PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gemechu McKraken (ranked 86 p4p, 151 weight class) and Braynas Hlervu (ranked 11 p4p, 17 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Braynas Hlervu enters the cage!

McKraken
vs
Hlervu

170 cm
34
140
27 - 14 - 1

168 cm
36
144
23 - 14 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
PWNAGEâ„¢

HELLBENT
Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Gemechu McKraken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Braynas Hlervu!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McKraken gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hlervu.
Hlervu throws a lazy right hand but McKraken sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hlervu misses with a looping right.
McKraken slips a jab from Hlervu.
Hlervu throws a lazy right hand but McKraken sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hlervu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hlervu jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
McKraken slips a jab from Hlervu.
McKraken loads up on a big right hand but Hlervu slips the punch.
Hlervu now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

McKraken looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Hlervu!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hlervu looking for a sweep but McKraken has passed into full mount! Oh no!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hlervu bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

McKraken has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hlervu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hlervu looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKraken keeping moving, preventing Hlervu from controlling successfully.
Hlervu looking to pass the guard.
McKraken is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hlervu wants to control from the top but McKraken keeps moving.
McKraken can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hlervu controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hlervu tries to free his leg and advance position but McKraken is retaining full guard.
Hlervu trying to control the position from guard on top but McKraken is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McKraken is trying to keep Hlervu in close.
McKraken pulls Hlervu in close to prevent any damage.
Hlervu's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hlervu forces his way into half guard.
Hlervu trying to control from half guard but McKraken is working away.
Well, if Hlervu is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hlervu is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Hlervu is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McKraken is just riding it out for now. Hlervu eventually gives up the hold.
Hlervu is trying to control the action in half guard but McKraken is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Decent striking displayed by Hlervu there.
The fighters circling - Hlervu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McKraken changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Braynas Hlervu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McKraken shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hlervu defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Hlervu misses.
Hlervu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McKraken feinted with a counter takedown.
McKraken shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A little jabbing left from Hlervu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by McKraken.
Hlervu tries to bench press McKraken off him but McKraken keeps the position.
Hlervu is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hlervu wants to control but McKraken postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hlervu is looking for a sweep.
Check out the look on McKraken's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Hlervu is looking for a sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Braynas Hlervu dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hlervu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hlervu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McKraken half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nice shot lands for Hlervu.
Hlervu misses with a wild combination.
McKraken attempts a counter takedown but Hlervu avoids it well and moves away.
McKraken misses with a takedown attempt - Hlervu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hlervu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McKraken shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKraken works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hlervu slaps away a takedown attempt from McKraken, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gemechu McKraken. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hlervu throws a shot from downtown. McKraken moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlervu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hlervu throws a lazy uppercut

and McKraken counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hlervu!
Hlervu is trying to get back to half guard.
Hlervu regains half guard.
Hlervu slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McKraken wants to control from the top but Hlervu keeps moving.
McKraken cracks Hlervu with a solid left hand.
McKraken wants to pass the guard but Hlervu is keeping the position.
Hlervu pulls McKraken in close to prevent any damage.
Hlervu's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
More stalling from Hlervu.
McKraken stopping the sweep attempt from Hlervu.

McKraken got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hlervu has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McKraken has managed to get both his arms back between Hlervu's legs - danger averted.
McKraken is working Hlervu over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hlervu working a defensive guard here.
McKraken is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McKraken trying to control the position from guard on top but Hlervu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

McKraken drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McKraken jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu keeping moving, preventing McKraken from controlling successfully.
McKraken being controlled here momentarily.
Hlervu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hlervu is on top in guard.

McKraken is pulling down on Hlervu's head. It's preventing any offense from Hlervu, at least for the moment.
Hlervu wants to pass the guard but McKraken is keeping the position.
McKraken can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hlervu controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hlervu pushes down on McKraken's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hlervu wants to pass to mount but McKraken is defending the position.
Hlervu trying to control from half guard but McKraken is working away.
McKraken tries to get to full guard but Hlervu has control of the leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hlervu wants to take a breather but McKraken is having none of it.
Hlervu moves nicely into side control.
Hlervu tries to advance to mount but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Braynas Hlervu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hlervu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McKraken was well out of range. Poor timing from Hlervu.
McKraken half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
McKraken misses with an uppercut. Hlervu saw that one coming.
Hlervu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McKraken moves away.
Hlervu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McKraken.
Hlervu is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McKraken with a body shot.
Nice defenses there by McKraken.
McKraken feinted with a counter takedown.
Hlervu throws a body shot but no joy.
McKraken drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hlervu sprawls and moves away.
Hlervu with a nice cross.
Hlervu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McKraken.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Hlervu. No joy for McKraken on that attempt.
Hlervu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McKraken.
Hlervu misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlervu missing with a left hand there. McKraken was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McKraken attempts a counter takedown but Hlervu avoids it well and moves away.
McKraken shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hlervu but Hlervu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McKraken uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hlervu.
McKraken slips a jab from Hlervu.
McKraken on the wrong end of a nice jab.

McKraken manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hlervu on his heels. He'll look to pass Hlervu's guard now, I'm sure.
Hlervu keeping moving, preventing McKraken from controlling successfully.
Hlervu controlling the position.
Hlervu manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McKraken manages to get himself to full guard.

McKraken is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu looking to pass the guard.
Hlervu wants to control from the top but McKraken keeps moving.
Hlervu pushing down on McKraken's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hlervu is pressing down on McKraken's thigh, looking to free his foot. McKraken is holding on for now.
Gemechu McKraken overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hlervu keeps trying to improve his position.
Hlervu wants to lay and pray for a moment but McKraken keeps working.
McKraken trying to control from the bottom.

McKraken looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu wants to take a breather but McKraken is having none of it.
Hlervu is controlling the pace.
Hlervu passes the guard and advances to mount!
McKraken is looking to improve his position but Hlervu isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hlervu tries to control but McKraken wriggling away.
Gemechu McKraken has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hlervu sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hlervu fails to move to back control.
Hlervu forces the positional change into back control.
Hlervu struggling to keep hold of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hlervu just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
You can see the frustration on McKraken's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

And that's the end of the fight!
Braynas Hlervu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hlervu has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Braynas Hlervu!
Braynas Hlervu decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.