PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Andre Hendrix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitry Muratov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Hendrix might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Rage Against the Machine - Renegades of Funk. Dmitry Muratov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Hendrix
vs
Muratov

150 cm
19
158 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
26
146 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Andre Hendrix!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitry Muratov!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hendrix misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hendrix could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hendrix tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Muratov defends well and Hendrix ends up having to push Muratov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hendrix looks for a takedown but Muratov sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Hendrix. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muratov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Muratov tries a head kick but it misses.
Muratov misses with a head kick.
Muratov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hendrix changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Muratov stuffs the takedown attempt from Hendrix. Hendrix gets slowly back to his feet.
Muratov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Muratov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Hendrix shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hendrix was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hendrix tries for a kimura but Muratov is defending well.
Muratov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hendrix asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Hendrix working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muratov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Hendrix has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Hendrix is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Muratov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Hendrix tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Muratov is pushing Hendrix's head away, looking to escape. Hendrix manages to hold on to the position though.

Hendrix is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Muratov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muratov is trying to buck Hendrix off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Hendrix is trying to get an arm triangle but Muratov is defending well.
Hendrix prevents Muratov from escaping the position.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hendrix working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Hendrix tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hendrix has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Hendrix tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Hendrix goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Muratov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hendrix but great work by Muratov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendrix is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Muratov wants to stand but Hendrix has his arm trapped.
Hendrix is trying to get back to half guard.
Hendrix sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Muratov wants to stand up but Hendrix is controlling the position.

Hendrix looking for submissions off his back.
Muratov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Hendrix looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Muratov stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Hendrix to get to his feet.
Muratov misses with a head kick.

Hendrix shoots in and gets a takedown into Muratov's guard.

Hendrix has gone for a leg lock! Muratov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hendrix's guard.

Hendrix might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Hendrix is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Hendrix looking for a guillotine here but Muratov defends easily.

Hendrix is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dmitry Muratov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Muratov throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Muratov.
Hendrix drops down looking for a counter takedown but Muratov sprawls and moves away.
Hendrix blocks a head kick by Muratov.
Nice sprawl there from Muratov as Hendrix shoots in.
Muratov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hendrix.

Hendrix throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Muratov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hendrix is in Muratov's guard.

Hendrix drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Muratov dives on top into guard.

Muratov is looking to stand up but Hendrix won't let him.

Hendrix working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Muratov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Muratov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hendrix has a closed guard, preventing Muratov from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hendrix is looking for a triangle here but Muratov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Hendrix tries to buck Muratov off but Muratov is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muratov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hendrix to his feet.
Andre Hendrix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muratov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Hendrix shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Hendrix is working for a submission of some sort.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hendrix seems to be working for a kimura but Muratov defends the submission attempt.
Muratov wants to get back to his feet.

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

Hendrix wants to work for an arm triangle but Muratov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muratov is trying to stand back up but Hendrix is controlling him

Muratov is defending against the submission attempts here by Hendrix.
Muratov tries to kick Hendrix off but Hendrix keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

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

Muratov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Muratov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hendrix circles away quickly and effectively.
Hendrix feinted with a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muratov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Muratov throws a head kick that misses.

Hendrix fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Muratov sprawls well initially but Hendrix persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Hendrix is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Muratov defends it well.
Muratov is trying to stand up here but Hendrix is controlling him well.

Hendrix is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Muratov is just riding it out for now. Hendrix eventually gives up the hold.

Hendrix is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Muratov has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muratov is trying to stand back up but Hendrix is controlling him

Hendrix is trying to work for a kimura but Muratov is defending well.
Muratov wants to get back to his feet.

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

Hendrix is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Muratov is just riding it out for now. Hendrix eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dmitry Muratov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Muratov misses with a head kick.

Hendrix bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Muratov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Hendrix thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Hendrix tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hendrix has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Muratov tries to escape but Hendrix is in control.
Andre Hendrix overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hendrix goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Muratov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hendrix but great work by Muratov.
Muratov wants to stand but Hendrix has his arm trapped.
Hendrix gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hendrix is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hendrix looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Muratov tries to stand and escape but Hendrix is controlling the position.

Hendrix is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Muratov pulls his head out easily.
Muratov wants to stand but Hendrix has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
We've been hearing good reports from Hendrix's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Hendrix tries to roll over but Muratov keeps him under control.

Hendrix is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Muratov pulls his head out easily.

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.
Muratov wants to stand up but Hendrix has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Hendrix looking for subs from the bottom but Muratov mounts him!
Muratov is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Hendrix slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Hendrix looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Muratov seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hendrix looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hendrix actively working from the bottom here.
Muratov tries to stand and escape but Hendrix is controlling the position.

Hendrix looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hendrix looking for submissions off his back.
Muratov wants to stand up but Hendrix has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Hendrix looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Muratov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Hendrix.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Muratov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hendrix backs up against the cage.
Hendrix shoots for a double leg takedown but Muratov sprawls well. He's pushed Hendrix's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Hendrix shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Muratov napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Muratov throws Hendrix to one side and escapes!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hendrix shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Muratov but Muratov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hendrix tries for a takedown but Muratov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Hendrix. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hendrix takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitry Muratov really dominated 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.

Muratov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hendrix fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hendrix tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Muratov defends well and Hendrix ends up having to push Muratov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Muratov throws a right hand that Hendrix ducks under and follows up with a left that Hendrix also avoids with ease.
Hendrix doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Muratov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Hendrix. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Muratov breaks the clinch.
Muratov throws a series of punches but Hendrix moves out of range.
Hendrix closes this distance looking for a takedown but Muratov circles away.
Muratov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Muratov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hendrix circles away quickly and effectively.
Hendrix looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Muratov is fending him off so far but Hendrix persists. Nope, Muratov circles away and we're back to standing.
Muratov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muratov scores with a three punch combo!

Hendrix shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Muratov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Muratov wants to get back to his feet but Hendrix is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Hendrix is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Muratov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Muratov has escaped and now he's on top!

Hendrix had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Muratov defends it easily.

Hendrix is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Muratov is aware though and is defending well.

Hendrix working for submissions but it's allowed Muratov to get to half guard.
Muratov wants to stand up but Hendrix has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hendrix is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Muratov is tapping! Great win for Hendrix!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:14 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Andre Hendrix!
Andre Hendrix retains his featherweight title!
Andre Hendrix decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.