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SportsTranscript
00:00 Okay, fellas, you both have been given the rules.
00:02 I'm expecting good, clean boxing.
00:04 When I say break, stop punching.
00:06 Take a full step back.
00:07 Remember, protect yourselves at all times.
00:09 Touch 'em up.
00:10 Tukawanti.
00:11 Buenas noches.
00:12 Good luck.
00:13 >> Nico Hernandez in our main event.
00:15 It's Triller Fight Club here in Augusta, Georgia, on Fight.
00:19 Make sure to subscribe.
00:20 $7.99 a month for Triller Fight Club events.
00:23 Also BKFC, also GCW, as well among a litany of other combat sports.
00:29 Entities here on Fight Plus.
00:31 But it is Nico Hernandez looking to remain undefeated as he takes on the Nicaraguan
00:36 Ernesto Irayez, Ray Flores, Paulie Melanaggi here in Augusta, Georgia.
00:41 See that.
00:43 Nico very proud of where he's from in Wichita, Kansas.
00:46 The Olympic bronze medalist back at the 2016 Games in Rio.
00:51 >> I was going to say, Irayez is not listening to this album.
00:53 Oh, he turned right-handed.
00:55 Weird, what Tukawanti did.
00:57 I'm going to tell you that.
00:59 That was attention.
01:00 >> Even Nico sort of looks over at us and says, "Okay, I see where he's coming from."
01:05 >> Now Nico turned southpaw.
01:08 Now they're both southpaw.
01:09 It's interesting, a little gamesmanship from both guys.
01:12 >> We saw Nico Hernandez back on February 24th.
01:15 The win over Hilberto Mendoza.
01:17 Also prior to that last year, December 11th, the win over Jae Young Kim in Seoul, South Korea.
01:24 On the undercard of Manny Pacquiao, DKU.
01:27 That terrific event out there in South Korea.
01:32 Here he is in the main event, taking on Ernesto Irayez here in Augusta, Georgia.
01:39 Good jab for Nico Hernandez.
01:41 It is clear with Hernandez, though, he always has the fundamentals.
01:44 He's very fast.
01:45 He's elusive.
01:48 10-0, four knockouts, a 40% knockout percentage for the Wichita, Kansas product.
01:55 Right to the body by Hernandez, followed by a left hook.
02:00 >> He's got a stubborn guy in front of him, I'll tell you that.
02:03 >> Irayez isn't looking to give up one inch of that ring.
02:08 Also, I commend the crowd here in Augusta, Paulie.
02:11 They have been here since the first fight of the night.
02:13 Very enthusiastic crowd.
02:17 Irayez going forward, looking to smack Hernandez with the left hook.
02:24 Also, want to thank our promoters, Avi here, along with Triller Fight Club.
02:30 Top rope promotions as well, Christopher Rucker.
02:36 Also want to thank our great friend Vince for helping us out all night long,
02:41 and all week long for that matter.
02:43 >> Irayez with some awkward punches, and also looking to make it a physical fight.
02:46 You see, Hernandez trying to load up and land some big shots, especially to the body.
02:51 Might want to take some of the steam off some of the shots so he can set up the harder ones as well.
02:56 Maybe, you know, go up and down the gears a little bit.
03:01 It looks like he's giving Irayez what he wants.
03:03 Irayez looks like he wants to trade, he wants to make it a physical fight.
03:07 >> Yeah, Irayez, no stranger to wanting to mix it up.
03:09 I mean, you don't come from Nicaragua, and the world that he came from,
03:14 and not be a tough customer.
03:16 There's a right hand backing up Irayez for a brief moment.
03:22 >> Hernandez has to be careful letting himself get backed up like this against the ropes.
03:25 He's here, even though he does decent work here, he's also being smothered.
03:28 >> Got a right hand by Hernandez.
03:33 And that'll end the first round.
03:35 ♪♪
03:46 >> The Nicaraguan Irayez came to fight, though.
03:49 ♪♪
03:56 >> Ernesto Irayez, who hasn't won a fight since December 18, 2020,
04:01 looks solid in that first round.
04:03 >> Yeah, you see, he gets Nico Hernandez going straight back, which you never want to do.
04:05 Hernandez tries to catch and shoot there with the left hook, but ultimately he got backed up.
04:10 And that's what you don't want to do.
04:11 Irayez will try to get his momentum coming forward, and you've got to try to catch him coming,
04:15 you know, or step around him.
04:16 You don't want to go straight back all the time.
