PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dean Hermano (ranked 8441 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rei Bourke (ranked 6406 p4p, 0 weight class). Dean Hermano has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hermano
vs
Bourke

177 cm
18
149 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
146 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dean Hermano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rei Bourke!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Bourke does it's job there.

It looks like Dean Hermano has been cut.
Hermano walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A shot to the body from Bourke misses
and Hermano counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hermano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bourke blocks a head kick by Hermano.
Bourke misses with a straight left.
Bourke uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hermano.
Rei Bourke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hermano tries a head kick but it misses.
Hermano has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Island Safe Space in the buildup to the fight.
Hermano misses with a two punch combination.
Bourke misses the shot to the body.
Bourke scores with a body shot.
Bourke throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
As Bourke looks to move away, Hermano throws a big counter combo but Bourke just gets out of the way.
Bourke throws a body shot but no joy.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hermano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hermano throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourke throws a lazy right hand but Hermano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bourke throws a hook but Hermano avoids it easily.
Bourke just misses with a punch to the body.
Hermano bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bourke's head backwards.
Hermano takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hermano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bourke.
Bourke scores with a hook to the body. Hermano takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bourke just misses with a punch to the body.
Bourke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hermano manages to avoid it.
Bourke connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hermano momentarily.
Hermano throws a series of punches but Bourke moves out of range.
Bourke lands a jab.
Bourke lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hermano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bourke lands the left hand.
Hermano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice shot by Bourke.
Bourke clobbers Hermano with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hermano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Bourke was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hermano throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bourke blocks a head kick by Hermano.
Bourke throws the left hand but Hermano avoids the punch easily.
Bourke avoids the head kick by Hermano.
Bourke scores with a punch to the head.
Hermano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bourke manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bourke throws a looping overhand right but Hermano ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourke circles away from the clinch attempt.
Decent striking displayed by Hermano there.
Bourke throws a poor cross that misses
and Hermano counters with a nice body shot.
Hermano lands with a good body shot.
Hermano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bourke.
The fighters circling - Bourke throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hermano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bourke manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hermano is looking to wear down Bourke with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bourke ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hermano moves away.
Bourke misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hermano.
Good exchange - Hermano coming out on top.
Bourke lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hermano circles away quickly and effectively.
Bourke steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hermano.
Bourke avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hermano slips a jab from Bourke.
It looked like Hermano was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bourke throws a poor cross that misses
and Hermano counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hermano misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bourke swings widly with a right hand
and Hermano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hermano scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Bourke misses with an uppercut. Hermano saw that one coming.
Hermano throws out a leg kick but Bourke moves out of range and Hermano only half commits.
Hermano takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bourke uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hermano.
Bourke throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bourke looks winded!
A jab lands there for Hermano.
Bourke misses with a lunging right hand
letting Hermano counter with a right hand.
Hermano tries to clinch up but Bourke circles away and keeps his distance.
Bourke ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hermano moves away.
Hermano swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rei Bourke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dean Hermano's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hermano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hermano tries to land a front kick but Bourke steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hermano tries to bum rush Bourke with a series of wild strikes but Bourke uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bourke, as that shot connected.
Dean Hermano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hermano misses with a series of wild punches.
Hermano takes a body punch but keeps moving.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hermano is trying to force a seperation but Bourke has the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Bourke.
A short right from Bourke.
Bourke blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hermano just leaning against Bourke, taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermano is trying to break free.
Bourke working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bourke pushes Hermano back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Bourke tries a body shot but Hermano blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Bourke as the two fighters clinch.
Bourke is working Hermano over against the cage.
Bourke working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bourke lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hermano wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A nice left hand lands by Bourke.
Bourke lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hermano backwards.

Bourke breaks from the clinch.
Bourke tries to bum rush Hermano with a series of wild strikes but Hermano uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hermano tries to clinch up.
Hermano is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hermano lands a jab to the nose.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hermano drives through and clinches with Bourke against the cage.
Bourke lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bourke lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bourke working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bourke working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bourke lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bourke lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bourke.
Bourke has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice left hand lands by Bourke.
Bourke makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Hermano is rocked!
Hermano tries to break the clinch but Bourke is controlling the position.
Hermano is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bourke is keeping busy.
A left hand lands to the body for Bourke.
Bourke lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hermano lands a hook that snaps the head of Bourke backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Bourke.
Hermano fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hermano wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hermano is trying to push Bourke away but Bourke has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bourke digs a right hand into Hermano's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hermano's gas tank.
A short right from Bourke on the inside.
Bourke scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hermano trying to land knees to the body.
Bourke is leaning against Hermano and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bourke.
Bourke lands an uppercut.
Bourke lands a right hand.
Oh Hermano is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bourke throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hermanos head.
Hermano tries to work over Bourke's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hermano is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bourke is defending well for now.
Hermano seems to have got his legs back now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bourke manages to break the clinch.
Bourke throws out a loose jab but Hermano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hermano throws a head kick that misses
and Hermano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bourke catches Hermano with a right, a left, a right. It's raining punches and Hermano forgot an umbrella! Another punch and he's down. This one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Rei Bourke!
An out of breath Rei Bourke thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.