PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Walter Herman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Goku Son (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Herman
vs
Son

175 cm
18
185 lbs
3 - 10 - 0

189 cm
22
187 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

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 3 - 10 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Walter Herman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Goku Son!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Herman moves into the clinch successfully.
Son changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Herman fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Son shoots in but Herman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Herman feinted with a counter takedown.
Son fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Walter Herman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Goku Son.
Herman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Son circles away.
Herman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Herman stuffs the takedown attempt from Son. Son gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herman dives in for a single leg takedown but Son sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Despite the aggression on Son's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Son gets tackled into the cage by Herman. Herman maintains the clinch.
Herman gets underhooks to prevent Son's takedown attempt.
Herman gets underhooks to prevent Son's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herman will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Son up against the cage.
Herman missing with knees to the body.

Son lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Herman has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Son is on him like a limpet, forcing Herman back against the cage.
Herman tries for a takedown but Son manages to get underhooks.
Herman is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Son pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Herman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Son pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Herman fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Herman fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Son to the ground. Herman is now in Son's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Herman controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Herman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Son is looking to stand up but Herman isn't so interested in that idea.
Herman might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Herman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Son swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Herman engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Herman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Son working a defensive guard here.
Son keeping full guard, as Herman tries to pass.
Herman stays in close to Son's body and controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Herman shoots in for a takedown but Son shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Son tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Herman displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Son.
Son closes this distance looking for a takedown but Herman circles away.
As Son backs away, Herman returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Son looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Herman drives through with a takedown into guard.
Herman engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Herman gets to his feet. Son looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Herman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Son defends it nicely.
And Son tries to counter it with a takedown but Herman pushes his down on his head and steps out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Herman dominated that round.
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.

Herman is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Son's half guard.
Son is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Son missing with punches from the bottom.
Herman seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herman looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Son trying to control here.
Son tries to kick Herman off but Herman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Son tries to get to full guard but Herman has control of the leg.
Herman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Son can do to turn this around?
Herman wants to pass the guard but Son is defending well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Walter Herman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Son tries a head kick but it misses.
Herman swats away the attempt to clinch by Son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Herman shoots in for a double leg but Son sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Herman dives in for a single leg takedown but Son sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Herman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Son avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Walter Herman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Son shoots in for a takedown but Herman shows good takedown defense.
Herman shoots in but Son avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Son raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Son cracks Herman with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Son dives in for a single leg takedown but Herman sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Goku Son seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Son is breathing heavily.
Herman displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herman shoots in for a takedown but Son shows good takedown defense.
Son slaps away a takedown attempt from Herman, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Herman looking to score a takedown here. Son is defending well but Herman drives through and ends up in Son's guard.
Herman is stalling in the full guard.
Herman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herman controlling from the top position.
Herman trying to control but Son is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Son tries to strike from the bottom.
Herman sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
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 Walter Herman will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Herman leaves Son with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Herman.
Son counters with a body kick.
Son throws a body punch but Herman moves out of range.
Herman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Son.
Goku Son seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fight stays on the outside here - Herman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herman circles away from the clinch attempt
and Herman counters with a left and a right that stings Son.
Herman shoots for a takedown but Son saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Herman is defended easily by Son.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Walter Herman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Son. No joy for Herman on that attempt.
Son is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Son darts in looking for a takedown but Herman gets double underhooks and turns Son into the cage.
Herman seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Herman darts in looking for a takedown but Son gets double underhooks and turns Herman into the cage.

Herman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Son takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Son wants to pass the guard but Herman is keeping the position.
Herman is trying to control the position but Son postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herman striking off his back but it's not causing Son any problems.
Son controlling from the top position.
Son is pushing down on Herman's leg trying to pass to half guard. Herman is fighting to maintain full guard but Son has managed to sneak the leg through.
Son wants to free his trapped foot but Herman is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Herman makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Herman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Son is fighting to break Herman's control of his arms but Herman is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Herman keeping moving, preventing Son from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herman keeping full guard, as Son tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Son fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Herman clinches up with Son and pushes him back against the cage.
Son gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Herman.
Herman goes for a takedown attempt but Son pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Herman closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Son did well to prevent Herman getting side control.
Goku Son has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Walter Herman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Herman perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Goku Son.
I think Herman 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 Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Walter Herman!
Walter Herman decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.