04:18 I guess at times it can happen, but Hernandez a couple times in that round was made to go straight back
04:23 off the pressure of Irayez, and he wound up on the ropes.
04:28 >> And don't forget to text TFC to 75303 for all of the latest updates from Triller Sports.
04:33 Again, text TFC to 75303 for all of the latest updates from Triller Sports.
04:38 Round two set to begin here in Augusta.
04:40 Nico Hernandez starting off southpaw there with a nice straight left on Irayez.
04:47 >> Another one. >> Another one.
04:49 >> Good left hook there from his outpost stance.
04:51 >> He goes back to conventional, does Hernandez.
04:55 >> Nico Hernandez wants to make some noise.
04:58 He believes that he is a fight or two away from getting involved in an Eliminator fight
05:02 with his ultimate go-to challenge for a world title here in the flyweight division.
05:07 >> Again, going straight back, and again he gets his uphold going straight back.
05:12 >> Ernesto Irayez, though, not backing away.
05:15 >> Good up-counter inside. >> Left hook for Irayez.
05:20 Wisely, though, for Hernandez, he ties up.
05:22 >> I just think, you know, when you're in a limping, you have the fundamentals down in the back of your pocket, right?
05:27 And Hernandez, though, not really trying to fight with the fundamentals, trying to throw power shots
05:31 and change stances and, you know, make it a little bit of a complicated fight.
05:35 And maybe that's what he wants to do, but I think he complicates his life against a guy like Irayez,
05:39 who was--you're kind of inviting him to the party when you do that.
05:42 He kind of likes that kind of fight.
05:44 >> So essentially what you want is more of the technical skills of Nico Hernandez to be on full display.
05:51 You know, use that jab, set up off that jab, everything off that jab.
05:54 Right now it hasn't really been that.
05:56 As Hernandez, every time Irayez turns right-handed, he turns southpaw,
05:59 and every time Irayez turns southpaw, Hernandez goes back to right-handed.
06:03 >> There's a left for Hernandez, another one.
06:07 >> I think Hernandez actually winning this round, I just think he's making it more difficult by himself overall,
06:12 as we're halfway point of it.
06:14 >> Nico Hernandez, he hasn't gotten a stoppage victory.
06:21 You have to go back to that of May 19, 2018.
06:25 >> And that's the thing, when you don't have that kind of stopping power,
06:32 you want to make sure you have some of those fundamentals down pat very well,
06:36 enough to control the pace of the fighting and get your opponent to respect you and fight your fight.
06:42 And giving yourself these kind of trading fights without having that kind of power,
06:46 it becomes very difficult at a higher level.
06:48 >> Under a minute left of the second round,
06:55 Nico Hernandez with five straight wins by decision.
07:00 So, for Nico Hernandez, it is a bit perplexing here, Paulie,
07:04 that he isn't trying to utilize his pure boxing skill.
07:07 I think he just has that in his mind, "I want to get a stoppage."
07:11 >> He's gotten one, as I mentioned, since that of May 19, 2018.
07:17 He stopped Sylvester Canales in the first round.
07:20 There's a nice right hand by Hernandez.
07:24 >> He's having a good round.
07:26 Like I said, he's having a good round.
07:28 I think he's also complicating things.
07:30 >> Anayez hammered away upon Nico Hernandez, but nothing really landed.
07:35 Just a lot of arm shots.
07:36 >> But again, Anayez likes his kind of fight.
07:38 Even if nothing's landing except on the arms, he's touching something,
07:41 so it's keeping his confidence levels high enough to want to keep fighting.
07:44 >> That'll end the second round.
07:46 Also, happy birthday, happy 40th birthday to Triller Fight Club's very own,
07:50 John Bailey.
07:51 He is a master when it comes to putting on quality promos and in-depth videos,
07:57 previewing Triller Fight Club events.
07:59 Happy 40th birthday to John Bailey.
08:02 We miss you, buddy, and hope to see you soon.
08:04 [music]
08:12 >> Go back and take a look at that second round from Nico Hernandez
08:18 headed to Nestor Giraiz.
08:20 As we take a look, Paulie here with Giraiz throwing a lot of arm punches,
08:27 but it's the kind of fight he likes.
08:29 >> Yeah, I mean, Nico gets him involved.
08:31 I thought Nico had himself a pretty good round,
08:33 landed some good shots, had some good movement,
08:35 but ultimately he spent a lot of time in the pocket as well,
08:37 where Giraiz loves it.
08:39 >> And now we get ready for the third round.
