PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Sherman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dino Adams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Adams's choice of entrance music: Rush - Limelight. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Sherman
vs
Adams

185 cm
23
217 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

210 cm
28
220 lbs
11 - 8 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Sherman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dino Adams!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Luis Engracia and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sherman gets a clinch.
Sherman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Adams's defenses.
Adams takes a shot to the head.

It looks like Dino Adams has been cut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Sherman lands an elbow inside that Adams shrugs off.
The referee calls for Sherman to work.
Sherman tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A knee to the head by Sherman.
Sherman lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sherman pushes Adams back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sherman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Adams is rocked!
Sherman lands an elbow just above Adams 's eye.
Adams is still on wobbly legs! Can Sherman finish him?
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sherman as Adams tries to tie him up.
Sherman lands a damaging elbow.
Sherman with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Adams seems to have recovered his senses.
Sherman using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sherman lands with a short shot to the head.
Sherman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Adams's defenses.
Sherman misses with a knee to the head.
Sherman lands an elbow inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherman gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Adams looks gassed!
Sherman scores with a shoulder strike.
Sherman gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Adams.
Adams takes an elbow to the temple.
Adams takes an elbow to the temple.
Sherman utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Sherman creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sherman gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sherman using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sherman connects with a nasty looking knee right to Adams's face.

That has opened up Dino Adams's cut even more.
Sherman gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sherman lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sherman pushes Adams back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Adams is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sherman lands a good knee to the midsection. Adams won't want to take too many of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sherman with a knee to the head.
Sherman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A bit of stalling here from Sherman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Sherman.
Sherman scores with a knee to the head.
Sherman lands a body punch.
Sherman will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Adams up against the ropes.
Sherman lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Adams takes an elbow to the temple.
Sherman lands an elbow inside.
Sherman lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sherman is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Sherman pushes Adams back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sherman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sherman tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sherman lands an elbow inside that Adams shrugs off.
Sherman lands a right hand that snaps the head of Adams backwards.
Sherman with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sherman lands an elbow inside that Adams shrugs off.
Sherman lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherman effectively controlling the action here.
Adams takes an elbow to the temple.
Sherman unloads a knee to the mid-section. Adams lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sherman lands an elbow just above Adams 's eye.
Sherman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Adams's defenses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sherman obliges.
Sherman lands a nice elbow.
Sherman effectively controlling the action here.
Sherman landing knees to the head.
Sherman lands a left hand that snaps the head of Adams backwards.
Sherman connects with a nasty looking knee right to Adams's face.
Sherman lands an elbow just above Adams 's eye.
Sherman'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.
Adams takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adams being controlled against the ropes.
Adams's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sherman lands an elbow inside.
Sherman lands an elbow inside that Adams shrugs off.
Sherman gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sherman.
Sherman has Adams pushed against the ropes.
Sherman lands an elbow that stopped Adams in his tracks for a moment.
Adams jumps guard but Sherman stands there with Adams around his waist. Adams gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sherman landing knees to the body.
Sherman lands a nice uppercut.
Adams's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Sherman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dino Adams's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Adams takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sherman, as that shot connected.

