PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Andrea Hermias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Itor Lamope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lamope comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bulletproof kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hermias
vs
Lamope

170 cm
27
159 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

165 cm
27
159 lbs
13 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Granite chin

Legion of Pain Nutrition

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 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Andrea Hermias!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Itor Lamope!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Lamope misses.
Lamope takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hermias looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hermias misses with a straight right.
Hermias takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Andrea Hermias seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hermias drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hermias stopping the sweep attempt from Lamope.
Lamope is trying to keep Hermias in close.
Hermias stopping the sweep attempt from Lamope.
Hermias is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lamope keeping moving, preventing Hermias from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermias postures up in Lamope's guard and throws a big left but Lamope blocks it.
Lamope lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hermias!
Hermias has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Lamope's lack of action.

Lamope is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hermias is just riding it out for now. Lamope eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hermias preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Lamope prevents Hermias from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lamope throwing shots but Hermias is blocking nicely.
Hermias wants to improve his position but Lamope is controlling well.
Lamope trying to control from half guard but Hermias is working away.
Lamope lands strikes from half guard.

Lamope is looking for a kimura here.
Hermias trying to control here.
Hermias wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lamope looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hermias regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Lamope.
Lamope controls from within his opponent's guard.

Lamope drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hermias manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Lamope has Hermias in his guard.
Hermias in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hermias landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lamope working for a triangle but Hermias defends it easily.
Lamope trying to control the position.
Hermias looking to sit in guard and control but Lamope gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hermias trying to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hermias is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Lamope is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Lamope wants to control from the top but Hermias keeps moving.
Lamope lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Itor Lamope will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Lamope enables Hermias to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Lamope manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Hermias trying to control but Lamope is working from the bottom.
Lamope tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Lamope has his foot on Hermias's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hermias works his way back into a safe position though.
Hermias trying to control the position from guard on top but Lamope is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hermias postures up and lands a big shot to Lamope's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hermias accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hermias postures up and lands a big shot to Lamope's brow.
Lamope managing to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lamope is on top in guard.
Hermias not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lamope wants to control from the top but Hermias keeps moving.
Lamope stands up over Hermias, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hermias is trying to keep Lamope in close.
Lamope throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hermias works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hermias keeping moving, preventing Lamope from controlling successfully.
Hermias looking to control.
Lamope controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hermias throws an off balance right hand
and Lamope counters with a three punch combo that has Hermias backing up. Hermias nods at Lamope to acknowledge the strikes.
Lamope scores with a punch to the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Lamope as he connects with a hook.
Hermias thuds his shin into the meat of Lamope's side.
Hermias swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lamope misses with a leg kick
and Hermias counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lamope misses with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lamope moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hermias is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hermias listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hermias's jab looks to have found its range, popping Lamope under the eye.
A jab from Hermias misses.

Hermias shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lamope is trying to defend but Hermias finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Lamope is looking for a sweep. Hermias is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lamope is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hermias's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hermias's back!
Lamope is striking well from the back but Hermias escapes and manages to control the positon and works his way to half guard. A much better position - the crisis is over for the time being.

Hermias is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lamope pulls his head out easily.
Lamope trying to control from Hermias's half guard. Hermias has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Lamope slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Lamope trying to control the position from guard on top but Hermias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Itor Lamope has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Lamope slips under a jab.
Hermias leaves Lamope with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hermias works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lamope misses with a double jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lamope fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hermias.

Lamope gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hermias to score an easy takedown into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hermias is looking to work some ground and pound but Lamope has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Itor Lamope will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Hermias's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Lamope misses with a double jab.
Lamope is looking to score with low kicks.
Lamope on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lamope lands a head kick. Hermias smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Lamope misses with a takedown attempt
and Hermias makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Lamope throws out a loose jab but Hermias uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hermias scores with a shot to the body.
Hermias looks to land a left hand but Lamope moved out of range nicely.
Nice cross by Lamope.
Lamope on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hermias. Hermias obviously looking to wear him down.
Hermias swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lamope misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hermias.
Lamope throws a big shot that misses.
Hermias uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lamope.
Hermias lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Lamope.
Hermias uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lamope.
Lamope misses with an uppercut.
Hermias throws a right hand that Lamope ducks under and follows up with a left that Lamope also avoids with ease.
Lamope has a takedown stuffed.
Lamope throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lamope misses the shot to the body.
Lamope moves out of range of the body kick.
Lamope on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hermias jabs Lamope to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hermias misses with an uppercut. Lamope saw that one coming.
Hermias scores with a jab.
Lamope bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hermias's head backwards.
Hermias swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lamope works the jab nicely.
Hermias scores with a body shot.
Hermias swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hermias. Lamope does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice defenses there by Hermias.
Lamope throws a big shot that misses.

Hermias fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lamope sprawls well initially but Hermias persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lamope is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hermias pulls his head out easily.
Lamope has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hermias is working away from the top position though.
Hermias content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermias wants to control but Lamope is keeping him busy.
Lamope is looking to improve his position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Lamope is trying to control but can't.
Itor Lamope is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Andrea Hermias just wasn't active enough.
Lamope throws a hook but Hermias blocks it.
Lamope swings for the body but Hermias moves out of range.
Hermias misses with an uppercut.
Lamope throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hermias sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hermias explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Hermias ducks under a wild hook from Lamope.
Hermias throws a lazy right hand but Lamope sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lamope throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lamope keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lamope throws a jab but it's blocked by Hermias.
Lamope walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hermias throws an overhand right that lands on Lamope's shoulder, as Lamope tries to avoid the shot.
Lamope uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hermias.
Lamope avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lamope staying out of range there.
Lamope misses the jab.
Lamope throws a right hand that Hermias ducks under and follows up with a left that Hermias also avoids with ease.
Hermias avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Andrea Hermias has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sloppy strikes from Lamope. Those never looked like landing.
Lamope will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

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

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 Andrea Hermias.
I think Lamope 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 William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Itor Lamope!
A relieved looking Itor Lamope thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.