HBGG 25 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jui Jits (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandre Riberio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexandre Riberio will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Jits
vs
Riberio

176 cm
26
179 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
24
180 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

KAISER
The Dark Side

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jui Jits!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexandre Riberio!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Glass and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riberio shoots and misses

and Jits counters with a shoot takedown. Riberio fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Jits pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Riberio is keeping the position for now.
Jits trying to control the position from guard on top but Riberio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Riberio keeping full guard, as Jits tries to pass.

Riberio is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Jits frees his head nicely. Oh but Riberio has switched to an armbar! Jits is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Alexandre Riberio!
A relieved looking Alexandre Riberio thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
53%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sam Nujoma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miguel Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nujoma might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to King Fantastic - Why? Where? What?. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Nujoma
vs
Santiago

178 cm
18
158 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
168 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sam Nujoma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Miguel Santiago!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santiago closes the distance and clinches up with Nujoma, looking for a takedown. Santiago pushes Nujoma against the ropes but Nujoma circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Nujoma fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Santiago to the ground. Nujoma is now in Santiago's guard.
Nujoma trying to control but Santiago is working from the bottom.

Santiago is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Nujoma passes Santiago's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Santiago actively working from the bottom here.

Nujoma is working for a kimura but Santiago is defending it quite comfortably.
Santiago wants to get back to full guard.
Nujoma wants to control but Santiago is keeping him busy.
Nujoma content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Santiago is trying to get back to full guard.
Santiago has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santiago looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Santiago looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Nujoma is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nujoma works his way into side control.
Santiago looks to move to half guard but instead Nujoma has passed into mount! Damn!
Nujoma with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nujoma tries to control but Santiago wriggling away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Santiago tries to hold on but Nujoma pushes him away.
Santiago tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nujoma can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Santiago is looking to escape.
Nujoma is really struggling to control Santiago but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Santiago reaches up to try and control the position but Nujoma seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Santiago rolls and tries to escape and now Nujoma has his back!

Nujoma has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Santiago has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Nujoma has his arm under Santiago's chin here. Game over son! Nujoma squeezes tightly and Santiago is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Sam Nujoma!
Sam Nujoma decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
43%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eduardo Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fred Vogel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Eduardo Alvarez has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Alvarez
vs
Vogel

176 cm
27
145 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

165 cm
23
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

KAISER
Sex Panther! SALE 160q recovery $99

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Eduardo Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fred Vogel!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Alvarez fails with the takedown

and Vogel counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Alvarez's guard now.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Vogel wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Vogel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alvarez is keeping the position for now.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vogel looking for a guillotine here but Alvarez defends easily.
Alvarez wants to control from the top but Vogel keeps moving.
Alvarez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Vogel has control of Alvarez's left arm, preventing Alvarez from doing any damage.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vogel controls Alvarez momentarily but Alvarez frees himself.
Alvarez pushes down on Vogel's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Vogel has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Damage . Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Alvarez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Vogel won't allow Alvarez to pass to mount.

Vogel is defending against the submission attempts here by Alvarez.

Alvarez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vogel doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Alvarez.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vogel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Vogel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez trying to control but Vogel is working from the bottom.
Vogel is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vogel manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Vogel avoids the attempt from Alvarez to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is looking to get to half guard.

Vogel looking to secure an arm triangle but Alvarez defends it well.
Vogel controlling from mount.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Vogel tightening his grip on Alvarez, looking for the choke.
Alvarez trying to control the hands but Vogel breaks the grip.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Alvarez's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Vogel is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Alvarez defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Vogel wants to control but Alvarez is keeping busy.

