PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Danny Raptor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrea Hermias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Raptor
vs
Hermias

179 cm
36
144 lbs
30 - 20 - 0

170 cm
33
159 lbs
18 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 30 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Danny Raptor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrea Hermias!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Colin Fotheringham and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hermias dives in and scores a takedown into Raptor's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Raptor is on top in guard.
Raptor working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Raptor stopping the sweep attempt from Hermias.
Raptor throws a strike but Hermias rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Raptor looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hermias tries to free his leg and advance position but Raptor is retaining full guard.
Hermias looking to sit in guard and control but Raptor gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hermias trying to strike off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermias looking to hit a scissor sweep but Raptor is one step ahead there.
Raptor wants to control from the top but Hermias keeps moving.
Raptor postures up in Hermias's guard and throws a big left but Hermias blocks it.
Raptor landing with the ground and pound.
Hermias keeping full guard, as Raptor tries to pass.
Raptor has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Raptor stands and throws Hermias's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hermias is looking for a sweep.
Hermias is trying to control Raptor's posture but Raptor avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Raptor goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hermias has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Raptor but great work by Hermias.

Hermias tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Hermias is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Raptor has escaped the position, nice work there.
A lull in the action here as Hermias stalls from top position.
Raptor tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hermias wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Raptor regains half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hermias not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermias is thwarting Raptor's attempts to control the position.
Hermias wants to control but Raptor is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Raptor manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Raptor being controlled here, momentarily.

Raptor looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hermias passes into side control.
Raptor is not content to let Hermias control the position.
Hermias cracks Raptor with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raptor gets back to half guard.
Hermias missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hermias scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Raptor keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Hermias missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hermias landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Raptor trying to hold on to Hermias's head to control him but Hermias postures up.
Hermias thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Raptor wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andrea Hermias will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Raptor doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hermias shoots for a double leg takedown but Raptor sprawls well. He's pushed Hermias's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Raptor walks into a stiff left hand from Hermias.
Raptor just misses with a punch to the body.
Raptor misses the shot to the body.
Hermias showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Raptor.
Raptor misses with a head kick.
Hermias defending well as Raptor loads up on a big left hand.
Raptor leaves Hermias with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Raptor buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hermias chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The fighters circling - Hermias throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermias slips a jab and a cross from Raptor.
Horrible takedown by Hermias or perhaps it was just good defense by Raptor which made him look bad.
Danny Raptor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrea Hermias.
Raptor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Raptor shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hermias pinned against the cage. Hermias gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Raptor lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hermias's sensitive parts.
Hermias throws a head kick but Raptor moves out of range.
Hermias tries to clinch but Raptor moves out of range.

Hermias drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Raptor is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hermias trying to control the position from guard on top but Raptor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermias connects with a couple of short punches.
Hermias advances to half guard.
Hermias trying to control from half guard but Raptor is working away.
Hermias is thwarting Raptor's attempts to control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hermias slips a nice elbow through Raptor's hands, connecting with Raptor's forehead.

Hermias is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Raptor doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hermias.
Hermias wants to take a breather but Raptor is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raptor moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hermias is pushing down on Raptor's leg trying to pass to half guard. Raptor is fighting to maintain full guard but Hermias has managed to sneak the leg through.
Raptor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hermias is working away from the top position though.
Raptor is trying to get back to full guard.
Hermias content to control rather than advance.
Raptor wants to get back to full guard.

Raptor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hermias pulls his head out easily.
Hermias thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermias prevents Raptor from improving his position.
Raptor really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hermias landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Raptor tries to roll over but Hermias keeps him under control.
Hermias is nestled in close to Raptor, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Raptor is staying active underneath Hermias, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hermias throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Hermias is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raptor is looking to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrea Hermias showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Raptor's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hermias fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Raptor.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Raptor enables Hermias to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Raptor manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Raptor looking for a guillotine here but Hermias defends easily.
Hermias missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hermias throws a big elbow that misses.
Raptor keeping moving, preventing Hermias from controlling successfully.

Raptor is looking for a triangle here but Hermias uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Raptor manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Still in half guard, Hermias seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raptor trying to control here.
Hermias performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Hermias seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Raptor does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hermias not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Raptor misses with some strikes from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Raptor is refusing to be controlled, as Hermias sits in half guard.
Andrea Hermias has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hermias scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Raptor is rocked!

Hermias seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Raptor is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Andrea Hermias!
An out of breath Andrea Hermias thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.