PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chest Rockwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Herminio Herculano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Herminio Herculano told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Rockwell
vs
Herculano

177 cm
27
159 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

170 cm
27
170 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
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 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chest Rockwell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Herminio Herculano!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rockwell displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rockwell throws a solid leg kick but Herculano takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rockwell.
Rockwell misses with a hook
and Herculano counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rockwell looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Rockwell looks to land a right hand but Herculano moved out of range.
Herculano tries to counter with a clinch but Rockwell shakes him off and moves away.
Rockwell misses with a left hand
and Herculano counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rockwell looks to throw the jab but Herculano is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockwell throws a jab when Herculano was well out of range.
The fighters circling - Rockwell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Herculano tries to counter by closing the distance.
Herculano's coach down at Rabid Dog was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Herculano's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockwell throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Herculano moves into the clinch.
Rockwell tries to circle away but Herculano has him pinned against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rockwell.
Herculano controlling the action here for a moment.
Rockwell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Herculano prevents a body shot from Rockwell.
Herculano throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rockwell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Herculano tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rockwell's elbow.
Rockwell gets through Herculano's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Herculano tries to work over Rockwell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Herculano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Rockwell's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Herculano lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Herculano stalling against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell cracks Herculano with a nice body shot.
Herculano working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Herculano's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Herculano works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Herculano's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Herculano leaning against his opponent.
Herculano throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rockwell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Herculano lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rockwell or not.
Rockwell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rockwell.
Herculano slows down the pace here.
Rockwell misses with a body punch.
Herculano scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rockwell misses with a hook to the ribs.
Herculano is pushing Rockwell up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rockwell blocks a body shot from Herculano.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Herculano will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rockwell up against the cage.
Rockwell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Herculano misses with the head strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Herculano.
Herculano's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Herculano lands a shoulder strike.
Herculano tries to work over Rockwell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Herculano pressing his opponent against the cage.
Rockwell throws a punch but it's blocked by Herculano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herculano can't find room to land a body shot as Rockwell controls the action.
Rockwell lands a body punch.
Rockwell wants to get back to striking at distance but Herculano won't allow it.
Rockwell swings wildly with an uppercut but Herculano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Herculano prevents Rockwell from breaking the clinch.
Rockwell tries to break free but Herculano pushes him back against the cage.
Herculano working aggressively here.
Rockwell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Herculano.
Rockwell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Herculano tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Herculano lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Herculano.
Rockwell tries to throw a body punch but Herculano avoids it by throwing Rockwell back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rockwell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rockwell tries to bum rush Herculano with a series of wild strikes but Herculano uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rockwell misses with an uppercut. Herculano saw that one coming.
Herculano tries to counter by closing the distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Herminio Herculano will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rockwell misses with a straight right.
Rockwell works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rockwell missing with a left hand there. Herculano was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Herculano steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Rockwell.
Rockwell fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Herculano is out of range.
Herculano swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rockwell fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Herculano checks it well.
It seemed like Herculano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Chest Rockwell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockwell misses with the body kick

and Herculano holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rockwell swings wildly with an uppercut but Herculano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Herculano prevents a body shot from Rockwell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herculano scores with a shot to the side of Rockwell's head.
Herculano works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Rockwell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rockwell throws a hook but Herculano blocks it.
Herculano checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rockwell misses with a double jab

and Herculano moves into the clinch.
Rockwell letting Herculano take a breather here.
Herculano lands with a light punch inside.
Herculano misses with a body punch.
Herminio Herculano seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herculano lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Herculano misses with a body punch.

Rockwell manages to break the clinch.
Herculano slips a jab from Rockwell.
Herculano wants to counter the offense by Rockwell and move into the clinch position.
Good leg kick by Rockwell there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rockwell misses with an uppercut

and Herculano counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Herculano struggles to land a body shot inside as Rockwell controls his hands.
Rockwell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Herculano working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Herculano is trying to maintain a safe position but Rockwell gets an underhook and turns Herculano into the cage.
Herculano effectively controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herculano lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rockwell backwards.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A head punch on the inside from Herculano fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Herculano.
Herculano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Herculano lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Herculano.
Still in the clinch, Herculano scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rockwell can't break the clinch.
Herculano lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rockwell backwards.
Rockwell working aggressively here.
Herculano stalling.
Herculano is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rockwell is keeping busy.
Herculano is looking to control Rockwell's arms but Rockwell gets an underhook and turns him. Now Herculano has his back to the cage.
Herculano has a couple of punches blocked by Rockwell.
Rockwell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rockwell scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herculano lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rockwell backwards.
Herculano throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rockwell working hard to break the clinch.
Herculano tries a body shot but Rockwell blocks it.
Come on Herculano - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rockwell looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Herculano lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rockwell lands a body shot.
Herculano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Herculano lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rockwell backwards.
Herculano lands with a light punch inside.
Herculano throws a head punch that misses.
Herculano works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Herculano digs a right hand into Rockwell's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rockwell's gas tank.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Herculano lands a body punch.
Herculano slows down the pace here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Herminio Herculano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Rockwell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Herculano moves out of range as Rockwell throws a body kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Rockwell. That snapped Herculano's head back.
Rockwell does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rockwell throws a front kick aimed at Herculano's knee but Herculano avoids it well.
Herculano looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Herculano looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockwell swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Herculano.
Rockwell fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Herculano checks it well.
Rockwell sets himself, and Herculano steps forward looking for the clinch! Rockwell avoids it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herculano avoids the head kick by Rockwell.
Herculano steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Rockwell.
Rockwell connects with a leg kick. Herculano looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Herculano blocks a leg kick.
Herculano tries to counter with a clinch but Rockwell shakes him off and moves away.
Rockwell attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Herculano wants to counter with a clinch but Rockwell pushes him away.
Rockwell tries to score with a low kick but Herculano moves his leg out of the way.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Herculano! But no joy.
A big left from Rockwell misses.
Herculano tries to counter with a clinch but Rockwell shakes him off and moves away.
Chest Rockwell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Rockwell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
It seemed like Herculano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rockwell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rockwell throws a sloppy head kick and Herculano moves out of range easily.
Rockwell sets himself, and Herculano steps forward looking for the clinch! Rockwell avoids it this time.
Herculano drops his hands momentarily and Rockwell takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rockwell throws a shot from downtown. Herculano moves away and avoids it.
Herculano checks a low kick from Rockwell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell misses with a hook.
Herculano tries to counter by closing the distance.
The fighters circling - Rockwell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Herculano is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Rockwell throws a lazy uppercut
and Herculano counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Herculano blocks a leg kick.
Herculano wants to counter the offense by Rockwell and move into the clinch position.
Rockwell throws an off balance right hand
and Herculano counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rockwell lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rockwell is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Herculano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Herculano tries to counter by closing the distance.
Rockwell throws a chopping leg kick but Herculano manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Herculano steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Rockwell.
Rockwell misses with a few strikes there.
Herculano is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A jab from Rockwell misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rockwell misses with a leg kick
and Herculano counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rockwell tests Herculano's chin there with a solid looking shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chest Rockwell showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Herculano has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 David Hoff scores the fight for Herminio Herculano!
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight for Herminio Herculano!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Herminio Herculano!

Herminio Herculano wins by unanimous decision!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Herminio Herculano waved his t-shirt featuring Sully's Bar & Grill's logo in front of the cameras.