PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Blaydes (ranked 4456 p4p, 4075 weight class) and Dean Herb (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dean Herb is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Blaydes
vs
Herb

185 cm
24
210
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
215
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Brian Blaydes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dean Herb!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Blaydes clinches.
Blaydes's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Blaydes presses Herb against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Blaydes throws an elbow but it misses.

Blaydes has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Herb is trying to keep an underhook but Blaydes manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Herb kicks off Blaydes and gets to his feet.

Blaydes fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Herb sprawls well initially but Blaydes persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Herb makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Blaydes fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Herb sprawls well initially but Blaydes persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Herb throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Herb wants to improve his position but Blaydes is controlling well.
Blaydes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Blaydes landing strikes, looking to finish!
Blaydes looking to control but Herb is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Herb regains half guard.
Blaydes lands with a punch from half guard.
Blaydes stalling away here and it's allowed Herb to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Herb looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herb throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
Blaydes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Blaydes wants to control from the top but Herb keeps moving.
Blaydes 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.
Herb tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Blaydes wants to get up but he can't break Herb's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herb is striking from the bottom but Blaydes uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Blaydes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Herb does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Herb looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Blaydes takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Blaydes.

Herb throws Blaydes to one side and escapes!

Herb drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Herb stands up and beckons Blaydes to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Herb decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Herb trying to mount his opponent but Blaydes defends it.
Blaydes trying to control from the bottom.

Herb is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Blaydes has managed to free his arm - good work.

Herb stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Herb dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Blaydes gets a takedown into half guard.

Herb kicks Blaydes off and gets back to his feet.

Blaydes throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Herb tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Blaydes is in Herb's guard.

Herb kicks Blaydes off and gets to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blaydes throws a head kick but Herb moves out of range.
Blaydes throws a lazy right hand but Herb sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Herb closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Blaydes's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Herb is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Blaydes is trying to escape and Herb transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Blaydes is forced to tap! Nice work there by Herb! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Dean Herb!