Sherman gets tackled into the ropes by Adams. Adams maintains the clinch.
Sherman lands a good knee to the midsection. Adams won't want to take too many of those.
Sherman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sherman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A short left from Sherman.
Sherman lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Adams backwards.
Sherman putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Adams in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Adams takes a shot to the head.
Sherman with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sherman landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Sherman lands an elbow inside.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Still in the clinch, Sherman scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sherman lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sherman.
Sherman lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherman lands a damaging elbow.
Adams letting Sherman take a breather here.
Sherman lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Sherman lands a nice elbow.
Sherman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sherman landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Sherman lands a good knee to the midsection. Adams won't want to take too many of those.
Sherman lands a nice uppercut.
Adams takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sherman landing knees to the head.
A short right from Sherman on the inside.
Adams takes an elbow to the temple.
Sherman lands an elbow that stopped Adams in his tracks for a moment.
Knees to the body from Sherman.
Sherman lands a nice elbow.
Sherman scores a nice knee to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sherman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adams stalling in the clinch but Sherman improves position.
A bit of stalling here from Sherman.
Sherman digs a right hand underneath Adams's ribcage. Adams let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sherman working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Adams takes an elbow to the forehead.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Sherman lands an uppercut.
Sherman throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sherman lands an elbow inside that Adams shrugs off.
Sherman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sherman throws an elbow that misses.
Sherman lands an elbow inside that Adams shrugs off.
Sherman with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sherman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Adams can do to turn this around?
Sherman using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Adams has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sherman is trying to stall.
Adams prevents a body shot from Sherman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherman tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sherman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sherman tries to land a knee to the head but Adams blocks with his arms.
Sherman tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Adams is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Adams managing to block the knees to the body from Sherman.
Adams drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sherman gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Adams misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Sherman throws an elbow but misses.
Sherman trying to control the position but instead, Adams has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sherman into the ropes.
Adams stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Sherman lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Adams backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sherman makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sherman tries a knee to the head but Adams blocks it.
Adams takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sherman tries to land a knee to the head but Adams blocks with his arms.
Sherman misses with an elbow over the top.
Adams fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sherman.
Adams takes a knee to the side of the body.
Adams blocks an uppercut.
Sherman trying to control the position but instead, Adams has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sherman into the ropes.
Sherman trying to land knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Adams jumps guard but Sherman stands there with Adams around his waist. Adams gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Michael Sherman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dino Adams.
Sherman misses with an elbow strike.
Sherman creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sherman gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Adams.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sherman misses with a kick to the body.

Sherman closes the distance and pushes Adams back into the ropes.
A right hand to the body from Adams.
Sherman gets through Adams's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Adams is looking to control Sherman's arms but Sherman gets an underhook and turns him. Now Adams has his back to the ropes.
Adams struggles to land a body shot inside as Sherman controls his hands.
Sherman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sherman misses with a knee strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Sherman just misses with a elbow thrown towards Adams's brow.
Adams tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sherman throws a knee to the head but misses.
Adams tries to pull guard but Sherman won't allow it.
Sherman lands a damaging elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A knee to the head by Sherman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherman with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Adams jumps guard but Sherman stands there with Adams around his waist. Adams gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Michael Sherman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dino Adams.
Sherman lands a good knee to the midsection. Adams won't want to take too many of those.
Sherman lands an elbow inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sherman throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sherman landing knees to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Sherman just misses with a elbow thrown towards Adams's brow.
Sherman misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sherman misses with an elbow strike.
Adams goes for a takedown attempt but Sherman pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Adams ducks right into an uppercut from Sherman.
Michael Sherman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sherman tries to clinch there but Adams circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Adams blocks a jab.
Sherman misses with a combination

and Adams counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Adams.
Sherman might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sherman wants to get back to his feet but Adams is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Adams trying to control the position from guard on top but Sherman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Adams lands a couple of elbows.
Adams sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sherman is looking to stand up but Adams isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adams in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Adams stops Sherman from standing up.
Sherman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sherman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Adams is one step ahead there.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Adams wants to control from the top but Sherman keeps moving.

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

Adams moves into range and clinches up with Sherman.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sherman.
Sherman lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nice elbow from Sherman.
Sherman blocks a body shot from Adams.
Michael Sherman has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sherman throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sherman blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sherman lands an elbow inside.
Sherman lands an elbow that stopped Adams in his tracks for a moment.
Sherman lands with a light punch inside.
Adams's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A body shot lands from Sherman.
Sherman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Adams is defending well for now.
Sherman gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sherman with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sherman misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sherman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Adams tries to work over Sherman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sherman lands a nice elbow.
Sherman lands with a left to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Michael Sherman did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Dino Adams's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Adams moves out of range of the leg kick from Sherman.
Sherman throws a sloppy head kick