08:45 This one is scheduled for eight.
08:48 Nico Hernandez once again starting off softball,
08:51 unloads a straight left that caught the top of the head of Ernesto Giraiz.
09:00 Now Hernandez going back to that jab.
09:04 The guy's looking at crowd.
09:08 Hernandez, Nico very proud of where he's from.
09:12 He's got Kansas on the back, Wichita on the front.
09:15 They love him in Wichita, no doubt about it.
09:18 >> So again, if you've got a--using a consistent jab,
09:23 you can keep a guy like Giraiz--Giraiz at bay.
09:27 >> Yeah, you know, you can get him a little second-guessing himself.
09:30 You can change the rhythm on him, change the timing on him,
09:32 and sort of keep him guessing, and you keep him at this distance.
09:35 But you see, at this distance,
09:37 Hernandez is more so throwing power shots and closing the gap,
09:40 which, of course, he's-- again, he's having himself another good round,
09:43 but it's giving Giraiz a chance to also be able to get into a combative--
09:46 a combative type of fight, which is what he wants.
09:49 >> So what you're saying is that Hernandez can work a bit smarter, not harder.
09:52 >> Well, I think in this fight, I don't think it's gonna cost him,
09:55 but I think at a higher level, you know, he's gonna have to show some of that
09:58 because it will make it a lot harder on his life.
10:02 >> Good combination from Hernandez.
10:06 Another couple lead right hands that have found their mark
10:10 for the 27-year-old Olympic bronze medalist.
10:13 Some hooks to the body by Hernandez.
10:24 >> Good combination, good speed.
10:26 >> I do like the body work that we are witnessing here
10:29 in this third frame from Nico.
10:32 >> Yeah, he's made it more conservative after the body hit.
10:35 He's a good shot there from Giraiz.
10:38 >> Yeah, against a guy who is a rugged competitor,
10:41 like Ernesto Giraiz, you have to find a way to take some steam away from him.
10:46 There's a big left hook that caught the attention of Anika Raghavan,
10:50 followed by a right hand from Hernandez.
10:53 >> Turn it out! Turn it out!
10:56 >> Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there,
11:04 including our executive producer, Will Wright.
11:07 Him and his lovely wife.
11:10 They have a girl and they're expecting another one on the way
11:13 coming up in the fall. >> Back to back.
11:16 >> Very happy for Will and his family, and right now Nico Hernandez
11:20 looking to make a statement here against Ernesto Giraiz.
11:24 Straight left by Nico, a right hook that caught the jaw of Giraiz.
11:30 >> Giraiz is trying, but Nico is a bit too shifty for him.
11:35 >> Again, Giraiz looking to close this third round big.
11:40 They're going toe to toe here, wants to keep them alive in the fence.
11:44 Here against the Georgia.
11:46 >> The shorter punches in there were all by Hernandez.
11:48 >> Yeah, as a matter of fact, I don't think any of what Giraiz threw got through.
11:51 But again, this kind of fight keeps him hungry to keep fighting.
11:55 It keeps him confident enough to say, "Okay, I'm touching something."
11:58 Even though Hernandez is landing the better shots.
12:01 Remember, you want to beat a guy physically,
12:05 and you also want to discourage him mentally.
12:08 >> Go back earlier in the round from that, the third,
12:13 with Nico Hernandez headed Ernesto Giraiz.
12:16 [music]
12:19 >> See, that end of that round was all fire.
12:28 If you'll notice, Hernandez punches in between Giraiz
12:33 and was landing on the inside of Giraiz's punches.
12:41 >> Coming up on round four, Nico Hernandez and Ernesto Giraiz.
12:46 This is Triller Fight Club, The Awakening.
12:49 Nico Hernandez in our main event,
12:51 who is looking to go to 11-0, taking on Ernesto Giraiz of Nicaragua.
12:56 What I do like about Hernandez is that he starts off very strong
13:02 to begin the round already to give Giraiz a sense of doubt in his mind.
13:06 >> Yeah, yeah, he's trying to take control of the round
13:09 right from the first moments of it.
13:11 >> You know what with Nico, he has doubt with his fair share of adversity.
13:19 I mentioned the fact that he was shot in the leg,
13:21 and he thought, you know, he started thinking that he wasn't going to survive.
13:24 He did, and the doctors told him, "You'll never fight again."
13:27 He proved them wrong, and now he's on this comeback trail.
13:30 But I think this is probably the last fight,
13:33 I mean, he fought in South Korea against a Korean that was 6-1.
