PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mengrire Krenakore (ranked 690 p4p, 1424 weight class) and Emiliano Blackburn (ranked 60 p4p, 134 weight class). Mengrire Krenakore has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Krenakore
vs
Blackburn

175 cm
29
157
14 - 10 - 0

168 cm
33
150
24 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Stoner's Killer Apparel

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 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mengrire Krenakore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Emiliano Blackburn!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Phil Schofield and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krenakore throws an overhand right that lands on Blackburn's shoulder, as Blackburn tries to avoid the shot.
A swing and a miss from Blackburn.
Krenakore throws a hook to the side of Blackburn's head but Blackburn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mengrire Krenakore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blackburn jabs Krenakore right on the nose. Krenakore blinks but takes it well.
Krenakore moves forwards but Blackburn connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Blackburn misses with a jab, cross combination.
Blackburn throws the left hand but Krenakore avoids the punch easily.
Krenakore misses with a jab to the body

and Blackburn counters with a nice double leg into side control. Krenakore won't be happy with that.
Krenakore tries to escape but Blackburn is in control.

Krenakore explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blackburn throws a quick inside leg kick.
Krenakore has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Krenakore pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Krenakore throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Blackburn misses with a leg kick
and Krenakore counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Blackburn moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Krenakore throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Krenakore steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Blackburn.

Blackburn looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Krenakore!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krenakore is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Blackburn asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Krenakore throws Blackburn to one side and escapes!
Krenakore lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Blackburn circles away quickly and effectively.
Krenakore throws a jab when Blackburn was well out of range.
Blackburn changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Krenakore lands a nice shot that snaps Blackburn's head back.
Krenakore tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blackburn was well out of range. Poor timing from Krenakore.
Krenakore slips a jab from Blackburn.
Krenakore with a hook.
Blackburn takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Krenakore lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice sprawl there from Krenakore as Blackburn shoots in.
Krenakore jabs Blackburn to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's two 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!
Blackburn tries to clinch up but Krenakore circles away and keeps his distance.
Blackburn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blackburn is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Blackburn misses with a series of wild punches.
Blackburn throws a hook but Krenakore blocks it.
Blackburn on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Krenakore lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Krenakore throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Blackburn avoids the body shot from Krenakore.
Blackburn steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Krenakore.
Krenakore digs a good hook to Blackburn's body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Krenakore darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Blackburn walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Krenakore changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Krenakore throws a series of punches but Blackburn avoids them all with ease.
Blackburn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mengrire Krenakore is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A swing and a miss from Krenakore.
Krenakore stuffs the takedown attempt from Blackburn. Blackburn gets slowly back to his feet.
Krenakore throwing a counter right hand but Blackburn manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Blackburn - just one landing.
A swing and a miss from Krenakore.
Blackburn changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Blackburn throws a nice looking combination but Krenakore bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Krenakore dips to his left and cracks Blackburn with an uppercut!
Blackburn misses with a lunging right hand
and Krenakore counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Blackburn takes a jab right on the kisser.
Krenakore keeps the fight on the outside.

Blackburn has taken the fight to the clinch.
Blackburn misses with some punches.
Blackburn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Blackburn lands a nice shot to the body.

Krenakore breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Blackburn drives through and clinches with Krenakore against the cage.
Blackburn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Krenakore is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blackburn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Blackburn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Blackburn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Krenakore backwards.
Krenakore blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Blackburn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Krenakore tries to break the clinch but Blackburn is controlling the position.
Nice body punch from Blackburn.

Blackburn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Krenakore checks a leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Blackburn misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Krenakore throws out a loose jab but Blackburn uses good head movement to avoid it.
A slow jab from Blackburn misses its intended target.
Krenakore uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Blackburn.
Krenakore is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A lazy left from Krenakore finds it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mengrire Krenakore dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice uppercut lands for Blackburn. That snapped Krenakore's head back.
Blackburn tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Krenakore manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Blackburn throws a lazy right hand but Krenakore sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Blackburn cracks Krenakore with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Krenakore misses with a straight left.
Krenakore misses with a combination

and Blackburn counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Krenakore lands a body shot.
Krenakore is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Krenakore breaks from the clinch.
Krenakore is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Blackburn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krenakore swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Blackburn feints the counter takedown.
Krenakore scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Krenakore misses with a hook.
A big right from Blackburn misses.
A big left from Blackburn misses.
Mengrire Krenakore is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krenakore swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Krenakore fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A big right from Krenakore misses.
Krenakore throws a jab but it's blocked by Blackburn.
Blackburn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Krenakore misses with a few strikes there.
Blackburn is looking to slow Krenakore down with leg kicks.
Blackburn will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Blackburn lands a really nice looking cross but Krenakore seems unphased.
Blackburn slips a jab from Krenakore.
Blackburn lands with an uppercut that bounces Krenakore off the cage and back into range.
Krenakore looks to land a right hand but Blackburn moved out of range.
Krenakore takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Blackburn drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Krenakore wants to stand up but Blackburn is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn is standing up over Krenakore. Krenakore looks to escape but Blackburn dives into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Krenakore is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Blackburn asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Krenakore explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Blackburn dives in for a single leg takedown but Krenakore sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore throws a hook but Blackburn blocks it.
Krenakore lands with a good body shot.
Krenakore ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Blackburn looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Blackburn slips a straight right by Krenakore.
Krenakore is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Blackburn can do to turn this around?
Blackburn lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Krenakore connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Krenakore connects with a right hand. Blackburn shakes it off.
Blackburn loads up on a big right hand but Krenakore slips the punch.
Krenakore throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Krenakore connects with a looping right hand.

