PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jose Hernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robbie Ray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hernandez comes to the cage accompanied by Spain's National Anthem. Robbie Ray told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hernandez
vs
Ray

185 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
175 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Jose Hernandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Robbie Ray!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Phil Schofield and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hernandez scores with the left hand. Ray knows he should have avoided that one.
No luck for Ray with that takedown attempt.
Ray takes one to the side of the head.
Ray's coach down at Cozad MMA London was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ray's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Ray clinches up with Hernandez and pushes him back against the cage.
Hernandez pushes Ray back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ray blocking some punches.
A bit of stalling here from Hernandez.
Hernandez is looking for a takedown.
Hernandez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Hernandez manages to break the clinch.
Ray shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ray wants to clinch up but Hernandez keeps it at a distance.
Hernandez looks to land a right hand but Ray moved out of range.
Ray on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ray tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hernandez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hernandez lands with a right hand.
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!
Hernandez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ray.
Ray blocks a jab.
Ray unleashes a big counter combination but Hernandez bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hernandez dips to his left and cracks Ray with an uppercut!

Hernandez gets a double leg takedown into Ray's guard.

Ray has his feet on Hernandez's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Ray closes the distance and clinches.
Ray goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hernandez prevents it.
Jose Hernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robbie Ray.

Hernandez breaks from the clinch.

Ray clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hernandez has Ray pressed against the cage, preventing Ray from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hernandez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ray's elbow.
Ray lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ray prevents a body shot from Hernandez.
Hernandez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ray blocks a body shot from Hernandez.
Hernandez misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ray prevents a body shot from Hernandez.

Hernandez breaks from the clinch.
Hernandez misses with a right hand
and Ray counters with a right hand to the body.
Hernandez is breathing heavily.
Hernandez listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hernandez missing with a left hand there. Ray was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ray shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hernandez but Hernandez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hernandez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ray just misses with a punch to the body.

Ray closes the distance and clinches.
Ray has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hernandez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hernandez looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Hernandez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Hernandez misses.
Hernandez misses with a looping right.
Ray tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hernandez lands a nice shot that snaps Ray's head back.
Ray doesn't manage to clinch there - Hernandez circles away.
Jose Hernandez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ray fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hernandez, pushing him back against the cage.
Ray wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hernandez creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hernandez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hernandez stops a takedown attempt from Ray.
Hernandez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Ray breaks the clinch.
Hernandez lands with a cross.
Ray tries to clinch there but Hernandez circles away.

Ray closes the distance and pushes Hernandez back into the cage.
Ray is trying to break the clinch but Hernandez has him pressed against the cage.
Hernandez throws a punch but it's blocked by Ray.
Hernandez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ray's elbow.

Hernandez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hernandez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ray swinging wildly here.
Hernandez is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hernandez bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ray's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ray staying out of range there.
Hernandez throws a lazy right hand but Ray sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ray displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hernandez throws out the jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hernandez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hernandez throws a hook to the side of Ray's head but Ray sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hernandez throws a looping overhand right but Ray ducks down to avoid it.
Ray tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ray fails to land with a series of punches.
Ray fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice uppercut lands for Hernandez. That snapped Ray's head back.
Nice jab there from Hernandez.
Ray takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ray looks for a takedown but Hernandez sprawls well.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ray shoots in for a takedown but Hernandez shows good takedown defense.
Ray staying out of range there.
Hernandez is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

Ray gets a clinch.
Hernandez tries a body shot but Ray blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ray tries to clinch up but Hernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Ray connects with the punch.
Hernandez scores with a jab.
Ray gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ray shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hernandez as he avoids it easily.
Hernandez misses with a wild body shot.
Ray looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hernandez keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hernandez shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ray eats them both and turns towards Hernandez to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ray slips a straight right by Hernandez.
Ray ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ray looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Robbie Ray is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hernandez throws a lazy uppercut
and Ray connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ray uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hernandez.

Ray pushes Hernandez up against the cage in a clinch.
Hernandez's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hernandez is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hernandez blocking some punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray tries to circle away but Hernandez has him pinned against the cage.
Hernandez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ray avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hernandez tries to work over Ray's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ray blocks an uppercut.
Hernandez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hernandez throws a punch but it's blocked by Ray.
Ray blocks an uppercut.
Hernandez looking to slow down the pace here.
Ray blocking some punches.
Hernandez will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ray up against the cage.
Hernandez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hernandez swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ray gets control of Hernandez's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ray will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ray trying to strike off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Ray manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Hernandez fails to land.
Hernandez working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ray tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hernandez smiles and moves away.
Hernandez throws a lazy right hand but Ray sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ray is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hernandez with a body shot.
Hernandez throws a hook but Ray blocks it.
Nice sprawl there from Hernandez as Ray shoots in.
Jose Hernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robbie Ray.

