PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Romeo Hernanes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan comes to the cage accompanied by I'd Love to Knock the Hell out of You by Hank Williams, Jr. Hernanes has chosen Awolnation - Sail as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ryan
vs
Hernanes

183 cm
36
159 lbs
31 - 23 - 2

170 cm
36
168 lbs
23 - 13 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 31 - 23 - 2, fighting out of London, Daniel Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Romeo Hernanes!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hernanes moves into the clinch.
Hernanes pressing his opponent against the cage.
Ryan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ryan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hernanes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ryan is looking to take this one to the mat.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ryan avoiding damage as Hernanes throws knees to the body.
Hernanes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Hernanes has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Hernanes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hernanes walks into a stiff left hand from Ryan.
Hernanes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hernanes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Ryan scores with a takedown into Hernanes's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ryan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hernanes is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernanes wants to get back to his feet but Ryan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ryan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hernanes swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ryan lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hernanes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ryan is controlling him.
Hernanes keeping full guard, as Ryan tries to pass.
Ryan slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
An elbow from Ryan crashes against the mat.
Ryan prevents Hernanes from escaping the position.

Ryan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hernanes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ground and pound from Ryan seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Ryan 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.

Hernanes explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Ryan lands a really nice looking cross but Hernanes seems unphased.
Hernanes is looking to clinch.
Ryan feinted with a counter takedown.
Hernanes swinging wildly here.
Ryan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ryan circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Hernanes does no damage.
Hernanes lands a jab.
Hernanes misses with a few strikes there.
Hernanes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ryan half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hernanes scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Daniel Ryan has been cut.
Ryan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hernanes sprawls well. Hernanes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ryan gets slowly back to his feet.
Despite the aggression on Hernanes's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Ryan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hernanes looks to land a combination but Ryan avoids it well.
Hernanes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ryan.
Ryan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ryan tried to score with a low kick but Hernanes checks it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ryan.
Ryan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hernanes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A punch combination from Hernanes misses.
Hernanes throws a sloppy head kick and Ryan moves out of range easily.
Ryan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hernanes darts in and clinches Ryan up against the cage.

Ryan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hernanes moves away from the strike by Ryan.
Ryan missing with a left hand there. Hernanes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hernanes leaves Ryan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hernanes throws a sloppy head kick

so Ryan counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ryan won't allow Hernanes to get back to his feet.
Ryan is looking to pass into half guard but Hernanes pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hernanes is in guard.

Ryan has his hands on Hernanes's head, controlling the position.

Hernanes gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hernanes throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ryan's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Romeo Hernanes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Daniel Ryan's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ryan shoots in looking for a takedown but Hernanes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ryan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hernanes is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hernanes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice shot by Ryan.
Ryan blocks a head kick by Hernanes.
Hernanes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ryan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Good leg kick by Ryan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hernanes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ryan.
Hernanes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hernanes throws a head kick that misses

and Ryan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ryan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hernanes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ryan.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ryan is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hernanes is defending against the submission attempts here by Ryan.

Ryan is looking for a kimura but Hernanes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ryan to get the leverage.
Hernanes is trying to stand.

Ryan seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Hernanes has recovered full guard.
Ryan throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ryan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Hernanes pushes Ryan off and scrambles back to his feet.
Romeo Hernanes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hernanes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ryan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hernanes.
Hernanes misses with a double jab
and Ryan counters with a stiff right hand.

Ryan closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hernanes's guard.
Ryan is standing up over Hernanes. Hernanes looks to escape but Ryan dives into side control.

Hernanes is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Ryan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hernanes has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ryan swings around for an armbar but Hernanes sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ryan's guard.

Hernanes stands and steps away. Ryan gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Romeo Hernanes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hernanes lands a nice hook to Ryan's body. Ryan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Ryan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ryan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ryan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hernanes swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Hernanes pushes Ryan off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Hernanes throws a head kick but Ryan moves out of range.
Ryan appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hernanes tries a head kick but it misses.
Ryan half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hernanes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ryan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ryan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ryan slips a jab and a cross from Hernanes.
Hernanes throws a head kick that misses.
Hernanes connects with a crisp jab.
Ryan tests Hernanes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ryan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ryan cracks Hernanes with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A telegraphed right hand from Ryan misses the target.
Hernanes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ryan or perhaps it was just good defense by Hernanes, which made it look bad.
Hernanes throws a lazy head kick

and Ryan counters with a single leg into guard. Hernanes didn't expect that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Romeo Hernanes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Daniel Ryan's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ryan goes for a double leg but Hernanes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hernanes continues to drive forward.
Hernanes misses with a two punch combination.
Ryan is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hernanes throws a head kick but Ryan moves out of range.
Ryan is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ryan throws a jab but it's blocked by Hernanes.
Hernanes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hernanes tries a head kick but it misses.
Ryan was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hernanes throws a right hand that Ryan ducks under and follows up with a left that Ryan also avoids with ease.
Ryan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hernanes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Romeo Hernanes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hernanes takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ryan thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hernanes if he has to take too many more of those.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Ryan.
Hernanes is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ryan tries a low kick but Hernanes avoids it.
Hernanes connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hernanes moves out of range of the leg kick from Ryan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernanes tries to clinch but Ryan is having none of it.
Hernanes scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ryan throws a leg kick but Hernanes checks it.
Nice takedown defense from Hernanes. No joy for Ryan on that attempt.
Ryan slips a jab and a cross from Hernanes.
Ryan was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Ryan tries a low kick but Hernanes avoids it.
Ryan misses with a hook. Hernanes ducked under it nicely.
Hernanes throws a lazy right hand but Ryan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A cross from Ryan lands.
Hernanes closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hernanes throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hernanes scores with a head kick.
Hernanes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice combination there by Hernanes.

Ryan is rocked!

Daniel Ryan's cut is getting worse.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hernanes lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ryan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ryan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Oh Ryan is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Ryan bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hernanes bucks up and tries to throw Ryan off but instead Ryan has got his back!
Ryan seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes is trying to get back to his feet but Ryan has full control of the position and if anything, Hernanes has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Ryan patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Hernanes is trying to get back to his feet but Ryan has full control of the position and if anything, Hernanes has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Ryan scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Hernanes is looking for a way out.

Ryan is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Hernanes has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Hernanes is in a bad position with Ryan working for a choke. Hernanes manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryan working a defensive guard here.
Hernanes wants to stand but Ryan has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Ryan throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hernanes escapes and throws Ryan's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Hernanes stands up.
Some wild striking there from Hernanes.
Ryan ducks under a wild hook from Hernanes.
Ryan changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ryan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick by Hernanes misses

and Ryan counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ryan.

Ryan has gone for a leg lock! Hernanes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ryan's guard.

Hernanes wants to stand but Ryan is controlling his posture from full guard.

Ryan looking for subs off his back but Hernanes has passed one foot through into half guard.
Ryan wants to control but Hernanes is keeping busy and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romeo Hernanes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hernanes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romeo Hernanes!
A very excited looking Romeo Hernanes 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.