PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Malakai Semerkhet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Semerkhet kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is راقصة صغيرة. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Semerkhet
vs
Lopez

170 cm
26
154 lbs
21 - 4 - 0

165 cm
24
155 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Pearson Specter Litt

Bullet Proof System
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Malakai Semerkhet!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pedro Lopez!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Anthony Taglia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lopez looks to land a right hand but Semerkhet moved out of range.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but Semerkhet shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Semerkhet ducks under a wild hook from Lopez.
Semerkhet throws a quick counter kick to the body but Lopez avoids it.
Semerkhet walks into a stiff left hand from Lopez.
Semerkhet fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lopez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The fighters circling - Lopez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Semerkhet scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lopez has a takedown stuffed.
We've been told by Semerkhet's head coaches at Convicted - Redemption that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Lopez tries for a takedown but Semerkhet circles away easily
and Semerkhet counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Lopez is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Malakai Semerkhet has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Lopez.
Semerkhet pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Semerkhet staying out of range there.
Lopez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Semerkhet sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Semerkhet throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Semerkhet moves forwards but Lopez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Semerkhet changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lopez has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lopez closes the distance and clinches up with Semerkhet, looking for a takedown. Lopez pushes Semerkhet against the cage but Semerkhet circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Semerkhet, right into the meat.
Malakai Semerkhet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Semerkhet cracks the inside of Lopez's front leg.
Lopez tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Semerkhet.
Semerkhet dips to his left and cracks Lopez with an uppercut!

Lopez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Semerkhet looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Semerkhet wants to control but Lopez postures up.

Lopez goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Semerkhet rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Lopez's guard! Nice work there by Semerkhet!
Semerkhet not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Semerkhet won't allow Lopez to sweep him here.

Lopez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Semerkhet trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Lopez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Semerkhet gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lopez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Semerkhet defends it easily.
Lopez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Lopez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Semerkhet doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Semerkhet manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lopez being controlled here, momentarily.

Lopez working for a triangle but Semerkhet defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lopez looking for subs off his back but Semerkhet has passed one foot through into half guard.
Lopez regains full guard. Nicely done.

Lopez is looking for a triangle but Semerkhet pushes his legs off easily.
Lopez keeping moving, preventing Semerkhet from controlling successfully.
Semerkhet pushes down on Lopez's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Semerkhet wants to control but Lopez is keeping him busy.
Semerkhet prevents Lopez from improving his position.
Semerkhet wants to control but Lopez is keeping him busy.
Lopez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lopez keeps trying to improve his position.
Semerkhet working the head and body with strikes.
Lopez works his way to full guard. Good work.

Lopez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Semerkhet passes into half guard.

Lopez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Malakai Semerkhet will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Semerkhet throws a head kick that misses.
Lopez missing with a left hand there. Semerkhet was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Semerkhet is looking to counter punch.
Lopez throws a hook to the side of Semerkhet's head but Semerkhet sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It appears Semerkhet was looking to counter with a kick there.
A solid leg kick lands there for Semerkhet.
Lopez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Semerkhet.
Good exchange - Lopez coming out on top.
Semerkhet throws a nice outside leg kick.
Lopez checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Semerkhet slips a straight right by Lopez.
Semerkhet appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Lopez misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez looks to land a right hand but Semerkhet moved out of range.
Lopez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lopez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Semerkhet.
Lopez on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Lopez checks the leg kick nicely there.
Semerkhet connects with a high kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Semerkhet shoots in and bounces Lopez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Semerkhet wants to control from the top but Lopez keeps moving.
Lopez looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Semerkhet puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Lopez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Lopez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lopez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Semerkhet controls the pace.
Semerkhet looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Semerkhet got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lopez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Semerkhet has managed to get both his arms back between Lopez's legs - danger averted.
Semerkhet wants to control from the top but Lopez keeps moving.

Lopez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Semerkhet postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Lopez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Semerkhet defends it easily.

