PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jan Olov Hermansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lerba Schmeizel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hermansson comes to the cage accompanied by Rammstein - Ich Will!. Schmeizel has chosen Zorba the Greek as his entrance music. Lerba Schmeizel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Olov Hermansson
vs
Schmeizel

178 cm
28
158 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

184 cm
29
162 lbs
12 - 7 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Jan Olov Hermansson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lerba Schmeizel!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Andrew Berry and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hermansson staying out of range there.
Schmeizel is looking to slow Hermansson down with leg kicks.
Schmeizel looks to land a combination but Hermansson avoids it well.
Schmeizel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hermansson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Schmeizel.
Schmeizel throws a one two combo.
Schmeizel swings for the body but Hermansson moves out of range.
No luck for Hermansson with that takedown attempt.
Hermansson fails with a takedown attempt.
We've been hearing reports that Hermansson has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Hermansson misses with a straight left.
Hermansson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hermansson tries for a takedown but Schmeizel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Olov Hermansson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schmeizel cracks Hermansson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Schmeizel.
Nice takedown defense from Schmeizel. No joy for Hermansson on that attempt.
Schmeizel swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Hermansson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Schmeizel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hermansson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermansson trying to control but Schmeizel is working from the bottom.
Hermansson postures up in Schmeizel's guard and throws a big left but Schmeizel blocks it.
Schmeizel pulls Hermansson in close to prevent any damage.
Schmeizel wants to sweep here but Hermansson controlling him for the moment.
Schmeizel has his hands on Hermansson's head, controlling the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Schmeizel thows a body shot but no joy.
Schmeizel misses with the combination.
Schmeizel avoids the body shot from Hermansson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schmeizel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Schmeizel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hermansson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Schmeizel counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hermansson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Schmeizel is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hermansson rather than just go for the knockout.
Schmeizel has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hermansson finds it's way round the side to connect with Schmeizel's head.
Hermansson dives in and grabs Schmeizel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Schmeizel pushes down on Hermansson's head and hops out.
Hermansson avoids the body shot from Schmeizel.
Schmeizel scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Schmeizel moves into the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hermansson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hermansson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hermansson misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Schmeizel.
Hermansson swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Schmeizel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Schmeizel.

Hermansson closes the distance and clinches.
Hermansson misses with a body punch.
Hermansson digs a right hand into Schmeizel's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Schmeizel's gas tank.
Hermansson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hermansson is trying to stall.
Hermansson digs a right hand underneath Schmeizel's ribcage. Schmeizel let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Good body shot from Hermansson.

Schmeizel breaks from the clinch.
Hermansson avoids the body shot from Schmeizel.
Hermansson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Schmeizel on the side of the head.
Hermansson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Schmeizel.
Hermansson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schmeizel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hermansson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson connects with a body shot that sends Schmeizel's belly button to the back.
Hermansson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Schmeizel looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hermansson shoots in for a double leg but Schmeizel sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jab from Hermansson.
Hermansson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hermansson looks for a takedown but Schmeizel sprawls well.
Schmeizel lands a head kick. Hermansson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Schmeizel tries to keep at a distance but Hermansson has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hermansson pulls guard successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hermansson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Hermansson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hermansson keeping moving, preventing Schmeizel from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Olov Hermansson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hermansson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Schmeizel.
Hermansson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Schmeizel throws a leg kick which misses Hermansson's front leg but catches the back leg as Hermansson tries to avoid it.

