PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Malakai Semerkhet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joaquim Antunes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Semerkhet comes to the cage accompanied by Snoop Dogg - Pump Pump. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Semerkhet
vs
Antunes

170 cm
19
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

175 cm
19
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Backyard Fighting

Merciless Gladiators

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Malakai Semerkhet!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joaquim Antunes!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Franklyn Lucas and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Semerkhet stuffs the takedown.

Antunes fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Semerkhet sprawls well initially but Antunes persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Semerkhet on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Antunes is controlling the pace.
Antunes stops Semerkhet from getting back to his feet.
Antunes tries to pass to full mount but Semerkhet defends it.
Antunes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Semerkhet's head.
Antunes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Antunes seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antunes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Antunes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Semerkhet does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Antunes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Semerkhet defending well though.
Antunes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Antunes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Antunes is nestled in close to Semerkhet, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Antunes wants to take a breather but Semerkhet is having none of it.
Antunes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Antunes throwing shots but Semerkhet is blocking nicely.
Semerkhet knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Antunes on the ground.
Antunes takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Antunes is pressing down on Semerkhet's thigh, looking to free his foot. Semerkhet is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Antunes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Antunes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Antunes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Semerkhet looks like he's trying to stand up.
Semerkhet is staying active underneath Antunes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Semerkhet avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Antunes.
Antunes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Antunes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Semerkhet's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Antunes controlling the action here.
Semerkhet on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Semerkhet tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Antunes lands a nice short elbow.
Antunes lands with a punch from half guard.
Antunes content to control rather than advance.
Antunes throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Antunes throwing shots but Semerkhet is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Antunes slows the pace down in half guard.
Semerkhet is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Antunes scores with a couple of nice shots.
Semerkhet avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Antunes.
Antunes trying to control the action but Semerkhet is working from the bottom.
Antunes has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at immortals. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Semerkhet keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Antunes is keen to just control but Semerkhet is a slippery customer.
Antunes with the ground and pound but Semerkhet uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Antunes tries to free his leg and advance position but Semerkhet is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Antunes 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.

Antunes shoots in and drives through. Semerkhet sprawls well.
Antunes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Antunes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Semerkhet sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Antunes somewhat.
Malakai Semerkhet has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joaquim Antunes.
Antunes shoots in for a double leg but Semerkhet sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Antunes is defended easily by Semerkhet.
Antunes closes the distance and clinches up with Semerkhet, looking for a takedown. Antunes pushes Semerkhet against the cage but Semerkhet circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Semerkhet tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Antunes is able to avoid easily.
Antunes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Antunes looks for a takedown but Semerkhet sprawls well.
Semerkhet lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Semerkhet throws a low kick, looking for Antunes's leg but Antunes calmly moves out of range.
Malakai Semerkhet is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antunes fails to land the takedown.
Semerkhet stuffs the takedown.
Nice body kick from Semerkhet.
Semerkhet stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Semerkhet wants it to stay on the feet.
Antunes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Joaquim Antunes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Antunes is breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Antunes.
Antunes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Semerkhet tries to avoid it but Antunes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Semerkhet to the ground. Semerkhet escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've been told by Semerkhet's head coaches at Steel Penn's Furious Styles that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Antunes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Semerkhet but Semerkhet pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Antunes shoots for a takedown but Semerkhet saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Antunes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Antunes throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Semerkhet tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Antunes is in Semerkhet's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Antunes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Antunes wants to control from the top but Semerkhet keeps moving.
Antunes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Antunes engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Joaquim Antunes hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Antunes looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet won't allow Antunes to pass to mount.
Antunes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Semerkhet keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Semerkhet is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Antunes scores with a couple of nice shots.
Antunes working the head and body with strikes.
Antunes seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Antunes winds up and cracks Semerkhet with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Antunes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet won't allow Antunes to pass to mount.
Antunes is trying to control the action in half guard but Semerkhet is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Antunes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Semerkhet defending well though.
Antunes passes to side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Antunes in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Semerkhet takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The strikes coming from Antunes are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Antunes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Semerkhet keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Antunes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Antunes decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Semerkhet is staying active underneath Antunes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Antunes in particular looking to stall.
Ground and pound from Antunes.
Antunes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Antunes looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Antunes is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Semerkhet trying to hold on to Antunes's head to control him but Antunes postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antunes lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Antunes drops an elbow to the side of Semerkhet's head.
Antunes is trying to control. Semerkhet wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Semerkhet blocking the ground and pound attempt from Antunes.
Antunes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Antunes working Semerkhet over with strikes.
Antunes lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Antunes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Semerkhet does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Semerkhet is in trouble now - Antunes has advanced to mount!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Semerkhet in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Antunes working Semerkhet over with strikes here.
Semerkhet holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Antunes tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Antunes landing punches.
Antunes breaks from Semerkhet's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Antunes looking to finish Semerkhet with some ground and pound. This is bad for Semerkhet!
Antunes lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Antunes lands a heavy elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Antunes lands a couple of good shots and Semerkhet has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Antunes has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Semerkhet.
Antunes lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Semerkhet.

Semerkhet is rocked!
Antunes misses with an elbow to the head.
Oh Semerkhet is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Antunes biding his time, looking for the opening.
Semerkhet seems to have got his legs back now.
Antunes throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Semerkhet!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Antunes gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Antunes lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Antunes landing with strikes.
Antunes misses with an elbow to the head.
Semerkhet covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Antunes looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Joaquim Antunes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Antunes punishes Semerkhet with strikes from the back mount.
Antunes is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Semerkhet up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Semerkhet is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Antunes.
Antunes lands an elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Antunes really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Antunes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Semerkhet but Semerkhet pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Semerkhet misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Antunes shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Semerkhet's guard.
Antunes content to stall in guard here.
Antunes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Semerkhet works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Antunes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Antunes connects with a couple of short punches.
Antunes is working Semerkhet over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antunes engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Antunes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Antunes is looking to work some ground and pound but Semerkhet has wrist control.
Antunes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Semerkhet works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Antunes pushing down on Semerkhet's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Antunes stalling.
Antunes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Antunes takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Antunes thows a huge punch but Semerkhet dodges it nicely.
Antunes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Semerkhet's head.
Antunes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Antunes slips a nice elbow through Semerkhet's hands, connecting with Semerkhet's forehead.
Semerkhet avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Antunes.
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!
Antunes is trying to control. Semerkhet wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Joaquim Antunes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Antunes looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Malakai Semerkhet has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet taking some punishment here, with Antunes in his half guard.
Semerkhet avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Antunes.
Antunes not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Antunes working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Antunes working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Semerkhet is looking to escape.
Antunes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Antunes slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Antunes works his way into full mount!
Antunes with good strikes from the mount here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
BOOM! Antunes connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Antunes with a couple of short strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joaquim Antunes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Antunes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 33:40
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 34:40
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 34:40

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joaquim Antunes!
Joaquim Antunes is the new featherweight champion!
Joaquim Antunes decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.