PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Romeo Del Gaiso (ranked 3371 p4p, 24790 weight class) and Frederico Fernandes (ranked 194 p4p, 349 weight class). Del Gaiso comes to the cage accompanied by Deorro, Elvis Crespo & Henry Fong - Pica. Fernandes is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Born to be wild. Frederico Fernandes has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Del Gaiso
vs
Fernandes

180 cm
22
142
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
21
145
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Romeo Del Gaiso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Frederico Fernandes!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Del Gaiso tries to clinch there but Fernandes circles away.
Del Gaiso stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Del Gaiso blocks a head kick by Fernandes.
A big left from Del Gaiso misses.

Del Gaiso drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Del Gaiso is trying to get an arm triangle but Fernandes is defending well.
Del Gaiso working the ground and pound.
An elbow from Del Gaiso crashes against the mat.
Del Gaiso lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Del Gaiso tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fernandes manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Fernandes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Del Gaiso. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Del Gaiso tries to roll over but Fernandes keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandes wants to control but Del Gaiso is keeping him busy.

Fernandes is working for a kimura but Del Gaiso is defending it quite comfortably.
Del Gaiso is looking for a sweep. Fernandes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fernandes trying to control from Del Gaiso's half guard. Del Gaiso has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Fernandes stopping the sweep attempt from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso keeping moving, preventing Fernandes from controlling successfully.
Fernandes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fernandes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Del Gaiso wants to stand but Fernandes is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Gaiso looking for a sweep. Not yet Del Gaiso, not yet.

Fernandes decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Del Gaiso, up you get!
Fernandes throws a body punch but Del Gaiso moves out of range.
Del Gaiso fails with a takedown attempt.
Frederico Fernandes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fernandes misses with a few strikes there.

Del Gaiso clinches with his opponent.
Del Gaiso goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fernandes prevents it.
Del Gaiso throws a head punch that misses.
We've been informed that Fernandes has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Del Gaiso lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fernandes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Del Gaiso is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Romeo Del Gaiso. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Gaiso has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Fernandes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Fernandes is trying to push Del Gaiso away but Del Gaiso has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Del Gaiso lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fernandes backwards.
Del Gaiso lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Del Gaiso fails to land.
Del Gaiso fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Del Gaiso blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Del Gaiso blocks an elbow strike.
Del Gaiso throws a punch but it's blocked by Fernandes.
Del Gaiso goes for a takedown attempt but Fernandes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fernandes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fernandes ducks under a wild hook from Del Gaiso.

Del Gaiso has managed to clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fernandes utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fernandes is trying to force a seperation but Del Gaiso has the dominant position.
Fernandes looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Del Gaiso is looking for a takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick misses from Fernandes.
Del Gaiso seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A low kick lands for Fernandes.
Del Gaiso tries to clinch there but Fernandes circles away.
Fernandes lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Del Gaiso shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fernandes looks to land a combination but Del Gaiso avoids it well.
Del Gaiso moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fernandes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Del Gaiso really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Jab by Fernandes.
Del Gaiso blocks the body kick.
Fernandes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Del Gaiso.
Frederico Fernandes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fernandes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Del Gaiso moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Frederico Fernandes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Del Gaiso wants to clinch up but Fernandes keeps it at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Del Gaiso.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Romeo Del Gaiso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernandes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fernandes lands a nice looking body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Del Gaiso tries to clinch up.
Fernandes throws a sloppy head kick and Del Gaiso moves out of range easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Del Gaiso misses the target.
Del Gaiso moves in looking to clinch but Fernandes pushes him off.
Fernandes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Good exchange - Fernandes coming out on top.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Del Gaiso lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fernandes backwards.
Del Gaiso wants to take the fight to the mat but Fernandes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fernandes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fernandes throws a punch but it's blocked by Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso lands a right hand.
Del Gaiso drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Del Gaiso misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Del Gaiso is defending well for now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Fernandes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fernandes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Del Gaiso.
Fernandes lands with a cross.

Del Gaiso instigates a clinch.

Fernandes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Del Gaiso avoids the head kick by Fernandes.
Fernandes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Del Gaiso lands a glancing blow to the side of Fernandes's head.
Frederico Fernandes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Del Gaiso instigates a clinch.
I was talking to Del Gaiso's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Fernandes blocks an uppercut.
Fernandes prevents a takedown attempt there.
Fernandes working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Fernandes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice body kick from Fernandes.
Fernandes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Del Gaiso.
Fernandes with a hook.
Del Gaiso tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fernandes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Del Gaiso was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fernandes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Del Gaiso moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Del Gaiso instigates a clinch.
Del Gaiso throws a head punch that misses.
Del Gaiso misses with a punch on the inside.

Del Gaiso has Fernandes pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Del Gaiso pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fernandes tumbling to the mat - Del Gaiso dives into Fernandes's guard.
Del Gaiso is standing up over Fernandes. Fernandes looks to escape but Del Gaiso dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fernandes is looking to regain half guard here but Del Gaiso keeps moving and retains side control.
Fernandes keeps trying to improve his position.

Del Gaiso swings around for an armbar but Fernandes sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Del Gaiso's guard.
Fernandes wants to stand and escape but instead Del Gaiso has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Fernandes avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fernandes controls Del Gaiso momentarily but Del Gaiso frees himself.
Del Gaiso stands up over Fernandes, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Del Gaiso loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frederico Fernandes 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! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Fernandes misses with a few strikes there.
Del Gaiso moves out of range of the leg kick from Fernandes.
Fernandes throws a leg kick but Del Gaiso checks it.
Del Gaiso throwing a counter right hand but Fernandes manages to avoid it.
Del Gaiso tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Del Gaiso throws a jab but it's blocked by Fernandes.
Del Gaiso wants to clinch.
Fernandes walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Del Gaiso shoots in looking for a takedown. Fernandes tries to sprawl out of it but Del Gaiso keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fernandes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Del Gaiso tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fernandes unleashes a big counter combination but Del Gaiso bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Del Gaiso throws a big shot that misses.
Fernandes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Del Gaiso wants to clinch.
Del Gaiso tries to clinch up.

Del Gaiso looking to score a takedown here. Fernandes is defending well but Del Gaiso drives through and ends up in Fernandes's guard.
Del Gaiso postures up.
Del Gaiso postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fernandes controlling Del Gaiso's posture.
Fernandes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Del Gaiso trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fernandes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Del Gaiso is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fernandes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Del Gaiso is looking to work some ground and pound but Fernandes has wrist control.
Del Gaiso trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fernandes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Del Gaiso postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Del Gaiso preventing the sweep.
Del Gaiso throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fernandes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Del Gaiso loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Del Gaiso wants to pass the guard but Fernandes is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Gaiso throws a big elbow that misses.
Del Gaiso throws a big right hand that misses.
Del Gaiso working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Del Gaiso is pushing down on Fernandes's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fernandes is fighting to maintain full guard but Del Gaiso has managed to sneak the leg through.
Del Gaiso thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Del Gaiso throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Del Gaiso thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Del Gaiso throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fernandes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Del Gaiso.
Fernandes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso connects with a couple of short punches.
Del Gaiso postures up in Fernandes's guard and throws a big left but Fernandes blocks it.
Fernandes wants to sweep here but Del Gaiso controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fernandes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Del Gaiso drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Fernandes manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Del Gaiso has Fernandes in his guard.

Del Gaiso wants to stand up but Fernandes is controlling him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romeo Del Gaiso showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Del Gaiso 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romeo Del Gaiso!
Romeo Del Gaiso decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated Frederico Fernandes had this to say: 'The judges stole my victory'.