13:37 Got the win there, but now I think this is the last kind of rugged journeyman
13:42 that he's going to be fighting.
13:43 I think he wants to take on some of the top guys in the division moving forward.
13:47 >> Yeah, and I think, you know, these kind of fights get you prepared
13:50 as you step up to the level,
13:52 but you also want to make sure you're working on the things
13:54 that you know you're going to need against that higher caliber fighter.
13:58 >> Double left hook to the body, Nico hammering away upon
14:03 the right side of the ribcage of Idaeus.
14:07 >> Idaeus is testing Nico psychologically.
14:09 He's trying to keep pressing him and pressing him,
14:11 trying to bother him, maybe make him fall apart.
14:13 But Nico keeps responding to the challenge
14:16 by letting go of those speedy combinations on the inside.
14:18 But Idaeus is going to keep trying, and this is what I'm saying,
14:20 as you go up the ladder, you're going to deal with more of these kind of guys
14:23 who get better and better, so you're going to have to find different ways
14:26 of being tricky to control the pace.
14:28 You're not going to be able to fight your way to a comfortable pace.
14:30 You're going to have to learn how to be deceptive as well.
14:33 >> Idaeus is providing what you like to so eloquently describe
14:38 as mental pressure that he's putting on Nico Hernandez.
14:41 >> Yeah, exactly. It's mental pressure, but Nico's responding well to it.
14:44 But again, as you go up the ladder, you're going to have to learn
14:47 that you can't always fight your way out of these pressure situations.
14:50 You've also got to be deceiving and cunning in these situations.
14:53 You know, drop a little feint, change the look,
14:55 use your jab consistently, things that will buy you time
14:58 and won't have to make you fight your way out of every tough situation.
15:01 Right now, Nico has to fight his way out of every tough situation
15:04 that Idaeus puts him in, and Nico's a better fighter than Idaeus,
15:06 so he's doing a good job in his win.
15:08 He's got the faster hands, putting together good combinations,
15:11 but ultimately, you know, you're going to have to add those other tricks to the bag.
15:15 This is fine.
15:16 >> There's a lot of talk that connected for Idaeus,
15:18 probably his best punch in a few rounds.
15:20 >> This is fine. It's going to get you the win here,
15:22 but--and it's nothing to throw away, but you want to add to that.
15:25 You don't want to just be dependent just on this kind of thing.
15:29 And you practice in these kind of fights.
15:31 So when I see Nico not practicing in these kind of fights,
15:34 it means that maybe he doesn't have that in his repertoire yet,
15:37 and something he can work on.
15:38 >> Do you think that Hernandez is so focused on trying to get a stoppage,
15:42 there's a right that momentarily buckled the knees of Idaeus,
15:46 but that he wants that stoppage for the first time in a while?
15:49 >> Yeah, but you can still go for it in different ways.
15:51 You know, like, you can still--you first off,
15:53 the way you get to a stoppage anyway is you make the other guy respect your pace.
15:57 And Nico hasn't been able to really make Idaeus respect the pace
16:00 that Nico wants to fight at.
16:01 So he's been constantly fighting, bringing it at a heavy pace,
16:04 and Nico's answering every single time,
16:06 so Nico is not bothered by the pace Idaeus is bringing.
16:09 But still, Idaeus is making the pace of this fight.
16:11 So when you're going to get a stoppage, first and foremost,
16:13 you start by psychologically making your opponent understand
16:16 that we're going to fight at my pace, not your pace tonight.
16:18 >> We'll go back and revisit some of the work of the 27-year-old from Wichita, Kansas.
16:25 >> I see some of that work there by Hernandez again with those fast hands.
16:31 And a lot of times, those hands are so fast,
16:33 good little deceptive combination there,
16:35 left, right, left, left hooks, up and down, up and down.
16:38 And a lot of times, you know, Idaeus really is not able to punch back
16:42 because the punches are coming so fast.
16:44 But when Nico Hernandez stopped moving his feet,
16:46 Idaeus is able to get off some shots.
16:48 Not saying they're landing better than when Hernandez is landing,
16:50 but again, it's keeping him alive.
16:52 It's keeping him confident enough to keep coming back and pressuring Hernandez.
16:55 >> Round 5, Ray Flores, the champ,
16:57 Paulie Malignaggi, Triller Fight Club,
16:59 and a nice fight hand for Nico Hernandez to begin this fifth frame.
17:04 Here in Augusta, Georgia, the hometown of the late great Vernon Forrest,
17:12 also Paul Williams.
