PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Philip Traverse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Hernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Traverse
vs
Hernandez

186 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

155 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Philip Traverse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Hernandez!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hernandez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Hernandez has eaten all the pies!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Hernandez tries to move into full mount but can't pass Traverse's legs.
An elbow from Hernandez crashes against the mat.
Traverse is looking to regain half guard here but Hernandez keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hernandez tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Traverse is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hernandez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Traverse actively working from the bottom here.
Traverse is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Traverse looking for submissions off his back.
Traverse slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Traverse will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Traverse throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Traverse looking for a guillotine here but Hernandez defends easily.

Traverse looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Hernandez looking to sit in guard and control but Traverse gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hernandez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Traverse. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Traverse throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Traverse scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hernandez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hernandez looking to control.
Traverse passes Hernandez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Traverse working the head and body with strikes.
Traverse 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.
Traverse looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hernandez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Traverse tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hernandez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Traverse is thwarting Hernandez's attempts to control the position.

Traverse is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Traverse scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Traverse is nestled in close to Hernandez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Traverse scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Traverse seems to be working for a kimura but Hernandez defends the submission attempt.
Hernandez has hold of Traverse's hands but Traverse slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Traverse is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hernandez defends it well.
Traverse trying to pass the guard but Hernandez defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Traverse lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Traverse connects with a nice short shot to Hernandez's temple.
Hernandez wants to control but Traverse is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hernandez gets full guard.
Hernandez looks winded!
Traverse stands and throws Hernandez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Traverse lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hernandez down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philip Traverse dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hernandez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Traverse is trying to get back to half guard.
Traverse manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Traverse working Hernandez over with strikes.
Traverse works his way into full mount!
Traverse unloading with bombs!
Traverse is in the full mount, landing strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Traverse lands a heavy elbow.
Traverse lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Hernandez hang on?
Hernandez taking shots to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Traverse looking to isolate an arm here. Hernandez doesn't see it coming and as Traverse extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Traverse!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Philip Traverse!
Our winner, Philip Traverse, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.