PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rutger Hermann (ranked 21220 p4p, 3619 weight class) and Yoel Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hermann
vs
Romero

180 cm
27
245
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
26
265
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rutger Hermann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoel Romero!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Ivan Kurochkin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hermann looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Romero had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hermann defends it easily.

Romero working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hermann doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hermann manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hermann's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hermann chips away with some ground and pound.

Hermann avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hermann controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Romero working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Hermann has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermann controlling the action here.

Romero is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hermann pulls his head out easily.
Hermann is controlling the pace.

Hermann is looking for a kimura but Romero is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hermann to get the leverage.
Hermann keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Hermann has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hermann lands a nice short elbow.

Romero with the active half guard here but Hermann passes nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hermann stands up and beckons Romero to his feet.

Hermann has Romero up against the cage in a clinch.

Hermann's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hermann misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hermann misses with a body kick.

Romero gets the takedown into side control.
Romero working away.
Hermann manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermann gets back to full guard.
Romero must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Romero drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hermann looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hermann looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hermann!

Romero tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hermann wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hermann happy to just control the position for now.
Hermann wants to stand but Romero is controlling his arm.
A lull in the action here as Hermann stalls from top position.
Romero is looking to regain half guard here but Hermann keeps moving and retains side control.
Hermann connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Romero some visible discomfort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Romero is trying to get back to half guard.
Hermann in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hermann working the ground and pound.
Hermann controlling from side mount.

Hermann tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Romero is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rutger Hermann 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.

Romero fails with a takedown attempt.
Hermann rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Romero moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Romero shoots in but Hermann avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Romero shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hermann as he avoids it easily.
Rutger Hermann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoel Romero.

Hermann pushes Romero up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hermann prevents a takedown attempt there.

Hermann breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hermann moves into the clinch successfully.

Hermann breaks the clinch.

Hermann shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Romero is trying to defend but Hermann finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Romero wants to improve his position but Hermann is controlling well.

Romero looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Romero is breathing heavily.
Hermann works his foot free and advances to mount.

Hermann working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Romero looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Hermann! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Rutger Hermann!