Blackburn is rocked!
Krenakore takes one on the button.
Blackburn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blackburn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Blackburn lands a nice shot that snaps Krenakore's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore misses with the combination.
Krenakore looks to throw the jab but Blackburn is out of range.
Blackburn throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Krenakore on the side of the head.
The crowd cheers as Krenakore lands an impressive looking overhand right. Blackburn doesn't seem phased though.
Krenakore bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blackburn takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Krenakore throws a series of punches but Blackburn moves out of range.
Blackburn is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Krenakore throws the left hand but Blackburn avoids the punch easily.
Blackburn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nice uppercut there from Blackburn.
Blackburn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Krenakore.
Blackburn cracks Krenakore with an open hand slap.
A slow jab from Krenakore misses its intended target.
Krenakore throws a jab when Blackburn was well out of range.
Krenakore cracks Blackburn with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mengrire Krenakore will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Blackburn lands with a hook. Krenakore tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Krenakore misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And Blackburn tries to counter it with a takedown but Krenakore pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Krenakore uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Blackburn.
An attempted straight right counter from Krenakore misses the target.
Blackburn blocks a jab.
Krenakore waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Blackburn.
A big left from Krenakore misses.
Blackburn misses with a body shot.
Krenakore connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Krenakore uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Blackburn.
Blackburn tries to clinch up but Krenakore circles away and keeps his distance.
Krenakore misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blackburn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackburn is looking to land body kicks.
Krenakore uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Blackburn.
Krenakore takes a swing at Blackburn's ribcage but misses.
Blackburn tries to counter by closing the distance.
Blackburn is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A big left from Blackburn misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blackburn drives through with a takedown into guard.

Krenakore wriggles free and stands up.
Blackburn tests Krenakore's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Krenakore on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Krenakore takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A jab lands there for Blackburn.
Krenakore's corner calls for a 1-2. Krenakore obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blackburn scores with a hook to the body. Krenakore takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Blackburn shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Krenakore is trying to defend but Blackburn finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Krenakore kicks Blackburn off and gets back to his feet.
Good shot there by Blackburn.
Emiliano Blackburn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Krenakore connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Blackburn's hands.
Blackburn is still on wobbly legs! Can Krenakore finish him?
Krenakore cracks a nice hook into Blackburn's ribs.
Blackburn tries to bum rush Krenakore with a series of wild strikes but Krenakore uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Blackburn slips under a jab from Krenakore.
Blackburn seems to have recovered his senses.
Krenakore loads up on a big right hand but Blackburn slips the punch.
Blackburn avoids the body shot from Krenakore.
Blackburn connects with a right hand. Krenakore shakes it off.
Blackburn has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Blackburn has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Krenakore finds it's way round the side to connect with Blackburn's head.
Krenakore closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Blackburn misses with a combination
and Krenakore counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Krenakore thows a left - swing and a miss!
Krenakore swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore scores with a jab to the jaw.
Krenakore lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Blackburn tries to close the distance and clinch but Krenakore swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A quick step to the side and Krenakore tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blackburn scoring well with a low kick there.
Blackburn connects with a single shot there.
Krenakore moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Blackburn slips a jab from Krenakore.
Krenakore throws a body punch but Blackburn moves out of range.
Blackburn shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Blackburn ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fighters circle momentarily. Blackburn darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Krenakore throws a jab but it's blocked by Blackburn.
Krenakore lands an overhand right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blackburn lands a nice leg kick that just misses Krenakore's sensitive parts.
Krenakore takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore lands with a right hand.
A big left from Krenakore misses.
Blackburn feints the counter takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Blackburn is defended easily by Krenakore.
Blackburn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Blackburn connects with an inside leg kick.
Blackburn misses with an uppercut
enabling Krenakore to counter with a crisp jab.
Krenakore displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Blackburn throws out the jab.
Krenakore misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Krenakore looks to land a right hand but Blackburn moved out of range.
Blackburn is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Krenakore.
Blackburn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Krenakore.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mengrire Krenakore showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Krenakore, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mengrire Krenakore!
An out of breath Mengrire Krenakore thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.