PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Herring (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joao Vitor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Herring kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is I get knocked down, but I get up again!. Vitor has chosen Pregador Luo - Apaga Mas Não Bate as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Herring
vs
Vitor

192 cm
24
275 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
270 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Tri Light Clothing

Syndicate Drugs
5th Round

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frank Herring!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joao Vitor!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vitor fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Herring sprawls well initially but Vitor persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Herring keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vitor trying to control from Herring's half guard. Herring has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Vitor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Herring swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vitor is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Herring is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Herring has escaped and now he's on top!
Herring preventing the sweep.
Herring wanted to stand there but Vitor had control of the position.
Herring trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vitor is trying to control the position but Herring postures up.
Herring stopping the sweep attempt from Vitor.
Vitor is looking to stand up but Herring isn't so interested in that idea.
Herring would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Vitor feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Herring avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vitor looking to sit in guard and control but Herring gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vitor lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Herring!

Vitor swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Herring is now in Vitor's guard. A big mistake from Vitor there, giving up the dominant position!
Vitor looking for a sweep. Not yet Vitor, not yet.
Vitor is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Herring would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vitor wants to stand but Herring is controlling the position.
Vitor has a closed guard, preventing Herring from standing up.

Herring stands up from Vitor's guard - Herring perhaps looking for a knockout.
Herring throws a combination. Vitor tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Frank Herring seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Herring throws a right and a left that both miss.

Vitor shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Herring is trying to defend but Vitor finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Vitor stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vitor is keen to just control but Herring is a slippery customer.
Herring is trying to stand.
Vitor thows a huge punch but Herring dodges it nicely.
Vitor missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vitor tries to pass the half guard into mount. Herring knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Vitor is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Herring defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joao Vitor will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vitor takes one to the chin there.
Vitor avoids a punch combination nicely.
Herring misses with a two punch combination.
Herring tries to bum rush Vitor with a series of wild strikes but Vitor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Herring misses with a double jab.

Herring gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Herring wants to get back to his feet but Vitor is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Vitor throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vitor trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vitor trying to control the position from guard on top but Herring is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vitor might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Herring kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Vitor looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Vitor scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Vitor taking a break here but Herring is having none of it and regains half guard.
Vitor throws a strike but Herring avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Vitor looking to sit in guard and control but Herring gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vitor trying to control the position here.
Vitor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vitor has a closed guard, preventing Herring from standing up.
Herring stopping the sweep attempt from Vitor.
Herring wants to get up but he can't break Vitor's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Vitor closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Herring did well to prevent Vitor getting side control.
Herring is not content to let Vitor control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vitor is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Herring has managed to free his arm - good work.
Vitor is breathing heavily.
Vitor looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Herring is trying to stand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vitor with the ground and pound but Herring uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Vitor postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Herring is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Vitor, into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Vitor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A nice combination there by Herring.
Herring connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Herring looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Herring throws a hook but Vitor blocks it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vitor is defended easily by Herring.
Some wild striking there from Herring.
Herring misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herring moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Vitor closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Herring to the mat! Herring manages to get full guard.
Vitor trying to control but Herring is working from the bottom.
Joao Vitor has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vitor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vitor pushes down on Herring's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Vitor wants to free his trapped foot but Herring is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vitor wants to control but Herring is keeping him busy.
Herring looks like he's trying to stand up.

Vitor is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Herring sees it coming and defends easily.
Nice strikes from Vitor there.
Herring is staying active underneath Vitor, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Vitor landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herring pushes Vitor off looking to stand but Vitor dives back in and keeps control.
Vitor trying to control the action but Herring is working from the bottom.
Vitor trying to pass the guard but Herring defending well.

Vitor is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vitor thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Herring's head.

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.

Vitor is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Vitor throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Herring pushes Vitor off and gets back to his feet.
Herring throws a series of punches but Vitor avoids them all with ease.
Horrible takedown by Vitor or perhaps it was just good defense by Herring which made him look bad.
Herring misses with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Herring showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vitor 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Frank Herring!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Frank Herring!
Judge Suge Night scores the fight for Frank Herring!

Frank Herring wins by unanimous decision!