PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Daren Herman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kristian Vuckovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kristian Vuckovic has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Herman
vs
Vuckovic

182 cm
20
193 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

188 cm
18
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Daren Herman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kristian Vuckovic!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Luis Engracia and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herman shoots in for a double leg but Vuckovic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kristian Vuckovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vuckovic fails with a takedown attempt.

Herman gets caught flat footed, as Vuckovic shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Herman trying to keep a closed guard but Vuckovic is proving a slippery customer.
Herman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vuckovic is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vuckovic stands and steps away. Herman gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Vuckovic pushes Herman up against the cage in a clinch.
Vuckovic has Herman pressed against the cage, preventing Herman from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Herman manages to break the clinch.
Vuckovic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Herman as he avoids it easily.
Herman goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Vuckovic clinches up with Herman and pushes him back against the cage.
Vuckovic has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Herman after a bit of a struggle.
Daren Herman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kristian Vuckovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vuckovic avoids a wild elbow strike from Herman.
Herman jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Vuckovic walks away with a smile on his face. Herman gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Herman scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Vuckovic shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Herman keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vuckovic is pressing down on Herman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Herman is holding on for now.

Vuckovic is working for a submission of some sort.
Herman pushes Vuckovic off looking to stand but Vuckovic dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vuckovic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Herman does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Vuckovic is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Herman wants to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Herman is trying to get back to full guard.
Herman is breathing heavily.
Vuckovic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Herman is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Vuckovic trying to control from half guard but Herman is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Vuckovic gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vuckovic is defended easily by Herman.

Vuckovic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Herman, pushing him back against the cage.
Herman is trying to break the clinch but Vuckovic has him pressed against the cage.

Herman breaks from the clinch.
A low kick from Vuckovic misses
and Herman counters with a three punch combo that has Vuckovic backing up. Vuckovic nods at Herman to acknowledge the strikes.
Herman looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vuckovic is fending him off so far but Herman persists. Nope, Vuckovic circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vuckovic gets a clinch.
Vuckovic is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Herman to keep the fight standing.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Herman.
Herman is pressed up against the cage. Vuckovic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Herman down to the mat. Herman avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Herman looks to throw a body kick

and Vuckovic counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Vuckovic is working for a kimura but Herman is defending it quite comfortably.

Vuckovic gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Herman shoots in looking for a takedown. Vuckovic tries to sprawl out of it but Herman keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vuckovic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Vuckovic shoots for a takedown but Herman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristian Vuckovic dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Herman closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Vuckovic struggling a bit here.
Herman controlling the position from side mount.
Vuckovic is trying to improve his position.
Herman wants to stand but Vuckovic is controlling his arm.
Vuckovic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Herman controls the position.

Herman decides to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herman dives in for a single leg takedown but Vuckovic sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Vuckovic jumps into guard, dragging Herman to the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vuckovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Herman gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Herman moves into range and clinches up with Vuckovic.
Herman is looking to control Vuckovic's arms but Vuckovic gets an underhook and turns him. Now Herman has his back to the cage.

Vuckovic gets control of Herman's arms and successfully pulls guard. Vuckovic will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Vuckovic trying to strike off his back.
Vuckovic bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Herman's guard.
Vuckovic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Herman wants to get back to his feet but Vuckovic passes into half guard.
Herman gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Herman wants to stand up but Vuckovic is controlling him.

Vuckovic stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Vuckovic gets a double leg takedown into Herman's guard.
Vuckovic is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Vuckovic won't allow Herman to get back to his feet.
Kristian Vuckovic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vuckovic is pushing down on Herman's leg trying to pass to half guard. Herman is fighting to maintain full guard but Vuckovic has managed to sneak the leg through.
Vuckovic trying to control from half guard but Herman is working away.
Vuckovic stops Herman from getting back to his feet.
Herman tries to roll over but Vuckovic keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vuckovic controlling the action here.
Vuckovic wants to free his trapped foot but Herman is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Herman is looking to improve his position.
Herman is looking to control Vuckovic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Herman avoid being mounted?

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Vuckovic jabs at Herman's body.

Vuckovic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Herman, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vuckovic jumps guard and drags Herman to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Vuckovic has Herman pulled in close to control his posture.
Herman wants to control from the top but Vuckovic keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Herman would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Vuckovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Daren Herman just wasn't active enough.
Herman tries to clinch up.
No luck for Vuckovic with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kristian Vuckovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Vuckovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Herman. Herman gets slowly back to his feet.

Vuckovic clinches.

Vuckovic gets control of Herman's arms and successfully pulls guard. Vuckovic will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Vuckovic trying to control the position here.
Vuckovic throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Vuckovic kicks Herman off and gets to his feet.
Herman fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vuckovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vuckovic takes a shot to the head.
Vuckovic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Herman pulls his leg out and moves away.
Vuckovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Herman counters with a two punch combo.
Daren Herman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A cross from Herman lands.
Herman stuffs the takedown attempt from Vuckovic. Vuckovic gets slowly back to his feet.
Herman shoots in and drives through. Vuckovic sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daren Herman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A low kick from Vuckovic is predictable there
and Herman counters with a head kick.
Herman is looking to clinch but Vuckovic is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herman's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Herman duly obliges.
Herman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Herman wants it to stay on the feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Herman scores with a four punch combination!
Herman thuds a left hand into Vuckovic's body.
Herman misses with a double jab.
Vuckovic fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That kick from Herman tenderised Vuckovic's leg. Vuckovic is trying to keep his angry face on.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Vuckovic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Herman.
Vuckovic lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vuckovic has taken the fight to the clinch.
Vuckovic is pushing Herman up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Herman is trying to break free.
Herman lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Herman wants to break the clinch but can't.
Herman tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Herman wants to break the clinch but can't.

Vuckovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vuckovic shoots for a double leg takedown but Herman sprawls well. He's pushed Vuckovic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice takedown defense from Vuckovic. No joy for Herman on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vuckovic shoots in looking for a takedown. Herman tries to sprawl out of it but Vuckovic keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Herman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Herman tries to close the distance and clinch but Vuckovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A head kick by Vuckovic misses
and Herman counters with a left and a right that stings Vuckovic.
Herman wants to clinch up but Vuckovic keeps it at a distance.

Herman gets caught flat footed, as Vuckovic shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vuckovic is pushing down on Herman's leg trying to pass to half guard. Herman is fighting to maintain full guard but Vuckovic has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Herman is trying to escape back to his feet but Vuckovic uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Daren Herman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kristian Vuckovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Herman misses with an elbow from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kristian Vuckovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vuckovic 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kristian Vuckovic!