Lopez throws his legs up looking for a submission but Semerkhet uses it to pass to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Semerkhet's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lopez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Semerkhet preventing the sweep.
Lopez being controlled here, momentarily.

Lopez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Semerkhet is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Semerkhet stopping the sweep attempt from Lopez.
Lopez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Semerkhet controls the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Semerkhet lands a head kick. Lopez smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Lopez misses with a hook. Semerkhet ducked under it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lopez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Semerkhet manages to avoid it.
Semerkhet bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Semerkhet lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Semerkhet.
Lopez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malakai Semerkhet dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice shot by Lopez.
Lopez might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Lopez keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Malakai Semerkhet is winning the standup battle so far.
Semerkhet blocks a jab.
Semerkhet throwing a counter right hand but Lopez manages to avoid it.
Lopez scores with a jab.
Lopez misses with a looping right.
Semerkhet fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lopez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Semerkhet.
Lopez looks to land a left hand but Semerkhet moved out of range nicely.
Semerkhet is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lopez can do to turn this around?

Lopez closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Semerkhet did well to prevent Lopez getting side control.
Semerkhet controlling the position well.
Lopez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Semerkhet keeps working.
Lopez is looking to advance position but Semerkhet won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lopez is trying to work for a kimura but Semerkhet is defending well.
Semerkhet is looking for a sweep. Lopez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Lopez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Semerkhet doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lopez.

Semerkhet looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lopez is pressing down on Semerkhet's thigh, looking to free his foot. Semerkhet is holding on for now.
Lopez is thwarting Semerkhet's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Lopez is working for a submission of some sort.

Lopez is looking for a kimura here.
Semerkhet trying to control here.
Semerkhet tries to roll over but Lopez keeps him under control.

Lopez seems to be working for a kimura but Semerkhet defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet gets back to full guard.
Semerkhet working a defensive guard here.
Lopez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Semerkhet is keeping the position for now.
Lopez pushing down on Semerkhet's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Lopez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Lopez seems to be working for a kimura but Semerkhet defends the submission attempt.
Lopez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Lopez looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lopez 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.