Ray darts in and clinches Hernandez up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hernandez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Hernandez breaks from the clinch.
Ray tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hernandez connects with a single shot there.

Ray moves into the clinch.
Ray tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hernandez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hernandez misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez gets underhooks to prevent Ray's takedown attempt.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ray.
Hernandez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hernandez throws a punch but it's blocked by Ray.
Hernandez misses with a hook to the ribs.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ray drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hernandez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hernandez misses with a straight left.
Ray tries to clinch up but Hernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
A big left from Hernandez misses.
Ray wants to clinch.
Hernandez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ray can do to turn this around?
Ray is looking to clinch but Hernandez is avoiding it.
Hernandez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ray is fending him off so far but Hernandez persists. Nope, Ray circles away and we're back to standing.
Ray feints the counter takedown.
Ray slips under a jab from Hernandez.
Ray shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hernandez sprawls well. Hernandez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ray gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez loads up on a big right hand but Ray slips the punch.
Jose Hernandez is winning the standup battle so far.
Ray ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ray slips a straight right by Hernandez.
Ray slips a jab from Hernandez.

Ray clinches up with Hernandez and pushes him back against the cage.
Hernandez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ray is keeping busy.
Hernandez tries a body shot but Ray blocks it.
Ray keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hernandez's efforts to push away.
Ray scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ray lands a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A frustrated look appears on Hernandez's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Ray jumps guard and drags Hernandez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Hernandez dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ray has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Hernandez.
Ray has Hernandez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hernandez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ray will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hernandez up against the cage.
Ray wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Hernandez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ray moves out of range as Hernandez strikes.

Ray pushes Hernandez up against the cage in a clinch.
Hernandez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rays head.
Hernandez cracks Ray with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hernandez gets underhooks to prevent Ray's takedown attempt.
Hernandez tries to throw a body punch but Ray avoids it by throwing Hernandez back against the cage.
Hernandez misses with a body punch.
A right hand to the body from Hernandez.

Hernandez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez swings widly with a right hand
and Ray counters with a straight right hand.
Hernandez throws a hook to the side of Ray's head but Ray sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ray tries to clinch up but Hernandez circles away and keeps his distance.
Hernandez throws a series of punches but Ray avoids them all with ease.
Nice sprawl there from Hernandez as Ray shoots in.
Jose Hernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robbie Ray.
Nice uppercut there from Hernandez.
Hernandez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ray will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hernandez is looking to counter punch.
Jab, jab by Hernandez - just one landing.
Hernandez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ray rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hernandez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ray tries to clinch but Hernandez moves out of range.
Ray uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hernandez.
Ray moves in looking to clinch but Hernandez pushes him off.
Hernandez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ray is defended easily by Hernandez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hernandez, as that shot connected.
Ray has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hernandez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ray tries to close the distance and clinch but Hernandez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hernandez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ray sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ray tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hernandez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hernandez scores with a decent looking hook.
Hernandez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ray shoots in looking for a takedown but Hernandez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ray's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hernandez misses with a straight right.
Hernandez thuds his right hand into Ray's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hernandez scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hernandez lands with an uppercut that bounces Ray off the cage and back into range.
Ray shoots for a takedown but Hernandez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hernandez lands a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ray on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ray uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hernandez.
Ray staying out of range there.
Hernandez throws a lazy right hand but Ray sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hernandez misses with an uppercut
and Ray counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ray getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hernandez keeps the fight on the outside.
Ray fails with the takedown.
Hernandez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ray on the side of the head.
Hernandez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Ray drives through and clinches with Hernandez against the cage.
Hernandez blocks a body shot from Ray.
Hernandez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hernandez stops a takedown attempt from Ray.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hernandez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Robbie Ray has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ray wants to clinch.
Hernandez throws the left hand but Ray avoids the punch easily.
Ray wants to clinch.
Hernandez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
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!
Hernandez keeps the fight on the outside.
Ray slips under a jab.
Hernandez connects with a body shot that sends Ray's belly button to the back.

Ray rushes Hernandez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hernandez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ray's elbow.
Hernandez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ray tries to circle away but Hernandez has him pinned against the cage.
Jose Hernandez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hernandez prevents a body shot from Ray.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Hernandez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hernandez, 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Hernandez!
Jose Hernandez was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.