PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Juan Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Gotti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Fernandez might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Marea - Perro verde. The crowd seem to be enjoying Gotti's choice of entrance music: Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy . The key to victory for Juan Fernandez has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Fernandez
vs
Gotti

180 cm
20
177 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

178 cm
24
185 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

MADE IN GERMANY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Juan Fernandez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rafael Gotti!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fernandez looks to throw the jab but Gotti is out of range.
Gotti takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Fernandez scores with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fernandez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Fernandez rushes Gotti and presses him up against the cage.

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

Fernandez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Fernandez is looking to break free of the clinch but Gotti has double underhooks.
Fernandez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fernandez.
Fernandez pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gotti changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fernandez fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gotti looks gassed!
Fernandez leaves Gotti with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fernandez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fernandez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gotti circles away quickly and effectively.
Fernandez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Juan Fernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Gotti.
Fernandez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gotti sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gotti tries to keep at a distance but Fernandez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fernandez leaning against his opponent.

Gotti has hold of one of Fernandez's legs. Fernandez is fighting the takedown attempt but Gotti gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Fernandez is trying to control the position but Gotti postures up.
Fernandez seems keen to control Gotti's posture.

Gotti postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Fernandez is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gotti, into his guard.
Fernandez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Fernandez 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.
Fernandez working some strikes from top position.
Gotti not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez postures up and lands a big shot to Gotti's brow.
Gotti keeping moving, preventing Fernandez from controlling successfully.
Fernandez wants to pass the guard but Gotti is keeping the position.
Fernandez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fernandez wants to pass the guard but Gotti is keeping the position.
Fernandez works over Gotti with some ground and pound from guard.
Fernandez trying to control but Gotti is working from the bottom.
Fernandez is really struggling to control Gotti but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Gotti utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fernandez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Fernandez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez trying to control but Gotti is working from the bottom.
Gotti 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.
Fernandez tries to free his leg and advance position but Gotti is retaining full guard.
Gotti wants to sweep here but Fernandez controlling him for the moment.
Gotti manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Fernandez wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Fernandez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Gotti is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Fernandez has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Gotti working for a submission but Fernandez is keeping him at bay.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gotti wants to take Fernandez's back here but Fernandez is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Fernandez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Fernandez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Fernandez pulls guard effortlessly.

Fernandez pushes Gotti off and scrambles back to his feet.
Nice uppercut there from Fernandez.

It looks like Rafael Gotti has been cut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fernandez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
No luck for Gotti with that takedown attempt.
Fernandez tries to close the distance and clinch but Gotti swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Fernandez clinches up with Gotti and pushes him back against the cage.
Gotti can't get the takedown.
Gotti tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fernandez smiles and moves away.
Juan Fernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Gotti.
Gotti shoots and misses
letting Fernandez counter with a right hand.
Gotti is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Fernandez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fernandez controlling the action here for a moment.

Fernandez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Fernandez moves into the clinch.
Fernandez leaning against his opponent.
A frustrated look appears on Fernandez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fernandez is trying to break the clinch but Gotti has him pressed against the cage.
Fernandez can't break the clinch.
Fernandez'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.

Fernandez breaks from the clinch.
Fernandez lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fernandez scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gotti tries for a takedown but Fernandez circles away easily

and Fernandez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Fernandez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fernandez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gotti has Fernandez pressed against the cage, preventing Fernandez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Fernandez stalling against the cage.

Gotti is fighting off a takedown attempt but Fernandez is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Gotti to the mat. Gotti regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez scoring with some ground and pound.
Fernandez works over Gotti with some ground and pound from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fernandez thows a big elbow that misses.
Fernandez trying to control but Gotti is working from the bottom.
Fernandez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gotti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gotti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fernandez is one step ahead there.
Fernandez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gotti's head.
Fernandez chips away with some ground and pound.
Fernandez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gotti's head.
Fernandez trying to control but Gotti is working from the bottom.
Fernandez scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fernandez trying to control the position from guard on top but Gotti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Fernandez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gotti keeping moving, preventing Fernandez from controlling successfully.
Fernandez postures up in Gotti's guard and throws a big left but Gotti blocks it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fernandez fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gotti checks it well.
Gotti shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fernandez as he jumps to the side.
A combination from Fernandez does no damage.

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.
Fernandez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gotti at a distance.
Fernandez lands a nice hook to Gotti's body. Gotti takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Juan Fernandez is winning the standup battle so far.

Fernandez forces Gotti back against the cage and clinches.
Fernandez is trying to break free.
Gotti drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fernandez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Fernandez tries to break the clinch but Gotti is controlling the position.
Fernandez stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Fernandez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Fernandez is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fernandez wants to get back to striking at distance but Gotti won't allow it.
Fernandez is trying to break the clinch but Gotti is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandez is trying to force a seperation but Gotti has the dominant position.
Fernandez is looking to control Gotti's arms but Gotti gets an underhook and turns him. Now Fernandez has his back to the cage.
Fernandez tries to break free but Gotti pushes him back against the cage.
Fernandez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Fernandez wants to get back to striking at distance but Gotti won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Fernandez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rafael Gotti's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gotti has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Some wild striking there from Fernandez.

