PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Eastmond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ferdinando Ferrari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eastmond comes to the cage accompanied by Nelly- Here Comes The Boom . These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Eastmond
vs
Ferrari

190 cm
33
174 lbs
29 - 11 - 1

178 cm
27
180 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 29 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Ryan Eastmond!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ferdinando Ferrari!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Eliza Hachem and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eastmond checks a leg kick nicely.
Ferrari is looking to slow Eastmond down with leg kicks.
Ferrari getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Eastmond feints and then cracks Ferrari's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ferrari down.
Ryan Eastmond seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ferrari throws a wild body kick that Eastmond sees coming a mile off.
Eastmond swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ferrari throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Eastmond blocks a leg kick.
Eastmond fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ferrari is out of range.

Ferrari darts in and clinches Eastmond up against the cage.
Eastmond tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Eastmond throws a knee to the head but misses.
Eastmond with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Eastmond's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Eastmond misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Eastmond missing with knees to the body.
Eastmond missing with knees to the body.
Ferrari lands with a left to the head.
Ferrari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Eastmond works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body punch from Ferrari - that landed with a thud.
Eastmond goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ferrari lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Eastmond backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eastmond trying to land knees to the body.
Ferrari lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ferrari blocks an uppercut.
Ferrari swings wildly with an uppercut but Eastmond uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ferrari blocks a body shot from Eastmond.
Ferrari lands a left hand.
Eastmond swings wildly with an uppercut but Ferrari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ferrari misses with the head strike.
Ferrari gets through Eastmond's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Ferrari has picked Eastmond up - he's going for a ride! Ferrari dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ferrari slips a nice elbow through Eastmond's hands, connecting with Eastmond's forehead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ferrari is trying to control. Eastmond wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ferrari is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Ferrari has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Ferrari is working for a kimura but Eastmond is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferrari controlling the action here.

Eastmond makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Ferrari blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eastmond attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ferrari uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Eastmond.
Ferrari will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
The fighters circling - Ferrari throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ferrari connects with an inside leg kick.
Ferrari misses with an uppercut.
Ryan Eastmond is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Eastmond gets tackled into the cage by Ferrari. Ferrari maintains the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ferrari.
A short right from Eastmond on the inside.
Eastmond with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Eastmond with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ferrari lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Eastmond backwards.
Ferrari lands a shot to the body.
Ferrari doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ferrari lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Eastmond backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferrari lands a nice uppercut.
Ferrari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ferrari misses with a punch on the inside.
Eastmond swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Ferrari.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eastmond misses with a knee strike.
Eastmond throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ferrari blocks it with crossed arms.
Eastmond tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Ferrari gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Ferrari is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Eastmond doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ferrari.
Ferrari is just content to waste time from the top position. Eastmond takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ferrari's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinando Ferrari dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Eastmond takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Ferrari shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Eastmond napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ferrari wants to control but Eastmond is keeping him busy.
Sloppy strikes there by Ferrari.

Ferrari tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ferrari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Eastmond keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferrari gets to mount! Eastmond was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Ferrari is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Eastmond can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Ferrari tries to control but Eastmond wriggling away.
Ferrari working the ground and pound effectively.
Ferdinando Ferrari has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari controlling the position easily from mount.
Ferrari connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Eastmond slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferrari with the ground and pound but Eastmond uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Eastmond keeping moving, preventing Ferrari from controlling successfully.
Eastmond looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ferrari in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ferrari with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Eastmond avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ferrari is working Eastmond over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ferrari is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ferrari 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Ferrari is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Eastmond defends well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eastmond with a nice head shot there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferrari looking for a sweep. Not yet Ferrari, not yet.
Eastmond will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Eastmond trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferrari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinando Ferrari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ferrari tries to close the distance and clinch up but Eastmond swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Eastmond throws a poor cross that misses
and Ferrari finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Eastmond misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Eastmond throws a series of punches but Ferrari moves out of range.
Ferrari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Eastmond moves away from the strike by Ferrari.

Ferrari closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Eastmond's guard.
Ferrari with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ferrari wants to control from the top but Eastmond keeps moving.
Ferrari not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ferrari landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferrari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ferrari working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Ferrari drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Eastmond manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Ferrari has Eastmond in his guard.
Ferrari is trying to control the position but Eastmond postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferrari looking for a guillotine here but Eastmond defends easily.
Eastmond is looking to stand up but Ferrari won't let him.
Eastmond pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ferrari is keeping the position for now.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ferrari holds on and takes a little breather.

