PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brass Knuckles (ranked 1978 p4p, 1560 weight class) and Mengrire Krenakore (ranked 170 p4p, 138 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Knuckles
vs
Krenakore

170 cm
25
145
11 - 6 - 0

175 cm
28
157
12 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brass Knuckles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mengrire Krenakore!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Glass and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krenakore throws a series of punches but Knuckles moves out of range.
Krenakore throws a hook but Knuckles blocks it.
Jab by Krenakore.
Krenakore misses the body punch

and Knuckles moves into the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Knuckles as the two fighters clinch.

Krenakore pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've been hearing reports that Knuckles has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Krenakore scores with a jab to the head.
Krenakore looks to land a left hand but Knuckles moved out of range nicely.
Krenakore looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Knuckles wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Krenakore works Knuckles's body with a nice hook.
Good shot there by Krenakore.
Krenakore throws a body punch but Knuckles moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Krenakore connects with a jab.
Krenakore rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Knuckles moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
As Krenakore tries to get set, Knuckles tries to push him back and clinch up but Krenakore manages to avoid the attempt.
Knuckles goes for a double leg but Krenakore avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Krenakore continues to drive forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Krenakore.
Knuckles wants a takedown.
Knuckles looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brass Knuckles. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Krenakore manages to break the clinch.
Krenakore looks to score with a jab to the body but Knuckles is just out of range.
Knuckles tries to close the distance and clinch but Krenakore swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Knuckles 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.
Knuckles looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Krenakore is fending him off so far but Knuckles persists. Nope, Krenakore circles away and we're back to standing.
Knuckles staying out of range there.
Krenakore stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Knuckles.
Krenakore throws a hook to the side of Knuckles's head but Knuckles sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Knuckles gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Knuckles walks into a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles misses with a takedown attempt - Krenakore sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Knuckles fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Krenakore throws out a loose jab but Knuckles uses good head movement to avoid it.
Knuckles tries to counter by clinching up but Krenakore breaks away and moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Krenakore. Those never looked like landing.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Knuckles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Krenakore is pushing Knuckles's head away, looking to escape. Knuckles manages to hold on to the position though.
Knuckles throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Krenakore throws Knuckles to one side and escapes!
Krenakore's coach down at Tran MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Krenakore's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Krenakore tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knuckles was well out of range. Poor timing from Krenakore.
No luck for Knuckles with that takedown attempt.
Krenakore throws a right hand that Knuckles ducks under and follows up with a left that Knuckles also avoids with ease.
A jab from Krenakore misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knuckles shoots in for a takedown but Krenakore shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Knuckles tries to score a power double leg takedown but Krenakore sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Knuckles somewhat.
Krenakore scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Mengrire Krenakore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Knuckles gets the takedown into side control.
Knuckles has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Knuckles prevents Krenakore from escaping the position.
Knuckles lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Krenakore down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles wants to lay and pray for a moment but Krenakore keeps working.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Krenakore parries the strikes from Knuckles easily there. Knuckles is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Krenakore to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Krenakore is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Knuckles has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Krenakore is not content to let Knuckles control the position.

Krenakore explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Krenakore takes a swing at Knuckles's ribcage but misses.
Krenakore stuffs the takedown.
Knuckles digs a good hook to Krenakore's body.
Krenakore defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Knuckles.
Krenakore swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Knuckles dives in for a single leg takedown but Krenakore sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A countering left hand to the body from Krenakore misses.
Knuckles is looking to take this one to the mat.

Krenakore breaks the clinch.
Krenakore tries to bum rush Knuckles with a series of wild strikes but Knuckles uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mengrire Krenakore dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Knuckles on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Knuckles closes this distance looking for a takedown but Krenakore circles away.
Krenakore swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Knuckles tries to move into range but Krenakore moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Knuckles uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Krenakore.
Knuckles swings away with a body shot that misses
and Krenakore counters with a right hand to the body.
Knuckles looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Krenakore is fending him off so far but Knuckles persists. Nope, Krenakore circles away and we're back to standing.
Krenakore is looking for the big counter here.
Krenakore misses the body punch
and Knuckles counters with a nice body shot.
Knuckles uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Krenakore.
Krenakore has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Krenakore connects with a crisp jab.
Krenakore tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knuckles was well out of range. Poor timing from Krenakore.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krenakore throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Knuckles.
Knuckles tries to counter by clinching up but Krenakore breaks away and moves out of range.
Krenakore lands a slapping body shot.
Mengrire Krenakore seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Krenakore fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Knuckles looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Krenakore defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Knuckles.
A little jabbing left from Krenakore on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brass Knuckles. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Krenakore.
Krenakore lunges at Knuckles with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Knuckles's hand.
Knuckles tries for a takedown but Krenakore circles away easily
and Krenakore counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knuckles uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Krenakore.
Krenakore stalks Knuckles and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Knuckles's face. Knuckles staggers backwards, shaken.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Krenakore, as that shot connected.
Krenakore ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Knuckles moves away.
Krenakore throws a looping overhand right but Knuckles ducks down to avoid it.
Knuckles steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Krenakore.
Krenakore stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Krenakore jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Knuckles is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Krenakore ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Knuckles moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore misses the jab.
Knuckles fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mengrire Krenakore is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Krenakore. Knuckles does a little dance to reset his feet.
Krenakore throws a jab when Knuckles was well out of range.
Knuckles drops down looking for a counter takedown but Krenakore sprawls and moves away.
Krenakore throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Knuckles counters with a left to the body.
Knuckles shoots in and drives through. Krenakore sprawls well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Knuckles. Krenakore does a little dance to reset his feet.
Krenakore lands a slapping body shot.
Knuckles fails to land the takedown.
Krenakore throws a hook to the side of Knuckles's head but Knuckles sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice takedown defense from Krenakore. No joy for Knuckles on that attempt.
Krenakore tries to bum rush Knuckles with a series of wild strikes but Knuckles uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Knuckles moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore misses with an uppercut. Knuckles saw that one coming.
Krenakore throws a shot to the body.

