PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Remedios Verzosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Fernan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robert Fernan told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Verzosa
vs
Fernan

185 cm
30
190 lbs
26 - 10 - 0

185 cm
28
185 lbs
15 - 11 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 26 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Remedios Verzosa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Robert Fernan!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fernan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Verzosa's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Fernan trying to control the position from guard on top but Verzosa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Verzosa is trying to keep Fernan in close.
Verzosa looking for a sweep. Not yet Verzosa, not yet.
Fernan wants to control from the top but Verzosa keeps moving.
Fernan pushes down on Verzosa's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Fernan prevents Verzosa from improving his position.
Fernan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Verzosa defending well though.
Fernan wants to pass the guard but Verzosa is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Verzosa regains full guard. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Verzosa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fernan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Verzosa controls Fernan momentarily but Fernan frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Verzosa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fernan working some strikes from top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Verzosa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fernan defends it easily.
Verzosa wants to sweep but no luck.
Fernan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fernan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Verzosa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Fernan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fernan wants to control from the top but Verzosa keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fernan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Verzosa is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Verzosa is looking for a triangle but Fernan pushes his legs off easily.
Fernan trying to control the position from guard on top but Verzosa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Verzosa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fernan defends it easily.
Fernan throws a big right hand that misses.
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!
Fernan preventing the sweep.
Fernan trying to control the position from guard on top but Verzosa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Verzosa wants to stand and escape but Fernan is having none of it.
Fernan trying to control the position from guard on top but Verzosa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fernan wants to get up but he can't break Verzosa's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Verzosa looking for a sweep. Not yet Verzosa, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verzosa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fernan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Verzosa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fernan is looking to work some ground and pound but Verzosa has wrist control.
Verzosa trying to control the position.

Verzosa is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Fernan has his hands clasped together but Verzosa extends an breaks Fernan's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Verzosa.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Remedios Verzosa!
Remedios Verzosa retains his middleweight title!
A very excited looking Remedios Verzosa made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.