Fernandez takes the fight into the clinch.
Fernandez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Gotti pulls guard successfully.
Gotti keeping moving, preventing Fernandez from controlling successfully.
Fernandez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gotti on the ground.
Fernandez thows a big elbow that misses.
Gotti is trying to control the position but Fernandez postures up.
Gotti takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gotti is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fernandez defends well.
Fernandez trying to control but Gotti is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gotti tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fernandez pushes down on Gotti's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Fernandez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gotti knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Fernandez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fernandez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Fernandez working over Gotti with some ground and pound. Gotti looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fernandez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gotti knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Fernandez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Fernandez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fernandez is looking to take a break and control but Gotti is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gotti on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fernandez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gotti's head.
Gotti wants to control but Fernandez is keeping busy.
Fernandez is trying to control the action in half guard but Gotti is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gotti with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Fernandez to counter with a crisp jab.

Fernandez moves into the clinch successfully.

Fernandez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A left lands for Fernandez.
Fernandez tries to bum rush Gotti with a series of wild strikes but Gotti uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fernandez has his takedown stuffed

and Gotti counters with a single leg into guard. Fernandez didn't expect that.
Fernandez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gotti can do to turn this around?
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!
Gotti thows a big elbow that misses.
Fernandez trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotti wants to pass the guard but Fernandez is keeping the position.
Fernandez wants to sweep but no luck.

Fernandez manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Fernandez fails with a takedown attempt.

Gotti is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Fernandez's half guard.
Juan Fernandez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gotti is pressing down on Fernandez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Fernandez is holding on for now.
Fernandez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gotti.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gotti tries to pass to full mount but Fernandez defends it.
Fernandez is trying to stand back up but Gotti is controlling him

Gotti is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fernandez sees it coming and defends easily.
Fernandez is looking for a sweep. Gotti is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gotti not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fernandez wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gotti closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fernandez circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Fernandez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Gotti is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Fernandez clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Rafael Gotti's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fernandez scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gotti doesn't seem bothered though.

Gotti tries to keep at a distance but Fernandez has taken the fight into the clinch.

Fernandez breaks from the clinch.
Juan Fernandez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gotti is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Fernandez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fernandez stops a takedown attempt from Gotti.
A hook to the body from Fernandez.

Fernandez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fernandez lands a really nice looking cross but Gotti seems unphased.
Fernandez has his takedown stuffed

and Gotti counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Fernandez's guard now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fernandez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fernandez wants to stand up but Gotti is controlling him.
Fernandez looking to control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gotti is fighting to break Fernandez's control of his arms but Fernandez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Fernandez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gotti is controlling him.

Gotti stands and steps away. Fernandez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Fernandez tries for a takedown but Gotti sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A swing and a miss from Fernandez.

Gotti bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Gotti is trying to get an arm triangle but Fernandez is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gotti thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Gotti tries for a kimura but Fernandez is defending well.
Fernandez is looking for a sweep.

Gotti is trying to get an arm triangle but Fernandez is defending well.
Fernandez holds on to Gotti's head and controls the position momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gotti tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gotti has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Fernandez gets back to half guard.
Fernandez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gotti is looking to advance position but Fernandez won't allow it.
Gotti working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Fernandez's thigh. Fernandez counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Gotti looking to pass the guard.
Fernandez is pulling down on Gotti's head to control his posture.
Gotti stops Fernandez from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Juan Fernandez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rafael Gotti's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Gotti swats away the attempt to clinch by Fernandez.

Gotti feints and as Fernandez raises his hands in defense, Gotti changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gotti postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gotti looking to pass the guard.

Fernandez pushes Gotti off and gets back to his feet.

Gotti tries to keep at a distance but Fernandez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Fernandez.
Gotti tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fernandez smiles and moves away.
Fernandez stuffs the takedown attempt from Gotti. Gotti gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez misses with a low kick.
Gotti is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Fernandez moves in looking to clinch but Gotti pushes him off.
A right-left combo lands from Fernandez.

Fernandez clinches up against the cage.
Fernandez looking for a takedown.
Fernandez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Fernandez working hard to break the clinch.

Fernandez has hold of one of Gotti's legs. Gotti is fighting the takedown attempt but Fernandez gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Fernandez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fernandez stopping the sweep attempt from Gotti.
Gotti keeping moving, preventing Fernandez from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gotti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fernandez is one step ahead there.
Fernandez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Fernandez preventing the sweep.
Fernandez stands up over Gotti, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Fernandez wants to control from the top but Gotti keeps moving.
Fernandez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Fernandez scoring with punches from side control.
Juan Fernandez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez trying to control the action but Gotti is working from the bottom.
Gotti is trying to get back to half guard.
Fernandez working away.
Fernandez trying to control the action but Gotti is working from the bottom.
Fernandez takes a little break here. Gotti wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

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.
Fernandez lands some shots froms side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fernandez lands with a shot to the body.
Fernandez pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gotti is out of range and Fernandez settles back down.

Fernandez instigates a clinch.
Gotti drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fernandez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Juan Fernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Gotti.
Fernandez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gotti pulls his leg out and moves away.
Fernandez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rafael Gotti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fernandez's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Fernandez duly obliges.
Fernandez cracks Gotti with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Fernandez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fernandez 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 50:44
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 50:44
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Fernandez!
Juan Fernandez is the new middleweight champion!