and Adams counters with a single leg into guard. Sherman didn't expect that.
Sherman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Adams has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sherman keeping moving, preventing Adams from controlling successfully.
Adams is in close to Sherman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Adams prevents Sherman from getting back to his feet.
Adams trying to control but Sherman is working from the bottom.
Adams is fighting to break Sherman's control of his arms but Sherman is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Adams controlling from the top position.
Sherman tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Dino Adams hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A head kick by Sherman misses

and Adams counters with a takedown into side control.
Adams tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Sherman is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Sherman is staying active underneath Adams, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sherman is trying to get back to full guard.
Sherman wants to sweep but Adams has passed to side control!
Adams working the body and head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sherman is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Sherman is trying to control Adams's posture but Adams avoids it.
Sherman is looking for a sweep.
Adams working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Sherman is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Sherman dodges the ground and pound from Adams.
Adams tries to advance to mount but can't.
Adams wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sherman keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherman can't do much from the bottom here.
Adams prevents Sherman from escaping the position.
Sherman is working to avoid the ground and pound but Adams connects with a decent elbow.
Adams tries to advance to mount but Sherman denies him.
Sherman is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Adams is controlling him well.
Adams works to advance to full mount. Sherman defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Sherman wants to hold on but Adams pushes him away.
Adams fails to take his opponent's back.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Adams prevents Sherman from getting the reversal.
Adams trying to control but Sherman is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Sherman tries to lock up and control but Adams gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Adams looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sherman wants to control but Adams is having none of it.
Sherman wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Sherman controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Sherman trying to control the action but Adams just sinks the hooks in.
Sherman tries to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dino Adams dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Dino Adams's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Adams drives through and clinches with Sherman against the ropes.
Adams tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sherman just stands there and leans against the ropes.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sherman throws an elbow but it misses.
Sherman pushes off an throws an elbow but Adams leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Adams on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sherman lands a nice uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Sherman scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sherman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sherman crunches a lovely knee into Adams's ribcage.
Sherman tries a knee to the head but Adams blocks it.
Adams can't find room to land a body shot as Sherman controls the action.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sherman lands a damaging elbow.
Sherman tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sherman is trying to stall.
Sherman tries to land a knee to the head but Adams blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adams tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sherman smiles and moves away.

Adams moves into the clinch successfully.
Sherman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Adams's defenses.
Sherman scores with a knee to the head.
Adams tries a body shot but Sherman blocks it.
Sherman throws an elbow that misses.
Sherman tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Adams avoids it.
Sherman lands a damaging elbow.
Adams changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sherman fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Michael Sherman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dino Adams.
Sherman throws a head kick but Adams moves out of range.

That's two 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.
Sherman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sherman fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Adams.

Adams closes the distance and clinches.
Sherman throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Adams blocks it with crossed arms.
Adams is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
Sherman scores with a shot to the side of Adams's head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sherman.
Sherman throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sherman lands an elbow inside that Adams shrugs off.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sherman.
Sherman lands a damaging elbow.
A short right from Sherman.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Maybe Sherman would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Adams jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sherman walks away with a smile on his face. Adams gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sherman throws a head kick but Adams moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Sherman misses

and Adams counters with a shoot takedown. Sherman fights it but they end up in guard.
Adams trying to control but Sherman is working from the bottom.
Sherman wants to stand up but Adams is controlling him.

Sherman pushes Adams off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Sherman misses with a low kick as Adams jumps back.

Adams clinches up against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adams unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sherman lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Dino Adams has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Adams struggles to land a body shot inside as Sherman controls his hands.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sherman.
Michael Sherman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Knees to the body from Sherman.
Sherman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sherman throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Adams blocks an elbow strike from Sherman.
Sherman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Adams's defenses.
Adams is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Sherman gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sherman lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Adams misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sherman stalling.
Adams jumps guard but Sherman stands there with Adams around his waist. Adams gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Adams throws a punch but it's blocked by Sherman.

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 Michael Sherman.
I think Sherman 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Michael Sherman!
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight for Michael Sherman!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Michael Sherman!

Michael Sherman wins by unanimous decision!
Michael Sherman retains his light heavyweight title!