PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jake Gurel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Devan Hennings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gurel
vs
Hennings

180 cm
21
175 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

183 cm
22
178 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jake Gurel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Devan Hennings!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Micheangelo Fripello and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hennings feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Gurel being controlled here, momentarily.
Hennings with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gurel wants to sweep but no luck.
Hennings wants to pass the guard but Gurel is keeping the position.
Hennings is in close to Gurel's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hennings stopping the sweep attempt from Gurel.
Gurel is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurel working a defensive guard but Hennings manages to pass into side control anyway.
Gurel is trying to get back to half guard.
Gurel knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hennings on the ground.
Hennings working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Hennings is looking to take a break and control but Gurel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gurel is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at TAP ROOT -/- 10 Coaches / Great Sparring / Value that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Gurel tries to improve position but can't.

Hennings is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gurel is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hennings scoring with punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gurel being controlled for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Hennings might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Gurel wants to control but Hennings postures up.
Gurel tries to buck Hennings off but Hennings is having none of it.
Gurel wants to control but Hennings postures up.
Gurel is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Hennings has just dragged him back down to the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hennings lands an elbow.
Hennings trying to control the position but Gurel is working away.

Hennings tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gurel regains half guard there - taking advantage of Hennings's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gurel is trying to stand up here but Hennings is controlling him well.
Hennings wants to take a breather but Gurel is having none of it.
Gurel is pressing down on Hennings's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gurel trying to control the position.
Hennings won't allow Gurel to get back to his feet.
Gurel is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hennings wants to control from the top but Gurel keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hennings throws a big right hand that misses.
Hennings wants to control from the top but Gurel keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Hennings dives in and scores a takedown into Gurel's guard.
Gurel is looking to stand up but Hennings isn't so interested in that idea.
Hennings is looking to work some ground and pound but Gurel has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hennings is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Hennings drops back looking for a leg! Gurel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gurel manages to kick Hennings off! Hennings jumps back into Gurel's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devan Hennings dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hennings tries for a takedown but Gurel circles away easily
and Gurel counters with a two punch combo.
A slow jab from Hennings misses its intended target.
Gurel misses with a leg kick.
Hennings shoots and misses
and Gurel counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Gurel closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hennings's guard.
Hennings pulls Gurel in close to prevent any damage.
Hennings looking for a sweep. Not yet Hennings, not yet.
Hennings has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hennings working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gurel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hennings preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hennings looking to control.
Hennings keeping full guard, as Gurel tries to pass.
Hennings trying to keep a closed guard but Gurel is proving a slippery customer.
Gurel stays in close to Hennings's body and controls the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Devan Hennings wasn't active enough on the ground.
Gurel lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

It looks like Devan Hennings has been cut.
Hennings looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gurel is fending him off so far but Hennings persists. Nope, Gurel circles away and we're back to standing.
Jake Gurel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Devan Hennings.

Hennings drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Gurel is not content to let Hennings control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hennings takes a little break here. Gurel wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Gurel wants to get back to his feet but Hennings is dominant here and he's now got Gurel's back!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gurel holding both Hennings 's hands and preventing any damage.

Hennings working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Hennings scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hennings is persistently looking for the submission but Gurel is defending it well.
You can see the frustration on Gurel's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Gurel wants to control his opponent's hands but Hennings gets his hands free.

Hennings working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Hennings is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Gurel defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Will Hennings go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gurel tries to roll but Hennings sticks to his back.

Hennings is persistently looking for the submission but Gurel is defending it well.
Hennings is looking to control Gurel but Gurel is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hennings has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Can Gurel hold on?! Hennings is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Devan Hennings showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Devan Hennings's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Gurel scores with a decent looking hook.
Hennings tries to clinch
and Gurel counters with a body kick.

Gurel shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hennings napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gurel working away.
Gurel in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
You can see the frustration on Hennings's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hennings is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gurel's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gurel throwing shots but Hennings is blocking nicely.
Hennings is trying is best to control the position here.
Gurel is nestled in close to Hennings, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gurel is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hennings sees it coming and defends easily.
Gurel throwing shots but Hennings is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gurel is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gurel prevents Hennings from improving his position.
Gurel is thwarting Hennings's attempts to control the position.
Hennings makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hennings.
Hennings looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gurel is one step ahead there.
Gurel wanted to stand there but Hennings had control of the position.
Gurel stopping the sweep attempt from Hennings.
Gurel has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hennings manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gurel is trying to reverse the position but instead Hennings has taken his back - oops!
Gurel tries to escape but Hennings has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Hennings connects with a big shot to the side of Gurel's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gurel won't enjoy being in this position. Hennings looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Gurel is tapping - it's over boys! Hennings picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Devan Hennings!