernandez wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Hernandez instigates a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hernandez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Joaquin shoots in for a takedown but Hernandez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hernandez throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Joaquin stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Joaquin shoots in looking for a takedown. Hernandez tries to sprawl out of it but Joaquin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hernandez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Hernandez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Joaquin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hernandez defends well and Joaquin ends up having to push Hernandez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Joaquin throws a knee to the head but misses.

Hernandez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Hernandez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Joaquin sprawls well initially but Hernandez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Hernandez is working for an americana but Joaquin has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Hernandez was thinking about the submission.
Hernandez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Joaquin is trying to control the position but Hernandez postures up.
Hernandez throws a big right hand that misses.
Hernandez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Joaquin looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joaquin keeping moving, preventing Hernandez from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hernandez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hernandez lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Hernandez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Joaquin is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hernandez, into his guard.
Joaquin trying to control but Hernandez is working from the bottom.
Joaquin passes Hernandez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez is not content to let Joaquin control the position.
Pedro Hernandez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Joaquin seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Joaquin is trying to control the action in half guard but Hernandez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hernandez has his hands clasped together around Joaquin's back. He's all about the action.

Joaquin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hernandez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Joaquin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hernandez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez wants to get back to his feet.
Hernandez controlling the position well.
Joaquin is keen to just control but Hernandez is a slippery customer.
Joaquin is looking to advance position but Hernandez won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rorion Joaquin was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Joaquin misses with a head kick.
Nice sprawl there from Joaquin as Hernandez shoots in.
Joaquin darts in looking for a takedown but Hernandez gets double underhooks and turns Joaquin into the cage.

Hernandez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hernandez cracks Joaquin with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice body kick from Hernandez.
Hernandez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Joaquin tries to avoid it but Hernandez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Joaquin to the ground. Joaquin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez looks for a takedown but Joaquin sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Hernandez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Joaquin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Hernandez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Joaquin looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hernandez in side control lands a decent elbow.
Hernandez wants to control but Joaquin is keeping him busy.
Joaquin is trying to get back to half guard.
Joaquin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hernandez off and has taken his back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Joaquin has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Hernandez's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pedro Hernandez will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hernandez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hernandez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Joaquin walks away with a smile on his face. Hernandez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Joaquin takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hernandez connects with an inside leg kick.
Hernandez scores with the left hand. Joaquin knows he should have avoided that one.
Hernandez delivers a nice body kick.
Rorion Joaquin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hernandez scoring well with a low kick there.
Hernandez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Joaquin on the side of the head.
Hernandez plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Joaquin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hernandez as he jumps to the side.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hernandez scores with a jab to the head.
Hernandez throws a nice inside leg kick.
Joaquin is trying desperately to land a takedown but Hernandez is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Joaquin.
Hernandez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Joaquin tries for a takedown but Hernandez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No luck for Joaquin with that takedown attempt.
Pedro Hernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rorion Joaquin.
Joaquin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joaquin gets tackled into the cage by Hernandez. Hernandez maintains the clinch.

Hernandez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Joaquin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hernandez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Joaquin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hernandez tries to avoid it but Joaquin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hernandez to the ground. Hernandez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hernandez shoots in looking for a takedown but Joaquin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hernandez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Joaquin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hernandez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Hernandez throws a leg kick which misses Joaquin's front leg but catches the back leg as Joaquin tries to avoid it.

Hernandez forces Joaquin back against the cage and clinches.

Hernandez manages to break the clinch.
Joaquin takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
No luck for Joaquin with that takedown attempt.
A left lands for Hernandez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hernandez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Joaquin manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joaquin striking off his back but it's not causing Hernandez any problems.
Hernandez trying to control but Joaquin is working from the bottom.
Hernandez is in close to Joaquin's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Joaquin keeping moving, preventing Hernandez from controlling successfully.
Hernandez looking to sit in guard and control but Joaquin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Joaquin wants to stand but Hernandez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joaquin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hernandez wants to stand up but Joaquin is controlling him.
Hernandez keeping moving, preventing Joaquin from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rorion Joaquin has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Hernandez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hernandez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hernandez sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Joaquin is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
You can see the frustration on Joaquin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Joaquin tries to bench press Hernandez off him but Hernandez keeps the position.
Joaquin is still trying to improve position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Joaquin prevents Hernandez from moving into mount.
Rorion Joaquin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pedro Hernandez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Hernandez decides to stand back up. Hernandez steps back and let's Joaquin get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pedro Hernandez showed his dominance in that final round.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

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