Knuckles drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Knuckles is looking to work some ground and pound but Krenakore has wrist control.
Knuckles throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Krenakore has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Knuckles is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Krenakore pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Krenakore, as that shot connected.
A left and a right from Krenakore both land. Nice combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Krenakore fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Knuckles looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Krenakore displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Knuckles.
Knuckles walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knuckles was well out of range. Poor timing from Krenakore.
Knuckles tries to counter by clinching up but Krenakore breaks away and moves out of range.
Knuckles avoids the body shot from Krenakore.
Knuckles wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Knuckles takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Krenakore scores with a sloppy right hand. Knuckles should have avoided that one.
Knuckles misses with a takedown attempt - Krenakore sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Knuckles keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Krenakore scores with a three punch combo!
Knuckles takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Krenakore is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Knuckles.
Krenakore lands a nice looking body shot.
Krenakore lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mengrire Krenakore showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Krenakore looks to land a right hand but Knuckles moved out of range.
A big right from Krenakore misses.
Knuckles is looking to counter the offense by Krenakore and move into the clinch.
Krenakore throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Oh Knuckles is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Krenakore closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Knuckles seems to have got his legs back now.
Krenakore throws a hook but Knuckles blocks it.
Krenakore misses with a few strikes there.
Knuckles scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Krenakore misses with a looping right.
Nice takedown defense from Krenakore. No joy for Knuckles on that attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krenakore just misses with a punch to the body.
Krenakore swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Krenakore cracks Knuckles with a good jab.
Knuckles tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Krenakore defends well and Knuckles ends up having to push Krenakore into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Knuckles looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles stalling in the clinch but Krenakore improves position.

Knuckles gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Krenakore manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Knuckles keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knuckles lands a nice shot to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Knuckles.

Krenakore's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Krenakore scores with a body shot.
Knuckles uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Krenakore.
Krenakore throws a body punch but Knuckles moves out of range.

Knuckles fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Krenakore, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knuckles works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Krenakore escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Knuckles with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Krenakore to score with a decent uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Krenakore swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brass Knuckles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knuckles takes a jab right on the kisser.
Krenakore cracks Knuckles with a good jab.

Knuckles drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Krenakore sneaks out the side door and pushes Knuckles away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Knuckles on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Krenakore lands the left hand.
Krenakore misses with a combination

and Knuckles counters with a takedown into side control.
Knuckles trying to control the action but Krenakore is working from the bottom.
Krenakore is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Krenakore sneaks out the side door and pushes Knuckles away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Good shot there by Krenakore.
Knuckles is looking to clinch.
Knuckles tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Krenakore defends well and Knuckles ends up having to push Krenakore into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Krenakore lands an uppercut.
Knuckles swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Knuckles tries for a takedown. No joy.
Knuckles lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Knuckles's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Krenakore's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Brass Knuckles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles takes one to the chin there.
Knuckles tries for a takedown but Krenakore sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
It seemed like Krenakore was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Knuckles shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Knuckles misses with a takedown
and Krenakore counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A shot to the liver by Krenakore. Beautiful body shot.
Krenakore throws a right hand that Knuckles ducks under and follows up with a left that Knuckles also avoids with ease.
Krenakore works the jab nicely.
Knuckles lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Krenakore lands a slapping body shot.
Krenakore scores with a jab to the body.
Knuckles takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mengrire Krenakore comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Krenakore 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 26:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mengrire Krenakore!
Our winner, Mengrire Krenakore, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.