Vogel is looking for the choke from the back position but Alvarez is controlling his hands well.
Vogel is controlling the position but Alvarez somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Vogel trying to control the action but Alvarez is working from the bottom.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Vogel is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Vogel is looking to take a break and control but Alvarez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Alvarez is trying to get back to full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Vogel wants to take a breather but Alvarez is having none of it.
Alvarez trying to control from the bottom.
Vogel is looking to advance position but Alvarez won't allow it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Fred Vogel hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Alvarez with a poor takedown

and Vogel decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Alvarez's guard.
Alvarez seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Alvarez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vogel can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Alvarez has his foot on Vogel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vogel works his way back into a safe position though.
Vogel looking to sit in guard and control but Alvarez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Vogel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Alvarez is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fred Vogel dominated that round.
That's time! Alvarez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Alvarez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alvarez fails with the takedown

and Vogel counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Alvarez!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Let's hope that Vogel has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Fred Vogel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vogel working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vogel looking to control but instead Alvarez has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Alvarez controlling the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Fred Vogel.
Alvarez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vogel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Alvarez somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eduardo Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vogel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vogel wants it to stay on the feet.
Vogel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Alvarez misses with a takedown

so Vogel counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vogel's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Vogel tries to free his leg and advance position but Alvarez is retaining full guard.
Alvarez controls Vogel momentarily but Vogel frees himself.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Vogel from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Fred Vogel.
Alvarez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vogel tries to avoid it but Alvarez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vogel to the ground. Vogel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez shoots in looking for a takedown but Vogel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Alvarez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Alvarez fails with the takedown.
Horrible takedown by Alvarez or perhaps it was just good defense by Vogel which made him look bad.
Alvarez with a lazy takedown attempt

and Vogel counters with a shoot takedown. Alvarez fights it but they end up in guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Vogel from controlling successfully.
Alvarez keeping full guard, as Vogel tries to pass.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Vogel drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Alvarez dives on top into guard.

Vogel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Alvarez defends it easily.

Alvarez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Vogel keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
Vogel is pulling down on Alvarez's head. It's preventing any offense from Alvarez, at least for the moment.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Vogel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alvarez defends well.
Vogel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Alvarez wants to control from the top but Vogel keeps moving.
Vogel wants to control the position but Alvarez says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez trying to control from half guard but Vogel is working away.

Vogel is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Alvarez has latched onto it... Big trouble! Alvarez pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Vogel is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Alvarez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Eduardo Alvarez!
A relieved looking Eduardo Alvarez thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
27%

Main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksey Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlton Kerhley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Ivanov
vs
Kerhley

180 cm
35
185 lbs
29 - 14 - 1

175 cm
26
168 lbs
15 - 7 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER
Sex Panther! SALE 160q recovery $99

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Aleksey Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Carlton Kerhley!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov shoots in looking for a takedown. Kerhley tries to sprawl out of it but Ivanov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Kerhley manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ivanov tries for a takedown but Kerhley sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ivanov has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksey Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kerhley misses with a takedown

and Ivanov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Ivanov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kerhley doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ivanov.

Kerhley looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kerhley trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerhley is looking for a sweep. Ivanov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ivanov is looking to take a break and control but Kerhley is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Ivanov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kerhley tries to get to full guard but Ivanov has control of the leg.

Kerhley looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kerhley trying to hold on to Ivanov's head to control him but Ivanov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerhley is trying to get back to full guard.
Ivanov wants to pass to mount but Kerhley is defending the position.
Ivanov trying to control from half guard but Kerhley is working away.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Ivanov wants to pass to mount but Kerhley is defending the position.
Ivanov is working hard here to advance position.
Kerhley trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kerhley looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kerhley is pressing down on Ivanov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ivanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kerhley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ivanov preventing the sweep.
Kerhley trying to keep a closed guard but Ivanov is proving a slippery customer.

Kerhley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ivanov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ivanov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kerhley looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ivanov passes into side control.
Ivanov is looking to take a break and control but Kerhley is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kerhley sneaks back into half guard.
Kerhley wants to control but Ivanov is keeping busy.

Kerhley looking for a kimura from the bottom but Ivanov passes into side control!

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kerhley tries to improve position but can't.

Ivanov has hold of Kerhley's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Kerhley seems comfortable defending it but Ivanov has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Kerhley is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Kerhley is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Ivanov couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Aleksey Ivanov!
After winning the bout, Aleksey Ivanov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.