PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dion Fitzwater (ranked 6891 p4p, 0 weight class) and Haley Herzog Hearn (ranked 7602 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fitzwater
vs
Herzog Hearn

179 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

182 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dion Fitzwater!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Haley Herzog Hearn!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Anthony Taglia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fitzwater clinches up against the cage.

Herzog Hearn gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Herzog Hearn sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Fitzwater controls Herzog Hearn momentarily but Herzog Hearn frees himself.
Herzog Hearn must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fitzwater controlling the position.
Herzog Hearn passes Fitzwater's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzwater is trying to maintain the position but Herzog Hearn is very close to passing his half guard.
Fitzwater tries to get to full guard but Herzog Hearn has control of the leg.
Herzog Hearn stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzwater wants to control but Herzog Hearn is keeping busy.
Herzog Hearn wants to stand up but Fitzwater has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Herzog Hearn tries to pass the half guard into mount. Fitzwater knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Herzog Hearn not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Herzog Hearn throwing shots but Fitzwater is blocking nicely.
Herzog Hearn slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Herzog Hearn shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fitzwater napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Herzog Hearn is working Fitzwater over with some ground and pound from side control.

Herzog Hearn is trying to get an arm triangle but Fitzwater is defending well.
Fitzwater struggling a bit here.
Fitzwater is breathing heavily.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn moves into full mount!
Herzog Hearn controlling the position easily from mount.

Herzog Hearn goes for an armbar but Fitzwater turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Fitzwater.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Herzog Hearn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fitzwater is aware though and is defending well.
Fitzwater is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn controls Fitzwater momentarily but Fitzwater frees himself.
Fitzwater postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fitzwater wants to control from the top but Herzog Hearn keeps moving.

Herzog Hearn working for submissions but it's allowed Fitzwater to get to half guard.
Herzog Hearn tries to get to full guard but Fitzwater has control of the leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Herzog Hearn holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Herzog Hearn wants to control but Fitzwater is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haley Herzog Hearn dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Fitzwater doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Fitzwater wants to clinch up but Herzog Hearn keeps it at a distance.
Dion Fitzwater is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Herzog Hearn is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fitzwater sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fitzwater tries to counter with a takedown but Herzog Hearn is quick to defend against it.

Herzog Hearn looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Fitzwater!
Herzog Hearn really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fitzwater. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Herzog Hearn sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Fitzwater is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Haley Herzog Hearn has got the better of the ground game so far.
Herzog Hearn trying to control the position but Fitzwater is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzwater is trying to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn wants to control but Fitzwater is keeping him busy.
Herzog Hearn working away.

Herzog Hearn decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Fitzwater swings for the body but Herzog Hearn moves out of range.
Herzog Hearn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Herzog Hearn.
Herzog Hearn controlling the position.

Herzog Hearn decides to stand back up. Herzog Hearn steps back and let's Fitzwater get back to his feet.
We've been told by Fitzwater's head coaches at War MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzwater is looking to clinch.

Herzog Hearn is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Fitzwater's half guard.
Herzog Hearn wants to stand but Fitzwater has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Herzog Hearn with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herzog Hearn is continuing to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Herzog Hearn has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Herzog Hearn trying to pass the guard but Fitzwater defending well.
Herzog Hearn is trying to control. Fitzwater wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Herzog Hearn is controlling the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Herzog Hearn looks for a takedown but Fitzwater sprawls well.
Fitzwater doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Herzog Hearn counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Herzog Hearn trying to control the position from guard on top but Fitzwater is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn postures up and lands a big shot to Fitzwater's brow.
Herzog Hearn advances to half guard.
Herzog Hearn performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Herzog Hearn trying to mount his opponent but Fitzwater defends it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Herzog Hearn passes to full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haley Herzog Hearn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Herzog Hearn shoots in and gets a takedown into Fitzwater's guard.
Fitzwater keeping moving, preventing Herzog Hearn from controlling successfully.
Fitzwater utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Herzog Hearn stopping the sweep attempt from Fitzwater.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow that misses. Fitzwater uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Herzog Hearn's guard. Nice move by Fitzwater!

Herzog Hearn has his feet on Fitzwater's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Dion Fitzwater seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herzog Hearn darts in looking for a takedown but Fitzwater gets double underhooks and turns Herzog Hearn into the cage.
Fitzwater has his takedown stuffed

and Herzog Hearn counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn slows the pace down.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Herzog Hearn throws an elbow but Fitzwater slips to the side and avoids it well.
Fitzwater is not content to let Herzog Hearn control the position.

Herzog Hearn decides to stand back up. Herzog Hearn steps back and let's Fitzwater get back to his feet.
Herzog Hearn slaps away a takedown attempt from Fitzwater, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Herzog Hearn shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Fitzwater pushes Herzog Hearn off but Herzog Hearn dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog Hearn working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Herzog Hearn tries to move into full mount but can't pass Fitzwater's legs.
Fitzwater is not content to let Herzog Hearn control the position.

Herzog Hearn thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Herzog Hearn is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fitzwater is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Dion Fitzwater has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fitzwater is not content to let Herzog Hearn control the position.

Herzog Hearn stands up and beckons Fitzwater to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A nice combination there by Herzog Hearn.

It looks like Dion Fitzwater has been cut.

Herzog Hearn shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fitzwater napping and manages to drive through into side control!
An elbow from Herzog Hearn crashes against the mat.
Fitzwater manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Herzog Hearn wants to control but Fitzwater is keeping him busy.
Herzog Hearn works his foot free and advances to mount.
Herzog Hearn throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haley Herzog Hearn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Herzog Hearn 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haley Herzog Hearn!
After the fight, Haley Herzog Hearn 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.