PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Backlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fernandez comes to the cage accompanied by The Eagles - Hotel Calafornia. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Fernandez
vs
Backlund

186 cm
42
201 lbs
30 - 18 - 0

189 cm
32
189 lbs
13 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

KnockOut

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 30 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Miguel Fernandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bob Backlund!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick from Fernandez misses.
Backlund throws a sloppy head kick and Fernandez moves out of range easily.
Fernandez throws a quick inside leg kick.
Fernandez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Backlund at a distance.
Backlund 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.
Fernandez throws a solid leg kick but Backlund takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fernandez.
Fernandez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fernandez fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Backlund.
Fernandez just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Backlund.
Backlund bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Backlund throws a fast counter high kick but Fernandez manages to duck under it in time.
Fernandez misses with a lunging right hand
and Backlund counters with a low kick, right behind Fernandez 's knee.
Backlund lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez throws a leg kick that misses.
Fernandez misses with a hook.
Fernandez throws a low kick but Backlund moves out of range easily.
Backlund throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Fernandez looks to land a right hand but Backlund moved out of range.
Fernandez backing away here, and Backlund unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Fernandez misses with a left hand
and Backlund counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Backlund ducks right into an uppercut from Fernandez.
Fernandez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Backlund appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Backlund showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fernandez.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Backlund.
Backlund throws a head kick but Fernandez moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Backlund was well out of range. Poor timing from Fernandez.
Backlund throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fernandez's corner calls for a 1-2. Fernandez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Miguel Fernandez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A chopping leg kick lands by Fernandez.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fernandez takes a swing at Backlund's ribcage but misses.
Backlund only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Backlund throws a head kick that misses.
Backlund checks a leg kick nicely.
Backlund with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Fernandez throws a jab when Backlund was well out of range.

Fernandez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Fernandez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Backlund wants to control but Fernandez postures up.
Backlund is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund wants to control but Fernandez postures up.
Backlund regains half guard.
Fernandez takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Fernandez winds up and cracks Backlund with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Backlund trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Backlund wants to improve his position but Fernandez is controlling well.
Fernandez is looking to stall here but Backlund recovers full guard.
Backlund is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez throws a big right hand that misses.
Fernandez trying to control the position from guard on top but Backlund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backlund managing to control the position.

Backlund has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Fernandez should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Backlund has tightened it up now! Fernandez should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Bob Backlund!
After the fight, Bob Backlund was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
Miguel Fernandez spoke after the fight, saying 'Hey guys, that's it now. I'm done. It's been a helluva run but it's time to hang up the gloves. Thank you.'.