PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pelle Hermano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Hayabusa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hermano's entrance music is Uniikki - Pätkätöis. A fine choice. Hayabusa has chosen Bombs Away by Bob as his entrance music. Pelle Hermano has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hermano
vs
Hayabusa

150 cm
23
150 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

167 cm
32
158 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Modern Wear Apparel & Laundry Services 80% LAUNDRY

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pelle Hermano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Hayabusa!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Taro Takaoka and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hermano goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hayabusa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A low kick from Hermano is predictable there
and Hayabusa counters with a nice uppercut.
Hermano misses with a head kick.
Hayabusa's coach down at [CBK] Punch-kicker Academy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Hayabusa's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Hermano fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hayabusa looks to score with a jab to the body but Hermano is just out of range.
Hermano tries to counter by clinching up but Hayabusa breaks away and moves out of range.
Hermano with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A telegraphed right hand from Hermano misses the target.
Hermano tries to close the distance and clinch but Hayabusa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hayabusa changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hermano wants to land a leg kick but Hayabusa is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hermano tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hayabusa tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hermano will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hayabusa wants to counter with a clinch but Hermano pushes him away.

Hayabusa darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hayabusa trying to control from half guard but Hermano is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hayabusa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hayabusa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hermano does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Hayabusa is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Hermano as he works his way to full guard.

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.
Hayabusa is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hayabusa's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Hayabusa trying to control the position from guard on top but Hermano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hermano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hayabusa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hermano throws out the jab.
Hermano fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hayabusa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermano throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hayabusa dives in for a single leg takedown but Hermano sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hermano misses with a head kick.
Hermano scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hermano goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hayabusa.

Hayabusa swings around for an armbar but Hermano sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hayabusa's guard.
Hermano working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hayabusa's head.
Hayabusa is trying to hold Hermano in close to prevent damage but Hermano has managed to pass into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hayabusa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hayabusa.
Hayabusa is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa keeping moving, preventing Hermano from controlling successfully.
Hayabusa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hermano is one step ahead there.
Hermano has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hermano wants to control from the top but Hayabusa keeps moving.
Hermano won't allow Hayabusa to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pelle Hermano dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hermano throws a leg kick which misses Hayabusa's front leg but catches the back leg as Hayabusa tries to avoid it.
Hermano is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hayabusa can do to turn this around?
Hermano tries to score with a low kick but Hayabusa moves his leg out of the way.
A countering left hand to the body from Hayabusa misses.
Hayabusa looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hermano is fending him off so far but Hayabusa persists. Nope, Hermano circles away and we're back to standing.
Hayabusa on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hayabusa checks the leg kick.
Hermano throws a head kick but Hayabusa moves out of range.
Hermano throws a lazy right hand but Hayabusa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hermano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayabusa takes one to the side of the head.
Hayabusa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hayabusa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hermano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermano looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hermano feints and then cracks Hayabusa's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hayabusa down.
Hermano wants to land a leg kick but Hayabusa is out of range.
Hayabusa checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hermano turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Hermano as he connects with a hook.
Hermano throws a leg kick but Hayabusa moved away.
Hermano throws a leg kick which misses Hayabusa's front leg but catches the back leg as Hayabusa tries to avoid it.
Hermano fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hayabusa is out of range.
Hermano tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hermano, right into the meat.
Hermano misses with a low kick.
Hermano throws a leg kick but Hayabusa sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hayabusa feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Pelle Hermano is winning the standup battle so far.
Hayabusa blocks a head kick by Hermano.
Hayabusa steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Hermano throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hermano lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Hermano darts in and clinches Hayabusa up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hayabusa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hermano is looking to score with low kicks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hermano, right into the meat.
Hayabusa checks a low kick from Hermano.
That kick from Hermano tenderised Hayabusa's leg. Hayabusa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hayabusa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hermano cracks Hayabusa with a good jab.
Hayabusa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hermano avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermano misses with a low kick.
Hayabusa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pelle Hermano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Hayabusa.
Hermano tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hermano with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hermano pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hayabusa is out of range and Hermano settles back down.
Hermano feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hayabusa's calf.
Hayabusa checks a leg kick.
Hermano throws a leg kick but Hayabusa sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hayabusa blocks a leg kick.
Hermano tries to work over Hayabusa's front leg with a kick but Hayabusa checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hermano.
Hermano buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Hayabusa.
Hayabusa checks a leg kick nicely.
A little jabbing left from Hayabusa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hermano feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hayabusa's calf.
Hayabusa lands a jab to Hermano's midsection.
Hermano jabs Hayabusa right on the nose. Hayabusa blinks but takes it well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hayabusa.
Hayabusa checks a leg kick.
Hermano tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hermano throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pelle Hermano dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hermano throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Hayabusa feints the counter takedown.
Good work by Hayabusa as he checks the leg kick.
Hermano sets himself, and Hayabusa steps forward looking for the clinch! Hermano avoids it this time.
Hermano throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hayabusa.
Hayabusa looks for a takedown but Hermano sprawls well.

Hayabusa closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hermano to the mat! Hermano manages to get full guard.
Hayabusa advances to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hayabusa in particular looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayabusa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Akira Hayabusa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hayabusa is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hermano!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayabusa throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Hermano because Hayabusa loaded up on that one.
Hayabusa wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Hayabusa wants to control the pace but Hermano is squirming around nicely.
Hermano tries to lock up and control but Hayabusa gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hayabusa looking to control but Hermano is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Poor strikes thrown by Hayabusa there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Hayabusa moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Hermano has worked his arm free - good work by Hermano!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hayabusa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hayabusa passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Hermano!
Hermano is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Hayabusa seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Hermano is holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermano is wriggling around trying to escape.

Hayabusa is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Hermano has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Hermano!
Hermano distracts Hayabusa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hayabusa 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.
Hermano advances to half guard.
Hermano controlling the pace.
Hayabusa gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa looking to control.
Hermano trying to control but Hayabusa is working from the bottom.
Hayabusa wants to sweep here but Hermano controlling him for the moment.
Hermano postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hermano sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hermano might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hayabusa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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 fight!
Akira Hayabusa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hermano has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pelle Hermano!
Our winner, Pelle Hermano, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Akira Hayabusa spoke after the fight, saying 'Full credit to my opponent for bringing his A-game. Much respect - later down the line, I wanna re-match.'.