PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Braxton Hernando (ranked 5985 p4p, 372 weight class) and Albert Ricci (ranked 17465 p4p, 422 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hernando
vs
Ricci

175 cm
27
144 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

172 cm
31
140 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Braxton Hernando!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Albert Ricci!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hernando thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ricci fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hernando throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Ricci to counter with a crisp jab.
Ricci throws a hook but Hernando avoids it easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hernando.
Ricci scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hernando pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hernando throws a lazy right hand but Ricci sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hernando misses the shot to the body.
Ricci throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ricci fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hernando looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ricci.
Hernando digs a good hook to Ricci's body.
A clash of legs there as Ricci blocks the low kick.
Hernando slips a jab from Ricci.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An inside leg kick lands from Ricci.
Hernando misses with a right hand
and Ricci counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Braxton Hernando seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ricci has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Ricci slips a jab from Hernando.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ricci! But no joy.
Hernando looks to throw the jab but Ricci is out of range.
Ricci throws out a leg kick but Hernando moves out of range and Ricci only half commits.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricci throws a shot to the body.
Ricci takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ricci uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hernando.
Hernando slips under a jab.
Ricci blocks a low kick nicely.
Hernando moves out of range as Ricci throws a body kick.
Ricci connects with a nice looking jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Hernando as he connects with a hook.
Hernando uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ricci.
Hernando defending well as Ricci loads up on a big left hand.
A slow jab from Hernando misses its intended target.
Ricci connects with a leg kick. Hernando looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hernando throws a looping overhand right but Ricci ducks down to avoid it.
A big right from Hernando misses.
Hernando misses with a hook. Ricci ducked under it nicely.
Ricci ducks under a wild hook from Hernando.
Ricci throws a hook but Hernando avoids it easily.
Ricci walks into a left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hernando gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ricci lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hernando backwards.
Our sources have told us that Hernando has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernando lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Hernando.
Hernando misses with some punches.
Ricci cracks Hernando with a nice body shot.
Hernando swings wildly with an uppercut but Ricci uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right hook to the body lands for Hernando.
Hernando misses with some punches.
Ricci has a couple of punches blocked by Hernando.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ricci.
Ricci lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hernando backwards.
Ricci scores with a shoulder strike.
Hernando swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ricci blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ricci scores with a shoulder strike.
Hernando misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hernando working aggressively here.
Ricci blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ricci misses with a punch on the inside.
Hernando has a couple of punches blocked by Ricci.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Hernando scores with a nice short uppercut.

Ricci manages to break the clinch.
Hernando tests Ricci's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ricci looks to land a left hand but Hernando moved out of range nicely.
Hernando connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hernando slips under a jab from Ricci.
Ricci dips to his left and cracks Hernando with an uppercut!
Ricci ducks under a wild hook from Hernando.
Hernando throws a looping overhand right but Ricci ducks down to avoid it.
Ricci throws a body punch but Hernando moves out of range.
Hernando fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricci manages to avoid it.
Hernando throws out a loose jab but Ricci uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ricci lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hernando with a nice cross.