Lopez is working for a submission of some sort.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Lopez wants to work for an arm triangle but Semerkhet is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Semerkhet bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Semerkhet dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Semerkhet throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lopez with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Lopez's corner calls for a 1-2. Lopez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A jab from Lopez misses.
Semerkhet swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Semerkhet lands with a thumping leg kick.
Semerkhet tries to work over Lopez's front leg with a kick but Lopez checks it.
Lopez scores with a nice head shot.
Lopez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Lopez throws a looping overhand right but Semerkhet ducks down to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Semerkhet there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Semerkhet slips a jab from Lopez.
Semerkhet throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lopez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lopez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Semerkhet sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semerkhet clobbers Lopez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Semerkhet turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Semerkhet fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Lopez throws a lazy right hand but Semerkhet sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Semerkhet swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Lopez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Semerkhet.
Semerkhet moves out of range of the strikes.
Semerkhet throws a low kick, looking for Lopez's leg but Lopez calmly moves out of range.
Semerkhet looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Lopez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Semerkhet.
Semerkhet thinks about countering with a body kick.
Lopez blocks a head kick by Semerkhet.
Semerkhet throws a nice outside leg kick.
Semerkhet bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Lopez's head.
Lopez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Semerkhet uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lopez.
Semerkhet will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lopez goes for a double leg but Semerkhet avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Semerkhet continues to drive forward.
Semerkhet lands a nice looking body kick.
Lopez is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Semerkhet ducks under a wild hook from Lopez.
Lopez throws a lazy right hand but Semerkhet sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Semerkhet ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Semerkhet throws a body punch but Lopez moves out of range.
Semerkhet bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Lopez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Semerkhet is looking to land body kicks.
Semerkhet fails to land with a series of punches.
Lopez misses with an uppercut. Semerkhet saw that one coming.
Lopez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Semerkhet counters with a thumping low kick.
Malakai Semerkhet has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Lopez.
Semerkhet lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Semerkhet sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Semerkhet throws a body shot but no joy.
Lopez goes for a double leg but Semerkhet avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Semerkhet continues to drive forward.
Semerkhet is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Semerkhet, right into the meat.
Semerkhet throws a quick inside leg kick.
Lopez checks a low kick from Semerkhet.
Lopez misses with a takedown
and Semerkhet counters with a head kick. That will keep Lopez thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Lopez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Semerkhet on the side of the head.
Semerkhet throws a chopping leg kick but Lopez manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Semerkhet throws a low kick but Lopez moves out of range easily.
Semerkhet scores with a nice body kick.
Lopez on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Semerkhet. Semerkhet obviously looking to wear him down.
Semerkhet is looking to chop away at Lopez's legs.
Semerkhet misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Semerkhet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Semerkhet. That's going to slow Lopez down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lopez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Semerkhet.
Lopez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Semerkhet avoids it really well and circles away.
You can see that Lopez has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Lopez scores with a jab.
Semerkhet goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Semerkhet thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lopez if he has to take too many more of those.
Nice body kick from Semerkhet.
Semerkhet looks to score with a jab to the body but Lopez is just out of range.
Lopez feints the counter takedown.
Semerkhet tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Semerkhet is looking to wear down Lopez with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lopez blocks a head kick by Semerkhet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malakai Semerkhet had his way with Pedro Lopez in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Semerkhet waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lopez.
Semerkhet on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Semerkhet lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lopez shoots in but Semerkhet avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Semerkhet slips a jab from Lopez.
Lopez clobbers Semerkhet with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Semerkhet throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lopez.
Semerkhet cracks Lopez with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lopez has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Semerkhet.
Semerkhet just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Semerkhet misses with a body shot.
Semerkhet is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Semerkhet misses the shot to the body.
Lopez connects with a single shot there.
Lopez fails with a takedown attempt.
Malakai Semerkhet is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semerkhet throws the kick towards the body but Lopez avoids it.
Semerkhet is looking to score with low kicks.
Semerkhet fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lopez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Semerkhet throws a low kick, looking for Lopez's leg but Lopez calmly moves out of range.
Semerkhet dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lopez. That did some damage!
Semerkhet looks to land a body kick but Lopez moved away.
Semerkhet moves away from the strike by Lopez.
Semerkhet is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Lopez checks a leg kick.
A big left from Lopez misses.
Semerkhet tried to counter with a leg kick but Lopez avoided it.
Semerkhet throws a solid leg kick but Lopez takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Semerkhet.
Semerkhet works Lopez's body with a nice hook.
Lopez walks into a straight right hand from Semerkhet.
Lopez's jab looks to have found its range, popping Semerkhet under the eye.
Pedro Lopez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet ducks under a wild hook from Lopez.
Lopez scores with a jab to the jaw.
Semerkhet throws a nice head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lopez missing with a left hand there. Semerkhet was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Semerkhet lands a leg kick that knocks Lopez off balance momentarily.
Lopez connects with a right hand. Semerkhet shakes it off.
Semerkhet delivers a nice body kick.
Semerkhet with a hook.
Lopez looks to land a right hand but Semerkhet moved out of range.
Lopez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Semerkhet counters with a nice body shot.
Malakai Semerkhet has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Lopez.
Lopez is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Lopez looks to land a right hand but Semerkhet moved out of range.

Lopez shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Lopez showed some decent athleticism there.
Semerkhet is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is thwarting Semerkhet's attempts to control the position.
Semerkhet is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lopez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lopez's back!
Semerkhet doesn't have the hooks in and Lopez manages to turn into his guard.
Lopez trying to control the position from guard on top but Semerkhet is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Semerkhet is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Semerkhet keeping moving, preventing Lopez from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet seems keen to control Lopez's posture.

Lopez 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.

Semerkhet throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Lopez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Semerkhet is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lopez defends well.
Lopez being controlled here momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Malakai Semerkhet.
I think Semerkhet has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 49:46
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 49:46
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malakai Semerkhet!
Malakai Semerkhet retains his featherweight title!
Malakai Semerkhet was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.