17:15 Now Nico's starting to open up even that much more,
17:18 an overhand right, but he got clocked with a left hook from Idaeus.
17:21 >> And that's what you put yourself in position to do.
17:23 You do good work, but whenever you're constantly fighting guys off,
17:26 you also put yourself in position to take those kind of shots
17:28 because you're fighting guys off all the time
17:30 and not, you know, getting them off of you in other deceptive ways.
17:34 >> There's a left hook connecting for Nico Hernandez.
17:37 For the most part, Hernandez has been dominating this fight against Idaeus,
17:43 but there have been moments where he has gotten hit from unnecessary punches,
17:47 and Paulie, as you point out, as you get up to that higher level,
17:51 you can't afford to get hit with those shots.
17:54 >> Well, you know what it is, it's not so much the individual shots,
17:57 it's the decisions Nico makes in order to give an opponent a chance
18:00 to have the opportunity to land those kind of shots.
18:03 You want to get used to making smart decisions in these kind of fights.
18:07 These kind of pressure guys, they're going to be there for the long haul,
18:09 they're lasting, they're going to take you to this,
18:11 so you can get used to working on the things,
18:13 the moments of making smart decisions against them
18:15 so that those smart decisions sort of stay in your brain
18:18 when you're fighting those tougher fights.
18:19 Idaeus ain't going anywhere, man.
18:21 You can fight him off all you want.
18:23 Hernandez doesn't have that kind of power to disrupt the pressure of Idaeus.
18:28 But Idaeus is getting tired, you know, he's getting beat on,
18:30 and you can see his punches are a little bit more arm-weary,
18:32 but nonetheless, he's going to keep trying to mentally pressure you.
18:35 >> I would like to see Hernandez go back to some of that body punching
18:38 that served him well in the first two rounds.
18:43 We are approaching the one-minute mark of this fifth round.
18:50 There's a right that misses by Hernandez.
18:55 There's a nice sneaky left that jacked the jaw of Idaeus.
18:59 >> Yeah, and he found that home by stepping over to his right really quickly,
19:03 finding and making the angle and using that left hand.
19:05 >> What I love about Nico Hernandez, aside from his hand speed,
19:08 is he's so quick with his speed.
19:10 His footwork is impeccable.
19:12 >> Yeah, he's able to change the angles, change the spot where he's at,
19:19 and he's able to punch off those different moves.
19:21 >> There is a reason why Nico Hernandez was an Olympic bronze medalist
19:25 and was so highly touted coming out of the 2016 Games in Rio.
19:34 There are certain guys that are born to be fighters.
19:37 Nico Hernandez is one of them.
19:38 He loves to fight, loves to compete, and I think he realizes how fortunate
19:43 and how blessed he is to be able to have the opportunity to continue to fight.
19:47 >> Yeah, and he does it well.
19:49 That's how he was fighting Idaeus.
19:51 >> Oh, no doubt.
19:52 Certain guys, and that's the way it is.
19:55 15-7 and one, his record.
19:57 He came to fight indeed.
19:59 [music playing]
20:04 >> Speed ain't got no brakes.
20:05 Let's go.
20:07 [music playing]
20:12 [music playing]
20:32 [music playing]
20:51 >> Approaching round six here in Augusta, Georgia
21:01 between Nico Hernandez and Ernesto Idaeus.
21:05 So far, Paulie, I think that Nico is winning every single round at most.
21:10 You could maybe give Idaeus maybe one round at the max.
21:13 >> Yeah, I think Idaeus probably won the first round, but other than that,
21:15 I think Hernandez has got his bearings going.
21:19 It's been too quick, too sharp for Idaeus, who's just kept bringing the pace
21:24 and has landed--has done enough to keep himself confident enough
21:28 to stay in the fight and keep the pressure on, you know?
21:31 >> What would you like to see out of Nico Hernandez in these final three rounds?
21:35 >> Again, I just want to see more deceptive ways to control the pace.
21:39 That's a nice little side step and use that left hand.
21:41 But again, he's got Idaeus on him right now.
21:43 He's maybe settled down a little bit, used a little bit more head movement,
21:46 used a little bit of the jab.
21:47 Idaeus is frustrated because Hernandez's feet are fast,
21:49 but that's not going to do anything.
21:51 >> Look at Idaeus.
21:52 He's trying to bait Nico, and Nico's like, "No, no, no.
21:55 This is boxing."
