PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anno Bik (ranked 3388 p4p, 5514 weight class) and Tanner Herro (ranked 422 p4p, 545 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Bik
vs
Herro

202 cm
23
205
2 - 2 - 0

194 cm
24
224
9 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Champion Apparel

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Anno Bik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tanner Herro!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Herro takes the fight into the clinch.
I was talking to Bik's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Herro tries to break the clinch but Bik is controlling the position.
Herro is pressed up against the cage. Bik has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Herro down to the mat. Herro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Herro clinches with his opponent.
Bik is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Herro pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Bik really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Herro working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Herro digs a right hand underneath Bik's ribcage. Bik let out a lung full of air as it connected.

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

Bik is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Herro is just riding it out for now. Bik eventually gives up the hold.

Herro looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Herro is defending against the submission attempts here by Bik.
Herro works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bik avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Herro controlling Bik's posture.

Herro is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bik is aware though and is defending well.
Bik controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bik wants to control from the top but Herro keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bik is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Herro is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Herro tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bik avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bik's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Bik thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bik looking to pass the guard.
Bik wants to control from the top but Herro keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herro throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bik counters with a lovely straight right hand!
No joy there for Herro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Herro uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bik has time to react.
Herro throws a jab when Bik was well out of range.

Herro closes the distance and clinches.
A nice left hand lands by Herro.

Bik wants the takedown. Herro is fighting it off but Bik persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Herro's guard against the cage.
Bik preventing the sweep.
Bik works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Bik is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Herro defends it well.
Herro tries to get to full guard but Bik has control of the leg.
Bik moves nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bik is looking to take a break and control but Herro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Herro can't do much from the bottom here.
Herro manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bik regains full guard. Nicely done.
Herro postures up.
Herro throws a big right hand that misses.
Bik is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Herro postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bik is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Herro, into his guard.

Bik trying to control the position from guard on top but Herro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Herro forces Bik back against the cage and clinches.

Herro breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Herro gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bik wants a takedown but no success here.
Bik drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short right from Herro on the inside.
Bik changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Herro fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anno Bik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Herro throws a right and a left that Bik avoids nicely.
Tanner Herro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Herro connects with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herro misses with a straight right.
Herro moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bik avoids the body shot from Herro.

Bik fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Herro sprawls well initially but Bik persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Anno Bik overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herro makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Herro.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bik looking to pass the guard.

Bik drops back looking for a leg! Herro is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Herro manages to kick Bik off! Bik jumps back into Herro's guard.
Bik being controlled here momentarily.
Herro is trying to control the position but Bik postures up.
Bik content to stall in guard here.
Herro keeping moving, preventing Bik from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Herro controls Bik momentarily but Bik frees himself.

Herro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Herro working a defensive guard here.

Herro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bik won't allow Herro to sweep him here.
Herro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Herro is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Bik is looking to control Herro's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bik avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bik regains full guard. Nicely done.
Herro wants to stand but Bik has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Herro tries to free his leg and advance position but Bik is retaining full guard.
Herro is looking to stand up but Bik won't let him.
Herro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bik is keeping the position for now.
Herro stopping the sweep attempt from Bik.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Herro trying to control but Bik is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Herro trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bik looking to hit a scissor sweep but Herro is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Herro fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bik, pushing him back against the cage.
Bik has Herro pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Herro manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Herro is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Herro has Bik pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Herro pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Bik tumbling to the mat - Herro dives into Bik's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bik can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Herro controls the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tanner Herro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Herro scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Herro throws a body punch but Bik moves out of range.
Bik is looking to counter the offense by Herro and move into the clinch.

Herro moves into range and clinches up with Bik.
A short right from Herro on the inside.
Bik avoiding damage as Herro throws knees to the body.
Herro leaning his opponent against the cage.
Herro is trying to break the clinch but Bik is controlling him.
Bik looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bik avoiding damage as Herro throws knees to the body.
Herro is pressed up against the cage. Bik has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Herro down to the mat. Herro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Herro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bik moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Herro closes the distance and clinches.
Bik wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anno Bik. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bik drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short right from Bik on the inside.

Herro's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bik takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Bik gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bik fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bik has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Herro avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Herro is trying to stall.
Herro swings wildly with an uppercut but Bik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bik tries for a takedown but Herro manages to get underhooks.
Herro is looking to control Bik's arms but Bik gets an underhook and turns him. Now Herro has his back to the cage.
Bik avoiding damage as Herro throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Herro tries to circle away but Bik has him pinned against the cage.
Herro lands a good knee to the midsection. Bik won't want to take too many of those.
Tanner Herro seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bik makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bik tries for a takedown but Herro manages to get underhooks.
Bik wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Herro misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bik.

Bik wants the takedown. Herro is fighting it off but Bik persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Herro's guard against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Herro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Herro is trying to control the position but Bik postures up.
Herro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bik trying to control but Herro is working from the bottom.
Bik wants to pass the guard but Herro is keeping the position.
Bik trying to control but Herro is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bik pushes down on Herro's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Bik is looking to stall here but Herro recovers full guard.
Bik pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Herro is keeping the position for now.
Herro 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.
Bik slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Herro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tanner Herro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bik advances to full mount.

Herro defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bik.

Bik working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Bik looking to secure an arm triangle but Herro defends it well.
Herro manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Herro is looking to control Bik's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Herro avoid being mounted?
Anno Bik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Bik is working for a kimura but Herro is defending it quite comfortably.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tanner Herro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Herro 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tanner Herro!