PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paul Herrera (ranked 5415 p4p, 4884 weight class) and Willie Layer (ranked 483 p4p, 452 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Herrera
vs
Layer

185 cm
27
180
8 - 18 - 0

189 cm
38
185
9 - 14 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Herrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Willie Layer!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Radbod Blank and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Herrera looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Layer!
Herrera is looking to take a break and control but Layer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Herrera is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Layer has escaped the position, nice work there.

Herrera thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herrera misses with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Layer is looking to reverse the position.
Herrera in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Layer's face as Herrera controls the position.

Herrera is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Layer has escaped the position, nice work there.

Herrera goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Layer rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Herrera's guard! Nice work there by Layer!
Herrera pulls Layer in close to his closed guard and prevents Layer from doing any damage or advancing position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herrera looking for a sweep. Not yet Herrera, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Herrera is on top in guard.

Herrera definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Layer can do anything to dispel that myth.
Herrera controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Layer working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Herrera.
Herrera looking to pass the guard.
Herrera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Layer can't keep his opponent in guard - Herrera advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Layer makes his way to full guard, as Herrera worked for a kimura.
Herrera throwing strikes but missing.

Herrera gets to his feet - Layer follows without any prompting.
Herrera uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Layer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herrera is really struggling to control Layer but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Herrera decides to stand back up. Herrera steps back and let's Layer get back to his feet.
Layer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Herrera fails to land the takedown.
Herrera fails with the takedown.
A little jabbing left from Layer on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Herrera dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Herrera shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Layer as he jumps to the side.
Herrera looks for a takedown but Layer sprawls well.
Layer looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Herrera throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Layer connects with a right hand. Herrera shakes it off.
Herrera moves out of range of the strikes.
Herrera tries to counter with a takedown but Layer is quick to defend against it.
Herrera misses with a takedown attempt - Layer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Layer looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Herrera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herrera tries to close the distance and clinch up but Layer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Herrera doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Layer counters with a three punch combo that has Herrera backing up. Herrera nods at Layer to acknowledge the strikes.
Nice body punch from Herrera.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herrera lands an overhand right.
Herrera shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Layer connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Herrera looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Paul Herrera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Herrera lands a really nice looking cross but Layer seems unphased.
Herrera looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Layer is fending him off so far but Herrera persists. Nope, Layer circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Herrera.
Herrera swinging wildly here.

Herrera moves into range and clinches up with Layer.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Herrera has closed the distance and engaged Layer in a clinch.
Layer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Layer scores with a nice short uppercut.
Layer working aggressively here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Layer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Layer can't break the clinch.
Layer misses with a short punch on the inside.

Layer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Herrera changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Layer tries to avoid it but Herrera manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Layer to the ground. Layer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Layer dodges the punch combination from Herrera.

Layer tries to keep at a distance but Herrera has taken the fight into the clinch.

Herrera gets control of Layer's arms and successfully pulls guard. Herrera will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Herrera looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herrera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Layer.
Herrera is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Layer stands up over Herrera, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Layer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Herrera escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Layer gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Herrera wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Layer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Layer throws an elbow that misses. Herrera uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Layer's guard. Nice move by Herrera!

Layer wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Herrera manages to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Herrera wants to work for an arm triangle but Layer is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Herrera is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Layer is just riding it out for now. Herrera eventually gives up the hold.
Herrera thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Layer's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Herrera dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Layer stuffs the takedown.
Layer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Herrera.
Herrera lands a jab-cross combination.
Herrera slips under a jab.
Herrera attempts a counter takedown but Layer avoids it well and moves away.
Herrera's corner calls for a 1-2. Herrera obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Herrera tries to clinch up but Layer circles away and keeps his distance.
Layer circles away from the clinch attempt.
Layer stuffs the takedown attempt from Herrera. Herrera gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Herrera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herrera misses with a takedown

and Layer counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Herrera manages to pull guard.
Herrera trying to keep a closed guard but Layer is proving a slippery customer.
Layer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Layer postures up in Herrera's guard and throws a big left but Herrera blocks it.
Layer throws a strike but Herrera rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Herrera throws a big elbow that misses.

Herrera decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Herrera looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Herrera misses with a double jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Herrera is defended easily by Layer.
Layer unleashes a big counter combination but Herrera bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Herrera wants to clinch.
It seemed like Layer was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Willie Layer seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herrera slips a jab from Layer.
Layer misses with a series of wild punches.

Herrera looking to score a takedown here. Layer is defending well but Herrera drives through and ends up in Layer's guard.
Herrera pushing down on Layer's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Herrera wants to pass the guard but Layer is defending well.

Herrera decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herrera is looking to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Layer! But no joy.
A head kick by Herrera misses
and Layer counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Herrera clinches up against the cage.
Layer misses with a short punch on the inside.

Herrera successfully pulls guard.
Layer lands a couple of digs.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Herrera is on top in guard.

Willie Layer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Herrera wants to control from the top but Layer keeps moving.
Herrera is looking to work some ground and pound but Layer has wrist control.

Layer is working an open guard so Herrera takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Herrera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Herrera misses with a knee to the head.

Layer breaks from the clinch.
Herrera shoots in looking for a takedown but Layer manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Herrera's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice sprawl there from Layer as Herrera shoots in.
Herrera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Layer can do to turn this around?
Herrera fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Herrera avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Herrera has managed to clinch.
Layer misses with some punches.
Herrera landing knees to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Herrera just misses with a elbow thrown towards Layer's brow.
Paul Herrera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Herrera has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Layer after a bit of a struggle.
Layer misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Herrera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Herrera, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Herrera!
Paul Herrera thanked the fans post fight for their support.