PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jason Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hannibal King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Fernandez might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Yakety Sax. Hannibal King has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fernandez
vs
King

183 cm
27
178 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

180 cm
33
182 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Sydney BEAST Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jason Fernandez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hannibal King!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, John Kavanagh and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fernandez tries to clinch there but King circles away.

Fernandez moves into the clinch successfully.
King tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fernandez lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
King is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
King goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
King working hard to break the clinch.

Fernandez breaks from the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
King misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fernandez swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Fernandez takes the fight into the clinch.
Fernandez keeps control of King as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Fernandez stalling in the clinch.

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

King looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
King wanted to stand there but Fernandez had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King wants to pass the guard but Fernandez is keeping the position.

Fernandez pushes King off and gets back to his feet.
A left and a right from Fernandez both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Hannibal King has been cut.

Fernandez gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Fernandez breaks the clinch.
Fernandez throws out a leg kick but King moves out of range and Fernandez only half commits.

Fernandez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fernandez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Fernandez breaks from the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from King is defended easily by Fernandez.
A left and a right from Fernandez both land. Nice combination.
Jason Fernandez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
King tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fernandez swivels and escapes.
Jason Fernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hannibal King.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fernandez has closed the distance and engaged King in a clinch.

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

Fernandez gets a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fernandez.
Fernandez working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Fernandez has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics King uses from the top position.
King is fighting to break Fernandez's control of his arms but Fernandez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
King trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fernandez's guard.

King drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Fernandez manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now King has Fernandez in his guard.

King escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fernandez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fernandez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez looking to sit in guard and control but King gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
King wants to get up but he can't break Fernandez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Fernandez scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Fernandez pushes King up against the cage in a clinch.
Fernandez lands an elbow inside that King shrugs off.
A left hand lands to the body for Fernandez.

Fernandez breaks the clinch.
Fernandez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but King moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
King throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fernandez's waist but Fernandez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing King off to one side.
Fernandez doesn't manage to clinch there - King circles away.
Fernandez fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King shoots for a takedown but Fernandez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
King shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fernandez pinned against the cage. Fernandez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
King shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fernandez sprawls well. Fernandez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. King gets slowly back to his feet.
King looks winded!
King showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fernandez.
Fernandez is looking to clinch.
Jason Fernandez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fernandez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fernandez throws a low kick but King avoids it.

Fernandez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with King, pushing him back against the cage.

Fernandez breaks from the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fernandez jabs at King's body.

Fernandez closes the distance and clinches.
Fernandez blocks a body shot from King.
King blocks an elbow strike from Fernandez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Fernandez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hannibal King's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fernandez darts in and clinches King up against the cage.

Fernandez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fernandez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but King circles away quickly and effectively.
Fernandez doesn't manage to clinch there - King circles away.
Fernandez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by King.

King decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

King seems to be working for a kimura but Fernandez defends the submission attempt.

King is working for a kimura but Fernandez is defending it quite comfortably.
Fernandez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Fernandez wants to stand up but King is controlling him.
Fernandez trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in King's guard.
King wants to stand and escape but Fernandez is having none of it.
Fernandez throws a strike but King rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

King is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Fernandez is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Fernandez has escaped and now he's on top!

Fernandez got a little sloppy there for a moment and King has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fernandez has managed to get both his arms back between King's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez stopping the sweep attempt from King.
Fernandez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
King wants to sweep here but Fernandez controlling him for the moment.
Fernandez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fernandez wants to control from the top but King keeps moving.
Fernandez throwing strikes from guard but King blocks nicely.
Fernandez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fernandez looking to pass the guard.
Fernandez chips away with some ground and pound.

King isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Fernandez stacks King on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Fernandez!

Fernandez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
King is looking to regain half guard here but Fernandez keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez is putting a hurting on King here, landing some big shots from side control.
Fernandez in side control lands a decent elbow.
Fernandez is working King over with some ground and pound from side control.
Fernandez tries to score with some ground and pound. King controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
King is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Fernandez is controlling him well.
King defending against the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fernandez creates some space and throws a big elbow, but King sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandez lands a decent elbow from side control.
Fernandez is chipping away with strikes.
Fernandez moves into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Fernandez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Hannibal King's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Fernandez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but King moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fernandez swinging wildly here.
Fernandez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Fernandez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with King, pushing him back against the cage.

Fernandez jumps guard.
King wants to stand but Fernandez is controlling his posture from full guard.

