PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kukko Hemuli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benedito Braga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kukko Hemuli could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Benedito Braga's chin.

Hemuli
vs
Braga

188 cm
27
178 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

185 cm
21
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kukko Hemuli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Benedito Braga!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hemuli avoids the head kick by Braga.
A jab from Hemuli misses.
Hemuli misses with a double jab.

Braga closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Hemuli is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hemuli is working to avoid the ground and pound but Braga connects with a decent elbow.
An elbow from Braga crashes against the mat.

Braga is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hemuli is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Braga works to advance to full mount. Hemuli defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hemuli is in all sorts of trouble here.

Braga working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Hemuli defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Braga.
Hemuli keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Hemuli wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Hemuli knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Braga on the ground.
Braga dominating with strikes here.
Hemuli is looking to improve his position but Braga isn't that keen on the idea.

Braga wants to finish this one by submission but Hemuli is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Braga.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hemuli squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Braga working for a guillotine from mount but Hemuli is in no mood to give up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Braga unloads with some shots from mount but Hemuli bucks and avoids them well.
Braga in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hemuli is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Hemuli working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hemuli has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Hemuli looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Braga missing with strikes from the back.
Hemuli rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Braga is working for a kimura but Hemuli is defending it quite comfortably.
Hemuli is looking to get back to is feet but Braga passes into side control.
Braga lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Hemuli gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
BOOM! Braga connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hemuli tries to hold on but Braga pushes him away.
Braga landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Braga has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hemuli's face.
Braga is landing with some decent strikes but Hemuli is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Hemuli is rocked!
Hemuli in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Oh Hemuli is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Braga has control of Hemuli's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hemuli regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Braga loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have Hemuli scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Braga land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Braga stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Benedito Braga!