PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gerald Hendo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorge Cristobal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Hendo
vs
Cristobal

188 cm
19
187 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
25
196 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gerald Hendo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jorge Cristobal!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Sergei Dronov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cristobal leaves Hendo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cristobal ducks under a wild hook from Hendo.

Hendo has managed to clinch.
Cristobal drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hendo pulls his leg out and moves away.

Hendo shoots in and gets a takedown into Cristobal's guard.
Hendo won't allow Cristobal to sweep him here.
Cristobal is trying to control the position but Hendo postures up.

Cristobal has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hendo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hendo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hendo is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cristobal trying to control the position.
Hendo passes Cristobal's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Cristobal is trying to get back to full guard.
Hendo tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Cristobal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hendo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cristobal is refusing to be controlled, as Hendo sits in half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cristobal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hendo but Hendo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cristobal darts in looking for a takedown but Hendo gets double underhooks and turns Cristobal into the cage.
Hendo appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Gerald Hendo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorge Cristobal.
Hendo tries to close the distance and clinch but Cristobal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hendo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hendo has managed to clinch.
Cristobal dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Hendo pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cristobal tries to stand but Hendo is controlling from the bottom.
Hendo is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Cristobal controlling from the top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cristobal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cristobal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hendo is keeping the position for now.
Cristobal wants to get up but he can't break Hendo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hendo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cristobal.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Cristobal drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hendo parries the strikes from Cristobal easily there. Cristobal is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Hendo to escape.
Cristobal working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cristobal is putting a hurting on Hendo here, landing some big shots from side control.
Cristobal tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cristobal looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Hendo is avoiding damage well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gerald Hendo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cristobal decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Jorge Cristobal has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hendo is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Cristobal jumps into side control!

Cristobal swings around for an armbar but Hendo sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Cristobal's guard.
Cristobal controls Hendo momentarily but Hendo frees himself.
Hendo wanted to stand there but Cristobal had control of the position.
Cristobal managing to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hendo wants to stand but Cristobal is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hendo controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cristobal looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hendo puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Hendo tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Cristobal.
Cristobal tries to get to full guard but Hendo has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cristobal keeps trying to improve his position.
Cristobal has hold of Hendo's hands but Hendo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cristobal is looking to control Hendo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cristobal avoid being mounted?
Hendo wants to stand up but Cristobal has a hold of him and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gerald Hendo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cristobal.
Cristobal throws a wild body kick that Hendo sees coming a mile off.
Hendo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cristobal drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hendo defends it well.
Cristobal shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cristobal circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hendo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cristobal swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hendo doesn't manage to clinch there - Cristobal circles away.
Cristobal looks for a takedown but Hendo sprawls well.
Gerald Hendo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorge Cristobal.
Hendo throws a nice looking combination but Cristobal bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cristobal shoots in for a takedown but Hendo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cristobal is breathing heavily.

Hendo instigates a clinch.
Hendo can't find room to land a body shot as Cristobal controls the action.
Hendo tries for a takedown. No joy.

Hendo manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hendo wants to stand up but Cristobal is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Cristobal stands and steps away. Hendo gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hendo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Hendo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cristobal trying to stall but Hendo improves his position.
Cristobal is working for takedown but Hendo is calmly controlling the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hendo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cristobal uses from the top position.
Hendo trying to control the position.
Hendo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cristobal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Hendo dominated that second round.
That's time! Hendo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cristobal shoots in for a takedown but Hendo shows good takedown defense.
Cristobal closes the distance and clinches up with Hendo, looking for a takedown. Cristobal pushes Hendo against the cage but Hendo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cristobal closes the distance and clinches up with Hendo, looking for a takedown. Cristobal pushes Hendo against the cage but Hendo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gerald Hendo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorge Cristobal.
Cristobal just misses with a punch to the body.
Cristobal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hendo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cristobal's waist but Cristobal gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hendo off to one side.
Hendo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Hendo instigates a clinch.
Cristobal is trying to pull guard but Hendo turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Hendo breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cristobal blocks a head kick by Hendo.
Hendo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cristobal can do to turn this around?

Hendo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hendo showed some decent athleticism there.
Cristobal trying to control but Hendo postures up.
Cristobal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cristobal is trying to control but Hendo manages to pass to mount!
Hendo avoids the attempt from Cristobal to control.
Hendo looking to control but Cristobal is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cristobal tries to hold on but Hendo postures up.
Hendo trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendo avoids the attempt from Cristobal to control.
Cristobal gets back to half guard.
Hendo is controlling the pace.
Cristobal has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hendo is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendo wants to stand up but Cristobal has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Cristobal is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hendo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hendo's back!
Cristobal trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Hendo just trying to survive but Cristobal is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Cristobal looking to hold on to the position here but Hendo rolls and ends up regaining guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cristobal trying to control but Hendo is working from the bottom.
Hendo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hendo throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Hendo keeping full guard, as Cristobal tries to pass.
Cristobal is looking to pass into half guard but Hendo pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hendo is in guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hendo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Cristobal is proving hard to escape from.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerald Hendo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hendo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerald Hendo!