King 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 King, into his guard.
Fernandez trying to control but King is working from the bottom.
Fernandez throws a strike but King rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for King!
King manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by King, under a barage of strikes from Fernandez.
Fernandez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fernandez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fernandez is trying to control. King wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fernandez looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks King with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
King on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fernandez lands a nice short elbow.
Fernandez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fernandez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but King does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fernandez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fernandez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

King actively working from the bottom here.
King avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fernandez.
Fernandez throwing shots but King is blocking nicely.
King tries to roll over but Fernandez keeps him under control.
Fernandez wants to free his trapped foot but King is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fernandez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Fernandez drops an elbow to the side of King's head.
King blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fernandez.
King wants to get back to his feet.
Fernandez is looking to take a break and control but King is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fernandez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King wants to get back to full guard.
Fernandez throwing shots but King is blocking nicely.
King on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fernandez sitting and controlling from the half guard.
King has hold of Fernandez's hands but Fernandez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Fernandez lands with a punch from half guard.
Fernandez tries to pass to full mount but King defends it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jason Fernandez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fernandez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Fernandez clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Hannibal King's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

King fails with a takedown attempt.
Fernandez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
King shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fernandez but Fernandez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
King closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fernandez circles away.
Jason Fernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hannibal King.
Fernandez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from King.
Fernandez swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Fernandez rushes King and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Fernandez breaks the clinch.
King is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Fernandez closes the distance and clinches.

Fernandez pulls guard successfully.
Fernandez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst King is controlling him.
Fernandez pulls King in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

King is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Fernandez is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Fernandez has escaped and now he's on top!

King looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Fernandez has picked King up and slammed him! King can't keep hold of the triangle and Fernandez manages to pass to side control!
King is not content to let Fernandez control the position.
King tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez cracks King with a big elbow.
King is trying to improve his position.
King is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Fernandez off and has taken his back!
Fernandez turns into King and is now in his guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fernandez throws a big right hand that misses.
Fernandez is looking to work some ground and pound but King has wrist control.
Fernandez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fernandez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fernandez trying to control the position from guard on top but King is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fernandez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that King can do to turn this around?

Fernandez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
King utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fernandez advances to half guard.
Fernandez controlling the pace.

King looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fernandez slips a nice elbow through King's hands, connecting with King's forehead.
Fernandez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fernandez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but King does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King tries to roll over but Fernandez keeps him under control.
Fernandez is trying to control. King wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fernandez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fernandez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fernandez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for King!
Fernandez breaks from King's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fernandez working the ground and pound effectively.
King is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandez tries to control but King wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Fernandez had his way with Hannibal King in that round.
The cut man is working on Hannibal King's cut.
That's time! Fernandez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Fernandez wants to clinch.
King shoots in looking for a takedown but Fernandez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing King's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Fernandez clinches with his opponent.

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

Fernandez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
King swings wildly with an uppercut but Fernandez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fernandez scores with a shoulder strike.
Fernandez cracks King with a nice body shot.

Fernandez breaks the clinch.

Fernandez moves into the clinch successfully.
Jason Fernandez has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fernandez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables King to keep the fight standing.
King tries to work over Fernandez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
King misses with the head strike.
King is trying to break the clinch but Fernandez has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King swings wildly with an uppercut but Fernandez uses good head movement to avoid it.

Fernandez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fernandez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jason Fernandez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fernandez just misses with a punch to the body.
Fernandez misses with a body shot

and King counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
King is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

King is working for a submission of some sort.
Fernandez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
King wanted to stand there but Fernandez had control of the position.
King wants to stand and escape but instead Fernandez has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Hannibal King has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez is looking to work some ground and pound but King has wrist control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fernandez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fernandez throws an elbow that misses. King uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fernandez's guard. Nice move by King!
King would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

King drops back, looking for a kneebar! Fernandez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Fernandez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Fernandez!
The strikes coming from Fernandez are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Fernandez throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King is looking for a sweep.
Fernandez postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Fernandez throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Fernandez with the ground and pound but King regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Fernandez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Nice strikes from Fernandez there.

Fernandez stands up from half guard.
King jabs at Fernandez's body.
Fernandez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but King paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Fernandez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fernandez stuns King with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A nice combination there by Fernandez.
Fernandez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fernandez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Fernandez clinches up with King and pushes him back against the cage.
King struggles to land a body shot inside as Fernandez controls his hands.
King goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fernandez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fernandez taking a breather.

Fernandez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fernandez drops his hands momentarily and King takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Fernandez is looking to wear down King with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Fernandez has closed the distance and engaged King in a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fernandez presses King against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A shot in the inside from Fernandez.

Fernandez pulls King into guard.
King postures up in Fernandez's guard and throws a big left but Fernandez blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason 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 John Roberts scores the fight 50:45
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Fernandez!
Jason Fernandez retains his welterweight title!
Jason Fernandez managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Sydney BEAST Clothing , into his post fight interview.