PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hanley Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cristian Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ramirez comes to the cage accompanied by Take it in Blood -- Nas. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ramirez
vs
Romero

180 cm
33
179 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

179 cm
30
180 lbs
22 - 20 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Meet the Future

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 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Hanley Ramirez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Cristian Romero!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ramirez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A swing and a miss from Ramirez.
Romero gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ramirez.
Romero has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ramirez throws a sloppy head kick and Romero moves out of range easily.

Romero closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Ramirez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Romero tries to advance to mount but Ramirez denies him.
Ramirez managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Romero.
Ramirez is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Romero is looking to take a break and control but Ramirez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sloppy strikes there by Romero.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Romero wants to control for a moment but Ramirez uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Ramirez won't allow Romero to pass to mount.
Ramirez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Romero.
Romero throwing shots but Ramirez is blocking nicely.
Romero looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Romero missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Romero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero throwing shots but Ramirez is blocking nicely.
Romero trying to control from half guard but Ramirez is working away.
Ramirez has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Romero prevents Ramirez from standing back up.
Romero is looking to advance position but Ramirez won't allow it.

Romero is looking for submissions but instead, Ramirez has regained full guard.
Romero throwing strikes from guard but Ramirez blocks nicely.
Romero is in close to Ramirez's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero being controlled here momentarily.
Romero postures up in Ramirez's guard and throws a big left but Ramirez blocks it.
Romero trying to control the position from guard on top but Ramirez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Romero passes Ramirez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Romero is trying to work for a kimura but Ramirez is defending well.
Romero thows a huge punch but Ramirez dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ramirez gets back to full guard.
Romero wants to pass the guard but Ramirez is keeping the position.
Romero throwing strikes but missing.
Romero throws a strike but Ramirez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ramirez won't allow Romero to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Romero working for submissions but it's allowed Ramirez to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cristian Romero dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Romero scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Romero missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Romero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Romero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Romero working Ramirez over with strikes.
Romero sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ramirez defending well though.
Romero trying to pass the guard but Ramirez defending well.

Romero is working for a kimura but Ramirez is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Romero is trying to work for a kimura but Ramirez is defending well.

Romero is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Romero wants to pass the guard but Ramirez is defending well.

Romero looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero throwing shots but Ramirez is blocking nicely.
Ramirez pushes Romero off looking to stand but Romero dives back in and keeps control.
Ramirez won't allow Romero to pass to mount.
Romero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Romero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ramirez keeps working.
Romero throwing shots but Ramirez is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero wants to free his trapped foot but Ramirez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Romero wants to control but Ramirez is keeping him busy.
Ramirez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Romero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ramirez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Romero throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Romero works over Ramirez with some ground and pound from guard.
Cristian Romero has got the better of the ground game so far.
Romero wants to pass the guard but Ramirez is keeping the position.
Romero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ramirez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ramirez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Romero missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Romero missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Romero trying to control but Ramirez is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Romero throws a big right hand that misses.
Ramirez keeping full guard, as Romero tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cristian Romero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Romero shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ramirez pinned against the cage. Ramirez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Romero throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ramirez was covering up waiting for the punch and Romero finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Romero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Romero is looking to work some ground and pound but Ramirez has wrist control.
Romero sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ramirez's guard.
Ramirez is staying active underneath Romero, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Romero is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Ramirez still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Ramirez has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

Ramirez stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Romero is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ramirez's half guard.
Romero wants to pass the guard but Ramirez is defending well.
Romero wants to control but Ramirez is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Romero.
Romero is trying to control. Ramirez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Romero is looking to pass Ramirez's guard but actually Ramirez recovers to full guard.
Romero postures up in Ramirez's guard and throws a big left but Ramirez blocks it.
Romero trying to control the position from guard on top but Ramirez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Romero is pushing down on Ramirez's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ramirez is fighting to maintain full guard but Romero has managed to sneak the leg through.
Romero is looking to advance position but Ramirez won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero is keen to just control but Ramirez is a slippery customer.
Romero thows a huge punch but Ramirez dodges it nicely.
Romero throws a strike but Ramirez avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romero looking to pass the guard.
Ramirez being controlled here, momentarily.
Romero missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Romero drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ramirez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ramirez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ramirez!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero is looking to regain half guard here but Ramirez keeps moving and retains side control.
Hanley Ramirez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Romero pushes Ramirez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ramirez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Romero can't do much from the bottom here.
Romero tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cristian Romero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Romero 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cristian Romero!
Cristian Romero took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Merciless Gladiators for their support in the buildup to the fight.