21:57 >> And, of course, boxing, it means you're using your jab
21:59 and controlling the pace on the outside.
22:01 So--and that's what I'd like to see him do,
22:03 because, again, if you don't have the crazy power,
22:05 you're either going to have to overwhelm your opponent constantly
22:08 with crazy amount of punches like Juan Diaz used to do,
22:11 or you're going to have to, you know, be deceptive and slick with your jab.
22:15 And Hernandez has those slick moves, the fast hands,
22:20 so I think he has that ability in him.
22:22 He just has to work on it in the gym.
22:24 If he's going to become like Juan Diaz,
22:25 he'd become a forward, banging away constantly.
22:27 I don't think he's going to become that kind of fighter.
22:29 But he's got the athletic ability,
22:30 as long as he adds the intelligence and the decision-making inside in the fights.
22:35 >> And I think that Nico just has to continue to build upon his speed,
22:40 and, you know, they always say that speed is so dangerous,
22:46 especially in prize fighting.
22:48 And I do believe that Nico will be able to find
22:51 and get some stoppages along the way as he moves up in competition,
22:55 but I think that he just has to, you know, focus in on certain things,
23:00 attack the body more, utilize his jab, double up, triple up on the jab,
23:04 and that'll set up those big power shots that he so covets.
23:08 >> There's some blood now, I know.
23:09 It didn't come out of the nose of Diaz.
23:13 >> There's a right hook to the body by Hernandez.
23:18 And honestly, too, Paulie, I mean, look, sometimes guys are built to be knockout artists,
23:24 and maybe Nico Hernandez isn't one of those guys.
23:27 I mean, look, you didn't have the highest knockout percentage,
23:30 but you did pretty darn well in your pro career being a multiple-time world champion,
23:34 a two-division world champion.
23:36 >> Yeah, yeah, and that's why I can recognize the things that Nico would need to add to his style.
23:40 You know, a big shot there again.
23:42 He's got that nice little side step.
23:43 He's using it a lot.
23:45 I think that's probably what's busted the nose of Diaz.
23:47 A little side step to the right and then come back with that left hand.
23:50 But, you know, because I see that he doesn't have the crazy amount of power,
23:54 I know the different tricks and tools he might want to add to his repertoire
23:59 as he goes up the ladder against a better opposition.
24:02 >> Yeah, the nuances that will serve you well at the championship level.
24:05 >> Yeah.
24:07 [crowd chanting]
24:09 >> Go back and revisit round number six, and here is Diaz.
24:24 He was saying, "Come on. Let's go toe to toe."
24:27 But Nico says, "Yeah, okay. Not going to fall into that trap."
24:30 And he goes, "Fight me in the center of the ring."
24:32 >> Yeah, and that's just frustration on the part of Diaz.
24:34 He's outspent every time, and so he doesn't have the speed to keep up with Hernandez.
24:39 So he's trying to say, "Hey, stay still so I can hit you."
24:42 And Hernandez is obviously not going to do that.
24:44 >> It's almost like playing baseball, power hitter who has been struck out,
24:53 who's struck out three times, he's had to play it a fourth time against a pitcher,
24:56 has to say, "Hey, throw me a fastball down the middle so I can hit a homer
24:59 or have a chance at a homer."
25:00 >> Yeah, exactly.
25:01 >> Not going to happen.
25:02 >> He's basically telling him, "I dare you to throw a fastball. Try to blow one by me."
25:05 And then he'll be looking fastball and try to catch it, of course.
25:07 >> Exactly.
25:08 Certainly not the case.
25:10 Nico Hernandez is likely pitching a near shutout here against Ernesto Iraez,
25:15 Ray Flores, Paulie Malinagi.
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25:32 So far it has been pretty much the same thing for Nico Hernandez.
25:36 Starts early, attacks the body.
25:39 I'd like to see him focus on the body more,
25:41 but those are just those little intricacies that we would like to see out of Hernandez moving forward.
25:48 >> I mean, you know, he changes the angle, he sidesteps a lot,
25:53 so he changes the angle and confuses Iraez.
25:56 Iraez can't find him, and also Iraez finds himself being hit from the side.
26:00 He finds himself being hit from the angle he doesn't see coming.
26:05 >> Iraez is probably thinking, "I'm fighting a Ruben Rubik's Cube that can punch back at me."
26:11 So that is what Iraez is dealing with right now with Nico Hernandez.
26:15 >> Yeah, he just-- it's been the speed that's carried today for Hernandez,
26:25 and obviously the combination punching.
