PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yonny Hershey (ranked 918 p4p, 2377 weight class) and Justin Freeman (ranked 145 p4p, 337 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Hershey
vs
Freeman

187 cm
26
183
5 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
178
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Yonny Hershey!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Justin Freeman!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Seu Braga and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hershey fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Freeman to the ground. Hershey is now in Freeman's guard.

Freeman has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Hershey is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Freeman tries for a takedown but Hershey manages to get underhooks.

Freeman manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Freeman or perhaps it was just good defense by Hershey, which made it look bad.
Hershey half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Hershey gets a clinch.

Freeman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hershey feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Freeman working a defensive guard here.
Hershey looking to sit in guard and control but Freeman gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Freeman trying to control the position from guard on top but Hershey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hershey trying to control the position here.
Hershey wants to sweep but no luck.
Freeman lands a couple of digs.
Hershey pulls Freeman in close to prevent any damage.
Hershey has a closed guard, preventing Freeman from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hershey tries to land a sweep but no joy.
I've been told that Freeman has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.
Freeman is looking to work some ground and pound but Hershey has wrist control.

Freeman gets to his feet - Hershey follows without any prompting.
Freeman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hershey sprawls well. Hershey wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Freeman gets slowly back to his feet.
Yonny Hershey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Freeman.
Freeman jabs Hershey right on the nose. Hershey blinks but takes it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hershey gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Freeman to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Hershey working for a triangle but Freeman defends it easily.
We've been hearing good reports from Hershey's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Freeman throws an elbow that misses. Hershey uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Freeman's guard. Nice move by Hershey!

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Freeman is on top in guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hershey is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hershey wants to control from the top but Freeman keeps moving.
Hershey content to stall in guard here.
Hershey wants to pass the guard but Freeman is keeping the position.

Hershey decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Freeman, up you get!
Freeman fails to land the takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Justin Freeman will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Freeman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hershey circles away.
Hershey fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Freeman avoids it really well and circles away.
Hershey avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hershey tries to counter with a takedown but Freeman is quick to defend against it.
Hershey looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Freeman tries to counter with a clinch but Hershey shakes him off and moves away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Freeman!
Freeman connects with a solid leg kick.

Freeman feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Hershey pushes Freeman off and scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Freeman scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hershey doesn't seem bothered though.
Freeman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hershey paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Freeman circles away from the clinch attempt
and Freeman counters with a stiff right hand.
Freeman dives in for a single leg takedown but Hershey sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Yonny Hershey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Freeman.

Hershey gets tackled into the cage by Freeman. Freeman maintains the clinch.
Hershey throws an elbow but it misses.
Hershey fails to pull guard.
Hershey tries to pull guard but Freeman won't allow it.

Hershey works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Freeman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Freeman working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Hershey has passed into half guard!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hershey is working for a submission of some sort.
Hershey trying to control the pace.
Hershey thows a huge punch but Freeman dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hershey thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Freeman tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Hershey has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Freeman is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Freeman tries to reverse the position but Hershey maintains control.

Hershey goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Freeman turns into him and now he's in Hershey's guard.
Hershey keeping moving, preventing Freeman from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freeman would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Freeman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hershey wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hershey tries to strike from the bottom.
Freeman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yonny Hershey will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hershey shoots in but no luck this time.
Freeman doesn't manage to clinch there - Hershey circles away.
Yonny Hershey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Freeman moves in looking to clinch but Hershey pushes him off.

Hershey feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hershey missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Freeman 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.
Freeman keeps trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hershey slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Freeman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hershey wants to pass the guard but Freeman is keeping the position.
Hershey sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Hershey pushing down on Freeman's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hershey is taking a breather. Freeman says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Hershey is looking to stall here but Freeman recovers full guard.
Hershey slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Freeman pulls Hershey in close to his closed guard and prevents Hershey from doing any damage or advancing position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hershey trying to control the position from guard on top but Freeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Hershey tries to clinch but Freeman moves out of range.
Freeman lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Freeman has closed the distance and engaged Hershey in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman stalling against the cage.
Hershey is looking for a takedown.
Freeman stalls.

Hershey manages to break the clinch.

Freeman drives through with a takedown into guard.
Freeman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hershey pulls Freeman in to control the position.
Hershey wants to stand and escape but Freeman is having none of it.
Hershey is trying to control the position but Freeman postures up.
Yonny Hershey overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Freeman wants to control from the top but Hershey keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hershey bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Freeman's guard.

Hershey throwing strikes from guard but Freeman blocks nicely.

Hershey avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Freeman wants to stand and escape but Hershey is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Freeman being controlled here, momentarily.
Freeman keeping full guard, as Hershey tries to pass.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Yonny Hershey did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Freeman fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hershey gets the takedown into side control.
Freeman wants to control but Hershey postures up.
Freeman managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Hershey.
Freeman is trying to control Hershey's posture but Hershey avoids it.
Hershey controlling from side mount.
Freeman struggling a bit here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hershey stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hershey sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Freeman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hershey avoids it really well and circles away.
Hershey goes for a double leg but Freeman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Freeman continues to drive forward.
Freeman tries to break the clinch but Hershey is controlling the position.
Hershey is looking to control Freeman's arms but Freeman gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hershey has his back to the cage.
Hershey tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Freeman tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hershey just stands there and leans against the cage.
Yonny Hershey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Freeman.
Hershey stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Freeman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Freeman is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hershey has Freeman pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Freeman manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Freeman has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hershey has Freeman pressed against the cage, preventing Freeman from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hershey tries for a takedown. No joy.

Freeman manages to pull guard.
Freeman wants to control the position but Hershey says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Freeman trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Freeman actively working from the bottom here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hershey in particular looking to stall.
Hershey blocks the strikes from Freeman.
Freeman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hershey is controlling the pace.
Freeman is trying to control but Hershey manages to pass to mount!

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.
Hershey tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hershey unloading with bombs!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Freeman really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hershey content just to control the position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yonny Hershey had his way with Justin Freeman in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Freeman swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hershey.
Freeman has his takedown stuffed

and Hershey counters with a nice double leg into side control. Freeman won't be happy with that.
Hershey content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Freeman wants to get back to his feet but Hershey drags him back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hershey stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Hershey shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hershey was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Freeman is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hershey's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Hershey escapes and gets back to his feet.

Freeman gets caught flat footed, as Hershey shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Freeman wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Hershey is now in half guard.
Hershey missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freeman trying to get back to full guard but Hershey takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Hershey throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Hershey working the ground and pound effectively.
Hershey sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Freeman is trying to stand but he's just given Hershey his back.
Hershey controlling well, preventing Freeman from escaping the position.
Freeman looking very determined here, making life difficult for Hershey.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman's corner are yelling at him, telling him to just focus on controlling Hershey's hands.
Hershey trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Freeman doesn't escape.
Freeman trying to get back to his feet but Hershey is in full control for now.

Hershey is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Freeman with him. Freeman is trying to defend but Hershey has an arm under the chin now! Freeman grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Yonny Hershey!
Yonny Hershey retains his welterweight title!