Hernando pushes Ricci up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ricci breaks the clinch.
Ricci has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Hernando lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ricci's sensitive parts.
Hernando tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Hernando takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Hernando throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ricci looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hernando throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Hernando throws a leg kick but Ricci sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ricci throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hernando stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ricci takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ricci slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hernando looks to land a left hand but Ricci moved out of range nicely.
Nice uppercut lands for Hernando. That snapped Ricci's head back.
A solid body kick from Ricci.
Hernando thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hernando uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ricci has time to react.
Hernando misses with a looping right.
Ricci lands a leg kick that knocks Hernando off balance momentarily.
Ricci takes a swing at Hernando's ribcage but misses.
Ricci keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hernando.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ricci throws a jab when Hernando was well out of range.
A jab from Hernando misses.
Ricci lands a jab to the head.
Hernando throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ricci sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hernando scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
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 Braxton Hernando will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hernando tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ricci is able to avoid easily.
Ricci scores with a shot to the body.
Ricci scores with a body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ricci.
Hernando takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hernando pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ricci is out of range and Hernando settles back down.
Hernando misses with a right hand
and Ricci counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hernando uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ricci.
Hernando scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ricci in his tracks.
Hernando uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ricci.
Ricci misses with a low kick.
Hernando avoids the body shot from Ricci.
Hernando moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ricci. Hernando does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hernando sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ricci jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ricci blocks a jab.
Nice defenses there by Ricci.
Hernando fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hernando throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricci throws a shot to the body.
Ricci wants to land a leg kick but Hernando is out of range.
Ricci lands a jab to Hernando's midsection.
A slow jab from Hernando misses its intended target.
Ricci now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Hernando swings away with a leg kick that misses.
The fighters circling - Hernando throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ricci avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hernando avoids the body shot from Ricci.
Nice defenses there by Hernando.
Ricci closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A big left from Hernando misses.
Ricci with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hernando throws a lazy uppercut
and Ricci counters with a nice uppercut.
Albert Ricci seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hernando throws a leg kick
and Ricci connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ricci ducks under a wild hook from Hernando.
Ricci defending well as Hernando loads up on a big left hand.
Ricci takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hernando misses with a lunging right hand
and Ricci counters with a nice body kick.
Hernando keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ricci.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricci scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A telegraphed right hand from Hernando misses the target.
Ricci throws a jab but it's blocked by Hernando.
Ricci misses with a two punch combination.
Hernando drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hernando moves to clinch but Ricci breaks away
and Ricci connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ricci fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hernando manages to avoid it.
Ricci looks to land a combination. Hernando sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Hernando wants to slow Ricci down by chopping away at his legs.
A little jabbing left from Ricci on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ricci jabs at Hernando's body.
Ricci wants to land a leg kick but Hernando is out of range.
Hernando loads up on a big right hand but Ricci slips the punch.
Ricci takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ricci slips under a jab from Hernando.
Ricci counters with a body kick.
Nice defenses there by Ricci.
Ricci lands a body shot.
Hernando with a nice cross.
Hernando displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ricci throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernando swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ricci drops his hands momentarily and Hernando takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ricci swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hernando walks into a left hand.
Ricci pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hernando ducks under a wild hook from Ricci.
Ricci scores with a punch to the head.
Hernando throws a lazy uppercut
and Ricci counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hernando throws a sloppy body shot
and Ricci connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ricci misses with an uppercut.
Hernando fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ricci looks to score with a jab to the body but Hernando is just out of range.
Ricci lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hernando at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Hernando.
Hernando misses with a low kick.
Hernando throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ricci uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hernando.
Hernando throws a hook but Ricci blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An inside leg kick lands from Ricci.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernando throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ricci counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ricci staying out of range there.
Hernando scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hernando looks to throw the jab but Ricci is out of range.
Hernando throws a lazy right hand but Ricci sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ricci ducks under a wild hook from Hernando.
Ricci steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ricci. Hernando shrugs it off though.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hernando darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ricci misses with a straight left.
A big left from Ricci misses.
Ricci looks to land a right hand but Hernando moved out of range.
Ricci moves away from the strike by Hernando.
Hernando throws a low kick but Ricci avoids it.
Ricci lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ricci lands a front kick.
Hernando moves forwards but Ricci connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ricci dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hernando swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ricci.
Hernando misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Ricci showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ricci blocks a jab.
Hernando misses with a looping left.
Hernando lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A leg kick checked by Hernando.
Hernando throwing a counter right hand but Ricci manages to avoid it.
Ricci thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hernando if he has to take too many more of those.
Hernando swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ricci lands with a nice body punch.
Hernando throws a shot from downtown. Ricci moves away and avoids it.
Ricci misses with a body shot.
Ricci thumps Hernando with a low kick.
Hernando throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ricci cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hernando motions for Ricci to come forward. Hernando throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hernando on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A leg kick checked by Ricci.
Despite the aggression on Ricci's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Ricci connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ricci displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hernando throws out the jab.
Ricci misses with a looping left.
Some wild striking there from Hernando.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricci slips a jab from Hernando.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ricci! But no joy.
Ricci sizes up Hernando with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ricci throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hernando throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ricci counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hernando tries to land a leg kick but Ricci saw it coming and moves away.
Hernando misses with a hook.
Ricci thows a body kick. Hernando tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Ricci misses with a body shot.
Hernando throwing a counter right hand but Ricci manages to avoid it.
Hernando throws a big shot that misses.
Hernando attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hernando throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ricci sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hernando lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ricci circles away quickly and effectively.
Hernando takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ricci bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ricci fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ricci scoring well with a low kick there.
Hernando checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hernando appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ricci lands with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Decent striking displayed by Ricci there.
Hernando looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ricci slips under a jab.
Ricci uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hernando.
Hernando will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Hernando misses with the combination.
Ricci keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hernando.
Ricci displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hernando throws out the jab.
Hernando jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hernando ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ricci moves away.
Hernando slips a jab and a cross from Ricci.
Hernando lands a glancing blow to the side of Ricci's head.
Hernando on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hernando throws a shot from downtown. Ricci moves away and avoids it.
Hernando misses the jab.
Ricci only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Hernando bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ricci's head backwards.
Hernando throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ricci counters with a straight right hand.
Hernando connects with a solid leg kick.
Hernando misses with an uppercut
and Ricci counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice body punch from Ricci.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricci has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hernando.
Hernando throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hernando misses the jab.
Hernando jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hernando throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ricci sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hernando misses with an uppercut. Ricci saw that one coming.
Hernando ducks right into an uppercut from Ricci.
Hernando scores with a hook.
Nice jab there from Ricci.
Hernando misses with a hook
enabling Ricci to counter with a crisp jab.
Ricci steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hernando.
Hernando keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ricci.
Ricci staying out of range there.
A jab from Ricci does it's job there.
Ricci misses with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ricci throws a good cross that connects.
Hernando loads up on a big right hand but Ricci slips the punch.
Hernando backing away here, and Ricci unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Nice defenses there by Ricci.
Ricci steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hernando.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernando throws a hook to the side of Ricci's head but Ricci sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ricci misses with a hook.
Ricci needs to keep his hands up - Hernando had a free shot at his head there.
Ricci misses with a kick to the body.
Ricci is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hernando scores with a nice strike.
Ricci staying out of range there.
Hernando fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricci manages to avoid it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ricci.
Ricci misses with an uppercut.
Hernando wants to clinch up but Ricci keeps it at a distance.
Hernando throws a lazy right hand but Ricci sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hernando bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hernando lands with an overhand left.
Hernando takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hernando avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ricci is looking to land body kicks.
Ricci uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hernando.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Albert Ricci.
I think Ricci 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Albert Ricci!
Albert Ricci spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.