Schmeizel fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hermansson, pushing him back against the cage.
Hermansson takes an elbow to the temple.
Schmeizel blocks an uppercut.
Schmeizel holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Schmeizel receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Hermansson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Schmeizel fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lerba Schmeizel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hermansson misses with a double jab.
Hermansson looks to score with a jab to the body but Schmeizel is just out of range.
Schmeizel takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermansson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Schmeizel.
Jan Olov Hermansson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hermansson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Schmeizel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hermansson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Schmeizel was well out of range. Poor timing from Hermansson.
Hermansson goes for a double leg but Schmeizel avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Schmeizel continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Olov Hermansson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A bit of stalling here from Schmeizel.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hermansson.
Hermansson misses with a punch on the inside.
Schmeizel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Schmeizel dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Hermansson misses with a punch to the body.
Schmeizel is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hermansson is defending well for now.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Schmeizel stalling.
Schmeizel trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson tries a body shot but Schmeizel blocks it.
Schmeizel pushes Hermansson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Schmeizel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Schmeizel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hermansson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Schmeizel momentarily.
Hermansson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Schmeizel is fending him off so far but Hermansson persists. Nope, Schmeizel circles away and we're back to standing.
Lerba Schmeizel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schmeizel misses with a body shot.

Schmeizel gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hermansson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Schmeizel lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hermansson backwards.
Schmeizel gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Schmeizel blocks a body shot from Hermansson.
Schmeizel lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hermansson.
Hermansson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Schmeizel misses with a punch to the body.
Hermansson is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson looking for a takedown.
Hermansson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hermansson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hermansson struggles to land a body shot inside as Schmeizel controls his hands.
Hermansson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hermansson misses with a punch to the body.
Lerba Schmeizel seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hermansson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Schmeizel is defending well.
Schmeizel effectively controlling the action here.
Schmeizel lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hermansson.

Schmeizel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Schmeizel. Hermansson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Schmeizel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hermansson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Schmeizel moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hermansson is defended easily by Schmeizel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hermansson slips a jab and a cross from Schmeizel.
Hermansson jabs at Schmeizel's body.
Schmeizel connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hermansson's hands.

Schmeizel moves into the clinch.

Hermansson has Schmeizel pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hermansson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Schmeizel tumbling to the mat - Hermansson dives into Schmeizel's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hermansson looking to sit in guard and control but Schmeizel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Schmeizel throws an elbow that misses. Hermansson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Schmeizel's guard. Nice move by Hermansson!
Hermansson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lerba Schmeizel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hermansson takes a swing at Schmeizel's ribcage but misses.
Hermansson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Schmeizel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Schmeizel connects with a body shot that sends Hermansson's belly button to the back.

Schmeizel pushes Hermansson up against the cage in a clinch.
Schmeizel tries to throw a body punch but Hermansson avoids it by throwing Schmeizel back against the cage.
Hermansson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hermansson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hermansson misses with a punch on the inside.
Hermansson misses with some punches.
Schmeizel lands an elbow just above Hermansson 's eye.
Schmeizel lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hermansson backwards.
Schmeizel is leaning against Hermansson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Schmeizel prevents a body shot from Hermansson.
Hermansson struggles to land a body shot inside as Schmeizel controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmeizel trying to stall but Hermansson improves his position.
Hermansson takes an elbow to the temple.
Hermansson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Schmeizel fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Hermansson shoots in and bounces Schmeizel off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Schmeizel is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hermansson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hermansson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Schmeizel wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Schmeizel has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at ACME! Thai Boxing Academy 13 ELITE COACHES & SAUNA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Schmeizel trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hermansson trying to control the position from guard on top but Schmeizel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hermansson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Schmeizel keeping moving, preventing Hermansson from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hermansson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hermansson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Hermansson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hermansson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hermansson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Schmeizel down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson trying to control the action but Schmeizel is working from the bottom.
Hermansson is really struggling to control Schmeizel but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Hermansson working the ground and pound from side control.
Hermansson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Schmeizel is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hermansson connects with a decent elbow.
Schmeizel is trying to control Hermansson's posture but Hermansson avoids it.

Hermansson has hold of Schmeizel's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Schmeizel seems comfortable defending it but Hermansson has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Schmeizel is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Schmeizel is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Hermansson couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jan Olov Hermansson!
After winning the bout, Jan Olov Hermansson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.