Ferrari had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Eastmond defends it easily.
Ferrari is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eastmond trying to control but Ferrari is working from the bottom.
Ferrari is trying to keep Eastmond in close.
Eastmond prevents Ferrari from getting back to his feet.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ferrari 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A telegraphed right hand from Eastmond misses the target.
Ferrari fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Eastmond throws a looping overhand right but Ferrari ducks down to avoid it.
Ferrari has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Eastmond.
A shot to the body from Eastmond misses
and Ferrari counters with a nice leg kick.
A jab lands there for Eastmond.
Eastmond throws a right and a left that Ferrari avoids nicely.
Eastmond throws out a loose jab but Ferrari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Eastmond throws a nice looking combination but Ferrari bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Eastmond throws the left hand but Ferrari avoids the punch easily.
A swing and a miss from Eastmond.
Ferrari thows a body kick. Eastmond tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Eastmond looks to land a right hand but Ferrari moved out of range.
Good work by Eastmond as he checks the leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Eastmond throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Ferrari looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ferrari missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ferrari slips under a jab from Eastmond.
Ferrari checks a low kick from Eastmond.
Eastmond fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ferrari looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Eastmond connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Eastmond pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ferrari feints a jab promting Eastmond to slip. Ferrari then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Eastmond slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Eastmond misses with a few strikes there.
Eastmond has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Ferrari.
Eastmond throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Eastmond throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ferrari moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Eastmond throws a head kick that misses.
Nice defenses there by Eastmond.
Ferrari connects with a leg kick. Eastmond looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Ferrari gets a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferrari seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Eastmond does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferrari not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ferrari tries to pass the half guard into mount. Eastmond knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Ferrari is working for a kimura but Eastmond is defending it quite comfortably.
Eastmond is staying active underneath Ferrari, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferrari looking for a submission but Eastmond manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Ferrari advances position into side control!
Ferrari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ferrari working the ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari cracks Eastmond with a big right hand but Eastmond just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Ferrari goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Eastmond has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ferrari but great work by Eastmond.
Ferrari is trying to improve his position.
Ferrari struggling a bit here.
Eastmond lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Ferrari down.
Ferrari is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari wants to control but Eastmond postures up.

Eastmond wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ferrari, who protects the arm well.
Ferrari tries to buck Eastmond off but Eastmond is having none of it.
Ferrari is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Eastmond landing strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eastmond scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ferrari to see if he's OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eastmond throwing strikes but Ferrari manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinando Ferrari dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Eastmond's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Eastmond with a hook.
Eastmond rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ferrari moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Ferrari!
Ferrari throws a push kick but Eastmond slaps the foot to one side.
Eastmond looks to land a left hand but Ferrari moved out of range nicely.
Ferrari takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Eastmond throws a hook but Ferrari avoids it easily.
Eastmond swinging wildly here.
Ferrari lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Eastmond looks to land a left hand but Ferrari moved out of range nicely.

Ferrari shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ferrari wants to control but Eastmond is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferrari wants to pass the guard but Eastmond is defending well.
Ferrari missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ferrari is stalling here. Eastmond is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Ferrari seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Eastmond has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Check out the look on Eastmond's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Eastmond works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Ferrari pushes Eastmond away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Eastmond gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Ferrari is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Ferrari's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ferrari is looking for a sweep.
Eastmond is chipping away with strikes.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.

Eastmond is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ferrari is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari gets back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ferrari manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ferdinando Ferrari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ferrari keeping full guard, as Eastmond tries to pass.
Eastmond trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ferrari wants to control the position but Eastmond says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ferrari trying to hold on to Eastmond's head to control him but Eastmond postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari is refusing to be controlled, as Eastmond sits in half guard.
Eastmond not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ferrari is looking to improve his position.
Eastmond not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Eastmond thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ferrari's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferrari wants to control but Eastmond is keeping busy.
Ryan Eastmond has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ferrari keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ryan Eastmond.
I think Ferrari has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 46:49
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 46:50
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ferdinando Ferrari!
Ferdinando Ferrari is the new welterweight champion!
Our winner, Ferdinando Ferrari, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.