PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hernando Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Brega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cortez
vs
Brega

177 cm
29
185 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
198 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Mango Nutrition (90% Laundry)
RMC - $ 11 Shorts!

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hernando Cortez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Brega!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cortez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Brega looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Cortez controlling the position from side mount.
Cortez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Brega keeps working.
Brega is trying to improve his position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Brega can do anything to dispel that myth.
The ground and pound from Cortez seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Cortez throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Brega works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Cortez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Brega keeps working.
Brega blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cortez.
Brega is trying to stand back up but Cortez is controlling him
Cortez wants to free his trapped foot but Brega is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cortez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cortez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cortez throwing shots but Brega is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cortez is looking to advance position but Brega won't allow it.
Cortez thows a huge punch but Brega dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez trying to control the action but Brega is working from the bottom.
Cortez trying to mount his opponent but Brega defends it.
Cortez thows a huge punch but Brega dodges it nicely.
Cortez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Brega's head.
Cortez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Brega's head.
Brega blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cortez.
Brega avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cortez.
Cortez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cortez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Brega defending well though.
Cortez throwing shots but Brega is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cortez 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.
Cortez working Brega over with strikes.
Cortez throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Brega to regain full guard.
Cortez tries to free his leg and advance position but Brega is retaining full guard.
Brega avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cortez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cortez distracts Brega with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cortez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cortez works over Brega with some ground and pound from guard.
Cortez trying to control the position from guard on top but Brega is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cortez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez is looking to work some ground and pound but Brega has wrist control.
Cortez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cortez working some strikes from top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cortez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Brega utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cortez chips away with some ground and pound.
Cortez trying to control but Brega is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brega keeping full guard, as Cortez tries to pass.
Cortez trying to control but Brega is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hernando Cortez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cortez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hernando Cortez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cortez slips a jab from Brega.
Cortez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Brega throws a lazy right hand but Cortez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Brega is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cortez with a poor takedown

and Brega holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hernando Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brega scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Hernando Cortez has been cut.

Cortez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Brega tries to clinch but Cortez is having none of it.
Cortez shoots and misses

and Brega holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Brega displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cortez up against the cage.
Brega lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brega is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Brega gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cortez wants to take the fight to the mat but Brega manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Brega tries to land a knee to the head but Cortez blocks with his arms.
Cortez is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Brega creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cortez's defenses.
Brega missing with knees to the body.
Cortez wants a takedown but no success here.
Brega throws an elbow that misses.
Cortez is trying to pull guard but Brega turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Cortez is working for takedown but Brega is calmly controlling the position for now.
Brega avoiding damage.
Cortez tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brega blocks a body shot from Cortez.
Cortez effectively controlling the action here.
Brega lands a nice elbow.
Brega creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Brega lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Brega tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Brega tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Brega tries to stall but Cortez uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Cortez is trying to drag Brega to the mat but Brega just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brega tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cortez avoids it.
Brega has Cortez pushed against the cage.
Cortez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Brega is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez tries to pull guard but Brega holds him up against the cage and eventually Cortez drops back down to his feet.
Cortez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Brega gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cortez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cortez blocks the elbow strike.

Cortez manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hernando Cortez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Brega postures up.
Cortez keeping moving, preventing Brega from controlling successfully.
Cortez trying to keep a closed guard but Brega is proving a slippery customer.
Cortez keeping moving, preventing Brega from controlling successfully.
Cortez looking to control but Brega passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cortez is on top in guard.
Cortez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Brega's head.
Cortez cracks Brega with a solid left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cortez throwing strikes but missing.
Cortez throwing strikes from guard but Brega blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brega keeping moving, preventing Cortez from controlling successfully.
Cortez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Brega's head.
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 Hernando Cortez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hernando Cortez's cut.
That's time! Cortez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Cortez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Brega pinned against the cage. Brega gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cortez with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Brega counter with a right hand.
Cortez tries for a takedown but Brega circles away easily
and Brega counters with a left to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hernando Cortez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brega is looking to clinch.
Cortez slips a straight right by Brega.

Cortez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Brega napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Brega is looking to reverse the position.
Cortez throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Brega works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Brega is trying to stand up here but Cortez is controlling him well.
Cortez trying to pass the guard but Brega defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez prevents Brega from improving his position.
Brega moves into full guard.
Cortez throws a big right hand that misses.
Cortez trying to control the position from guard on top but Brega is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cortez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Brega works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Brega is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cortez is in close to Brega's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez throwing strikes but missing.
Cortez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Brega wants to sweep but no luck.
Cortez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Cortez drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Brega manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Cortez has Brega in his guard.
Cortez is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cortez is trying to control the position but Brega postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brega trying to control but Cortez is working from the bottom.
Brega stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cortez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cortez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Brega is one step ahead there.
Brega throwing strikes but missing.
Cortez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Brega cracks Cortez with a solid left hand.
Cortez is trying to control the position but Brega postures up.
Brega landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Cortez looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cortez wants to sweep here but Brega controlling him for the moment.
Brega postures up.
Brega must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cortez keeping moving, preventing Brega from controlling successfully.
Cortez pulls Brega in close to prevent any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cortez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hernando Cortez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cortez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Cesar scores the fight for Hernando Cortez!
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight for Hernando Cortez!
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight for Hernando Cortez!

Hernando Cortez wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Hernando Cortez thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.