Ruslan Provodnikov vs. Mauricio Herrera/Demetrius Andrade vs. Alberto Herrera RBR

Round 9

Provodnikov is reaching in and hooking both arms inside while Herrera #2 backpedals and flurries low. Herrera #2 is controlling range now and launching jabs and right hands from 2-3 paces away. Long body shots from Herrera #2. Provodnikov is trying to stay squared up but losing Herrera #2 across the ring. Provodnikov finally jabs but Herrera #2 is just out of reach.

10-9 Mauricio Herrera

88-83 Provodnikov

 

Round 10

Herrera #2 is landing lots of long, straight punches - all unanswered. Provodnikov's aggression is currently ineffective as Herrera's legs are still fresh enough to keep him well outside, with Provodnikov swiping at nothing. Herrera #2 winds up trapped against the ropes and eats a 1-2 but quickly clinches up as Provodnikov tries to drop the hammer a few more times. Herrera #2 slips his way outside after they split, and then body-tops his way into another clinch. Provodnikov misses several punches but keeps Herrera moving and jabbing, with his mouth open. Provodnikov whacks him with a right before the bell.

Herrera won another one but may pay a price for it in the championship rounds.

 

Round 11

Provodnikov starts finding a home for the jab, taking his time and really giving it the Luke Skywalker treatment. Herrera #2 is throwing much less than in the previous couple of rounds, focusing more on staying outside in a defensive shell and flicking out a few defensive jabs. Herrera #2 suddenly seizes advantage of a lull and strings together a combo upstairs. Provodnikov keeps walking him down, and hooks off his jab and then jabs off the hook. Herrera #2 throws a sloppy 1-2 and continues to mouth-breathe. Provodnikov is not getting anything easy now, with Herrera #2 flapping his arms every time they get close.

 

Maybe someone at ESPN will just say "ah **** it" and show commercials until 12:30. :deal

 

Round 12

Provodnikov throws heavy but slow hooks and Herrera #2 flings straight punches into his face from mid-range. They come together and Herrera #2 works the body. Provodnikov throws a lazy jab that gets Herrera #2 to duck into a clinch. Provodnikov has very little speed on his punches now but still puts them together in bunches and forces Herrera #2 to tuck his chin and drive in to try and grab Provodnikov. Herrera is still throwing punches on the way in. Provodnikov sends out the welcome wagon steered by a hammer-like right hand as Herrera rushes in to wrap him up. Provodnikov stumbles a bit as he tries to step back and get off one more big power flurry, but Herrera keeps gumming up the works with his own hands and feet as they trade to the bell.

Nice fight.