PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joaquin Saez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Fernandinho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joaquin Saez has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Saez
vs
Fernandinho

176 cm
21
180 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

184 cm
22
185 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joaquin Saez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Carlos Fernandinho!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Radbod Blank and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fernandinho stuffs the takedown.

Saez scores with a takedown into Fernandinho's guard.
Fernandinho tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fernandinho managing to control the position.
Saez throws a strike but Fernandinho rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Fernandinho tries to free his leg and advance position but Saez is retaining full guard.
Fernandinho forces his way into half guard.
Fernandinho thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fernandinho trying to control from half guard but Saez is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saez wants to get back to full guard.
Fernandinho moves into full mount! Saez won't be happy about that!
Saez can't escape the position.
Fernandinho controlling from mount.
Let's hope that Fernandinho has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Saez is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saez avoids a series of strikes thrown by Fernandinho.
Saez is squirming around, avoiding Fernandinho's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saez working to try and regain half guard.
Saez regains half guard.

Fernandinho is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Saez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Fernandinho.
Saez is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saez wants to get back to full guard but Fernandinho has mounted him!
Fernandinho looking to control but Saez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Fernandinho is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Saez can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Fernandinho looking to control but Saez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Saez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fernandinho is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Saez has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Saez!
Saez tries to free his leg and advance position but Fernandinho is retaining full guard.
Saez trying to control the position from guard on top but Fernandinho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Saez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fernandinho works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saez trying to control the position from guard on top but Fernandinho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fernandinho is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Saez scoring with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joaquin Saez will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fernandinho with a jab.
Saez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fernandinho sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saez somewhat.
Saez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fernandinho defends it nicely.
Saez lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fernandinho's sensitive parts.
Fernandinho lands a nice shot that snaps Saez's head back.

Saez scores with a takedown into Fernandinho's guard.
Saez trying to control but Fernandinho is working from the bottom.

Fernandinho working for submissions but it's allowed Saez to get to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saez winds up and cracks Fernandinho with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandinho works his way to full guard. Good work.
Joaquin Saez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saez lands a couple of digs.
Fernandinho throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Fernandinho not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fernandinho preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Saez throws a strike but Fernandinho rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Fernandinho preventing the sweep.
Saez is working hard here to advance position.
Fernandinho wants to control from the top but Saez keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saez trying to keep a closed guard but Fernandinho is proving a slippery customer.
Saez wants to sweep here but Fernandinho controlling him for the moment.
Saez is striking but Fernandinho is not phased and passes to half guard.
Fernandinho wants to free his trapped foot but Saez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Saez is looking for a sweep. Fernandinho is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fernandinho wants to pass the guard but Saez is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandinho is still trying to improve position.
Fernandinho controlling the action here.
Saez is pressing down on Fernandinho's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Fernandinho stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fernandinho is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Saez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fernandinho doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fernandinho manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saez keeping moving, preventing Fernandinho from controlling successfully.
Saez looking for a sweep. Not yet Saez, not yet.
Fernandinho being controlled here momentarily.
Fernandinho trying to control but Saez is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saez working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Joaquin Saez will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Fernandinho stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fernandinho wants it to stay on the feet.
Fernandinho scores with a nice head shot.
Saez misses with a two punch combination.
A lazy left from Fernandinho finds it's target.
Saez misses with a head kick.
Fernandinho scores with a jab. Saez acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Saez throws a nice looking combination but Fernandinho bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saez has his takedown stuffed
and Fernandinho makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fernandinho throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Saez dodges the punch combination from Fernandinho.
Fernandinho throws a leg kick but Saez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Fernandinho takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saez misses with a takedown
and Fernandinho counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquin Saez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Fernandinho throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Saez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Fernandinho is in Saez's guard.
Saez keeping moving, preventing Fernandinho from controlling successfully.
Fernandinho forces his way into half guard.
Fernandinho not doing much here.
Carlos Fernandinho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fernandinho's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fernandinho's back!
Saez gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saez trying to control momentarily.
Saez doesn't have the hooks in and Fernandinho manages to turn into his guard.
Saez is looking to sweep but instead, Fernandinho has passed into half guard.
Saez tries to get to full guard but Fernandinho has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saez is trying to maintain the position but Fernandinho is very close to passing his half guard.

Fernandinho seems to be working for a kimura but Saez defends the submission attempt.
Fernandinho tries to pass to full mount but Saez defends it.
Joaquin Saez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fernandinho thows a huge punch but Saez dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fernandinho seems to be looking for submissions.
Fernandinho working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Saez's thigh. Saez counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Fernandinho stays in close to Saez's body and controls the position.
Saez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernandinho stands up over Saez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Fernandinho comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Saez 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Carlos Fernandinho!