PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian OGrady (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Fernandez
vs
OGrady

211 cm
20
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raphael Fernandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brian OGrady!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OGrady darts in looking for a takedown but Fernandez gets double underhooks and turns OGrady into the cage.

OGrady shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fernandez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Fernandez manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Fernandez lands a nice knee to the body.
Fernandez taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Fernandez breaks from the clinch.

OGrady has taken the fight to the clinch.

Fernandez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Fernandez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fernandez prevents OGrady from escaping the position.

Fernandez is trying to get an arm triangle but OGrady is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OGrady tries to buck Fernandez off but Fernandez is having none of it.
Fernandez just content to control the position.
OGrady keeps Fernandez under control for a moment.

Fernandez tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Fernandez has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Fernandez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fernandez trying to control the position but OGrady is working away.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fernandez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by OGrady, who protects the arm well.
Fernandez working away.
Fernandez trying to control the position but OGrady is working away.
OGrady is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
OGrady manages to get back to half guard.

OGrady is defending against the submission attempts here by Fernandez.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fernandez trying to control the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raphael Fernandez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fernandez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice takedown defense from Fernandez. No joy for OGrady on that attempt.
Fernandez lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
OGrady doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Fernandez counters with a single leg into guard. OGrady didn't expect that.

OGrady working for a triangle but Fernandez defends it easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fernandez throwing strikes from guard but OGrady blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fernandez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fernandez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fernandez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez throws a big elbow that misses.

Fernandez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fernandez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
OGrady is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Fernandez dives into side control.

Fernandez has hold of OGrady's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! OGrady tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Fernandez cranks the arm and OGrady screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from OGrady, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Raphael Fernandez!