PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alex Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derrick Herdsman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Herdsman has chosen Country Boy Can Survive as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ramirez
vs
Herdsman

180 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alex Ramirez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Derrick Herdsman!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Leandro Rodrigues and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ramirez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Ramirez drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ramirez scoring with some ground and pound.
Ramirez trying to control the position from guard on top but Herdsman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Herdsman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Herdsman is looking for a triangle but Ramirez pushes his legs off easily.
Ramirez stopping the sweep attempt from Herdsman.
Ramirez wants to get up but he can't break Herdsman's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Herdsman trying to keep a closed guard but Ramirez is proving a slippery customer.
Ramirez trying to control the position from guard on top but Herdsman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ramirez has Herdsman up against the cage in a clinch.
Ramirez lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Herdsman trying to land knees to the body.
Ramirez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ramirez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Herdsman has him pressed against the cage.
Ramirez has had enough of the clinch but Herdsman keeps him there for the moment.
Ramirez lands a body shot.

Herdsman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ramirez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Herdsman is pulling down on Ramirez's head. It's preventing any offense from Ramirez, at least for the moment.
Ramirez stands and throws Herdsman's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Herdsman tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ramirez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Ramirez decides to stand back up.

Herdsman has closed the distance and engaged Ramirez in a clinch.
Ramirez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Herdsman fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ramirez is breathing heavily.

Herdsman feints and as Ramirez raises his hands in defense, Herdsman changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Herdsman stands up from Ramirez's guard - Herdsman perhaps looking for a knockout.
Herdsman throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Herdsman looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ramirez missing with punches from the bottom.
Herdsman works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ramirez is looking to get to half guard.
Ramirez is working hard here to advance position.
Ramirez wants to hold on but Herdsman pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Ramirez manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Ramirez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ramirez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ramirez looks like he's trying to stand up.
Herdsman trying to mount his opponent but Ramirez defends it.
Ramirez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Herdsman's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Herdsman's back!
Ramirez is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Herdsman. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Ramirez lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Ramirez has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Herdsman.
Ramirez is landing with strikes from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Ramirez is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Ramirez gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Ramirez gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Ramirez apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Herdsman misses with a takedown
and Ramirez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Ramirez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Herdsman moves into full guard.
Ramirez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Herdsman is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Ramirez stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ramirez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ramirez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Herdsman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ramirez lands a two punch combo.

Ramirez clinches with his opponent.
Herdsman tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ramirez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ramirez scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ramirez wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Ramirez dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Herdsman scores with a takedown into Ramirez's guard.
Herdsman chips away with some ground and pound.
Ramirez looking to control.
Herdsman works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ramirez trying to control but Herdsman postures up.
Ramirez is looking to improve his position.
Herdsman trying to control from half guard but Ramirez is working away.
Ramirez trying to hold on to Herdsman's head to control him but Herdsman postures up.
Ramirez is looking to improve his position.
Ramirez preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Herdsman stands up out of the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez shoots for a takedown but Herdsman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ramirez tries to clinch up

and Herdsman counters with a shoot takedown. Ramirez fights it but they end up in guard.
Herdsman content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Ramirez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Herdsman trying to control but Ramirez is working from the bottom.
Herdsman postures up in Ramirez's guard and throws a big left but Ramirez blocks it.
Ramirez is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ramirez keeping full guard, as Herdsman tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herdsman trying to control the position from guard on top but Ramirez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Herdsman stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nice takedown defense from Ramirez. No joy for Herdsman on that attempt.

Ramirez clinches up with Herdsman and pushes him back against the cage.
Ramirez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Herdsman looking to stall.
Herdsman tries to pull guard but Ramirez won't allow it.
Ramirez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Herdsmans head.
Ramirez lands with a short shot to the head.
Ramirez stalls.
Herdsman has Ramirez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ramirez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Alex Ramirez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Derrick Herdsman.
Ramirez goes for a takedown attempt but Herdsman pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ramirez falls off balance throwing a combination

and Herdsman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Herdsman stops Ramirez from getting back to his feet.
Herdsman prevents Ramirez from improving his position.
Ramirez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ramirez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Herdsman is one step ahead there.
Herdsman trying to control but Ramirez is working from the bottom.
Ramirez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ramirez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ramirez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Herdsman's guard.
Herdsman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ramirez's guard.

Herdsman gets to his feet - Ramirez follows without any prompting.
Herdsman misses with a takedown attempt - Ramirez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alex Ramirez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ramirez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Herdsman swivels and escapes.
Ramirez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Herdsman swivels and escapes.
Herdsman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez fails with the takedown

and Herdsman counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ramirez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Herdsmans head.
Ramirez is trying to break free.
Ramirez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ramirez wants a takedown.
Herdsman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ramirez prevents a takedown attempt there.

Ramirez works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ramirez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Ramirez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Herdsman is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Herdsman has escaped and now he's on top!
Herdsman works over Ramirez with some ground and pound from guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ramirez is trying to control the position but Herdsman postures up.

Herdsman postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ramirez is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Herdsman, into his guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Herdsman controls Ramirez momentarily but Ramirez frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Herdsman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Ramirez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ramirez doesn't manage to clinch there - Herdsman circles away.
Herdsman throws a head kick that misses.
Herdsman tries for a takedown but Ramirez circles away easily

and Ramirez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ramirez.
Ramirez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Herdsman drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ramirez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Herdsman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Herdsman tries for a takedown. No joy.
Alex Ramirez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Derrick Herdsman.
A body shot lands from Ramirez.

Ramirez pulls guard.
Herdsman wants to control from the top but Ramirez keeps moving.
Herdsman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ramirez is keeping the position for now.

Ramirez pushes Herdsman off and scrambles back to his feet.

Ramirez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ramirez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Herdsman, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herdsman is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Herdsman wants to control but Ramirez is keeping busy.
Herdsman is trying to stand back up but Ramirez is controlling him
Herdsman is pressing down on Ramirez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ramirez wants to pass the guard but Herdsman is keeping the position.

Ramirez stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ramirez misses with a takedown
and Herdsman counters with a one-two to the body.
Ramirez misses with a takedown
and Herdsman counters with an inside leg kick.
Herdsman looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ramirez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez tries to clinch up but Herdsman circles away and keeps his distance.
Ramirez fails with the takedown.

Herdsman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ramirez, pushing him back against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Ramirez.
Herdsman prevents Ramirez from breaking the clinch.
Herdsman tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ramirez smiles and moves away.

Ramirez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ramirez is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Herdsman trying to hold on to Ramirez's head to control him but Ramirez postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Herdsman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ramirez throwing strikes but missing.
Ramirez won't allow Herdsman to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez stands up over Herdsman, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Herdsman looking to control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Herdsman is on top in guard.
Ramirez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alex Ramirez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ramirez throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Ramirez wants to control the position but Herdsman says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ramirez is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Herdsman trying to control from half guard but Ramirez is working away.
Ramirez trying to control but Herdsman postures up.
Herdsman wants to control but Ramirez is keeping him busy.

Ramirez kicks Herdsman off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herdsman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Ramirez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Herdsman is pressed up against the cage. Ramirez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Herdsman down to the mat. Herdsman avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ramirez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Herdsman counters with a takedown into side control.
Ramirez taking punishment in the form of punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ramirez is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Herdsman off and has taken his back!

Ramirez looking for the RNC.
Herdsman tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Herdsman gets back to half guard.
Herdsman is pressing down on Ramirez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ramirez wants to control from the top but Herdsman keeps moving.
Ramirez slips nicely into half guard.
Ramirez lands with a punch from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alex Ramirez.
I think Ramirez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Ramirez!