26:27 He's been able to throw those combination punches.
26:30 >> Yes. His hand speed, his foot speed.
26:33 >> Foot speed as well, exactly.
26:35 >> I mean, he's just very much in sync as Nico Hernandez.
26:39 I mean, you know what? I believe that Nico Hernandez is an underrated athlete.
26:43 Some guys, when they are just professional prize fighters,
26:46 people don't look at how great of an athlete they are.
26:49 And athleticism is such a big part of prize fighting.
26:52 One fighter that stands out to me probably more than most is that of the bronze bomber, Deontay Wilder.
26:58 He is a fantastic athlete and just does things that you're like, "How is that even possible?"
27:05 And he makes them happen, and obviously the power is a byproduct of that.
27:09 >> Yeah, but I think Hernandez's ability to switch around fluidly
27:13 because right hand left feet, throw his combinations, find the angle,
27:16 that's a testament to his athleticism.
27:19 Now, the fighter in him has also obviously got fighting spirit,
27:22 and that's where you want to see some of the smarter decisions to control the pace a little bit.
27:26 But ultimately, against this kind of opposition, again, he's going to be too quick.
27:30 He's winning this fight due to his athleticism.
27:33 He's been the faster fighter. He's been the quicker guy.
27:36 He's been the guy who can throw the better combinations because of his speed.
27:39 You know, the athleticism has carried the day for him.
27:42 >> Niko has not been in any danger whatsoever as we near the end of the penultimate round
27:50 as we embark on round number 8.
27:54 It has been a clinical-like performance for the Olympic bronze medalist out of Wichita, Kansas.
28:06 >> Good combination at the bell by Hernandez, and a little hook at the end of the bell for...
28:11 >> Nice lasting impression there is for Niko Hernandez.
28:19 And more of the work from the 27-year-old out of Wichita, Kansas.
28:25 >> Good timing shot over the top of the jab by Hernandez, and then he followed it up with a combination.
28:30 That's where he does well. He does follow up anything he lands with good combinations.
28:34 A lot of times, I think, actually he ends up staying in the pocket a little too long.
28:38 He switches around. And again, the contact gives a chance for Edaias.
28:43 And this is the thing right here. You see, when you create a pace that's really, really fast,
28:48 a lot of times you'll draw your opponent into that kind of pace.
28:51 And when he gets close, he wants to do that too.
28:53 And then Hernandez also has to be a little bit more deceptive in the way he initiates those clenches,
28:57 not to make it so obvious.
28:59 >> Eighth and final round we go.
29:02 Ernesto Edaias trying to get some support from the fans here in Augusta, Georgia.
29:06 The fans enjoying the effort that they are seeing by Ernesto Edaias for Nico Hernandez.
29:12 Very much like a doctor, back to work at the office.
29:16 >> You can see Edaias yelling some stuff across the ring,
29:20 probably hoping that Hernandez stays still for a little bit.
29:22 >> He's certainly trying to bait Hernandez in a toe-to-toe battle,
29:26 but Hernandez not having any of that.
29:29 >> There's a little bit of swelling in the eye of Hernandez as well, the left eye.
29:32 >> A little bit of swelling underneath the left eye of Nico Hernandez.
29:37 I wonder if that was caused from a punch, a punch or a clash of heads on the inside.
29:40 >> Who knows? They have been kind of flying in at each other at times.
29:44 Of course, they've been in opposite stances for a large majority of the fight.
29:48 >> I think Edaias is probably thinking, I mean, you never want to look at,
29:52 you know, even in a losing cause, at some of those, you know, those wins that you can count on.
29:58 But I think for Edaias, he's like, "All right, you know, I messed up his eye a little bit.
30:01 That's a little bit of a win in my book."
30:03 >> Yeah, you know, I mean, Edaias is a guy who is trying to get back on the winning track himself.
30:07 But he can take a little bit of a moral victory here against losing a decision
30:11 against a guy like Hernandez who's, you know, Olympic bronze medalist and has the resume.
30:15 You say, "You know what?" You can say you troubled him and you did your work.
30:18 Because, you know, Edaias has caused Hernandez to have to work.
30:20 And there's an example of a possible head clash.
30:22 You see Hernandez kind of flies in sometimes.
30:24 Again, that's not using your fundamentals.
30:26 Kind of trying to slide in sometimes.
30:28 And again, being in the opposite stance, sometimes you walk into a headbutt.
30:32 >> Good shot there. Now going toe to toe.
30:34 Hernandez willing to go toe to toe with Ernesto Edaias.
30:37 >> Yeah. And of course, Edaias is what he wants.
30:39 Because that's the only shot he's got at landing anything.
30:41 Because he's just not fast enough to keep up with Hernandez.
30:44 >> We're coming up on the midway point of the final round.
30:47 Well, even though Edaias is getting some moral victories at the end of the day,
30:54 likely in the win column, when it means the most on the pro boxing record,
30:59 Nico Hernandez will remain undefeated.
31:01 There's a big left that snapped back the head of Edaias.
31:04 >> Edaias going straight back after throwing the combination.
31:07 You don't want to do that. You want to step around or step in.
31:09 And you've got Corb going straight back after throwing his combination.
31:13 >> And for Nico Hernandez, look, you know, he dealt with a little bit of adversity,
31:17 some swelling, and go back to the drawing board.
31:20 This is his second fight this year.
31:22 Looking to get another fight, I'm sure, sooner rather than later.
31:27 >> See, Edaias, anytime he gets close, Edaias lets those hands, tries to let those hands go.
31:32 He gets outspent, but he's working every time.
31:34 >> Edaias is one of those guys that can make a good amount of money
31:38 as a young guy who can test a prospect.
31:43 If you are a promoter or matchmaker, you want to have your young prospect
31:48 or your young contender take on a guy like Ernesto Edaias to see where he really is.
31:53 >> Yeah, he doesn't have all the skill, but he has a lot of the will.
31:55 So he'll push your prospect into, you know, make him question himself
32:00 and have to dig down a little bit, as Hernandez has had to do tonight.
32:03 Hernandez has won a relatively easy decision tonight,
32:05 but he's had to push himself in terms of the pace he's had to fight in order to win this fight
32:09 and make it easy on himself.
32:11 >> But for Nico Hernandez, likely...
32:15 Big, big hand by Edaias, but back goes Hernandez.
32:18 Oh, my goodness, what an end to the fight here in Augusta.
32:23 And the fans enjoying what they're seeing here.
32:27 The Trailer Fight Club on Fight TV.
32:30 This Augusta fan base certainly appreciating the fight from both men and the tenacity.
32:38 >> Some fireworks at the belt.
32:40 >> Yeah, and, you know, we're not even on the Fourth of July yet, Paulie.
32:43 [cheers and applause]
32:46 >> So Nico Hernandez and Ernesto Edaias go the distance.
32:51 Eight entertaining rounds of action.
32:54 Here's the end of the round.
32:57 As both men win at it, you're seeing that Ernesto Edaias barreling right in to Nico Hernandez,
33:06 and Hernandez willing to oblige.
33:08 There's an overhand right that connected for Edaias,
33:10 but back came Nico Hernandez with a combination of his own.
33:13 >> Oh, yeah, they wanted to both finish stronger.
33:16 I think these guys are probably going to both fall ten rounds the way they finished that fight.
33:20 >> I really do think that could have been the case.
33:22 I think ten rounds would have been even that much more entertaining.
33:24 A little bit of a cut above the left eye of Nico Hernandez along with some swelling,
33:29 but nothing that is detrimental whatsoever for Nico Hernandez.
33:34 And for Ernesto Edaias, I think he lines himself up for another payday against a young contender
33:40 as he certainly made Nico Hernandez work tonight.
33:44 But for Nico Hernandez, another day at the office for the 27-year-old.
33:48 [music]
33:57 We await the decision.
34:01 Here in Augusta, Georgia, wherever you're joining us around the world,
34:04 thank you so much for tuning in here to Triller Fight Club.
34:08 An exciting night of boxing.
34:11 Nico Hernandez in our main event looking exceptional.
34:16 A quality performance tonight against Ernesto Edaias.
34:20 [music]
34:27 Let's go up to our ring announcer with the decision.
34:30 Ladies and gentlemen, what a great fight to end this night of fighting here at The Awakening.
34:42 Your judges' scorecard.
34:44 The first judge scores it 79-73.
34:47 The second judge, 79-73.
34:50 The third judge, 79-73.
34:54 And the winner by unanimous decision, improving his record to 11-0, Nico Hernandez.
35:04 So Nico Hernandez wins his sixth straight by unanimous decision.
35:09 He improves his record to 11-0, 79-73, meaning he only lost one round on the judges' scorecards.
35:19 And another quality performance that we saw from Nico Hernandez.
35:23 I had the same way starting at 73.
35:24 I had, uh, I had the guys winning the first round