PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ishmael Egyptian (ranked 702 p4p, 564 weight class) and Mengrire Krenakore (ranked 50 p4p, 36 weight class). Mengrire Krenakore has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Egyptian
vs
Krenakore

175 cm
29
143
13 - 8 - 1

175 cm
31
157
19 - 13 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm 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 13 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ishmael Egyptian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mengrire Krenakore!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krenakore throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Egyptian 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.
A looping hook to the body misses from Krenakore. Egyptian does a little dance to reset his feet.
Egyptian tries to clinch there but Krenakore circles away.
Krenakore on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Krenakore bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Krenakore misses with a double jab.
Krenakore loads up on a big right hand but Egyptian slips the punch.
Krenakore looks to land a combination but Egyptian avoids it well.
Krenakore misses with an uppercut. Egyptian saw that one coming.
Egyptian tries to counter with a takedown but Krenakore is quick to defend against it.
Krenakore throws a body punch but Egyptian moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donk. Krenakore catches Egyptian right on the button with a cross.
Krenakore takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Egyptian uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Krenakore.
Krenakore throws a hook but Egyptian avoids it easily.
Krenakore thuds a left hand into Egyptian's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krenakore has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Krenakore there as he acknowledges the shot.
Egyptian lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Krenakore misses with a looping left.
Egyptian appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Krenakore throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Egyptian bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Egyptian slips under a jab.
Egyptian half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Egyptian throws a big shot that misses.
Egyptian staying out of range there.
Egyptian appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Krenakore. No joy for Egyptian on that attempt.
Krenakore throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Egyptian sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Krenakore throws a series of punches but Egyptian moves out of range.
Egyptian half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Egyptian tries to close the distance and clinch up but Krenakore swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sloppy strikes from Krenakore. Those never looked like landing.
Egyptian changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mengrire Krenakore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Egyptian slips a straight right by Krenakore.
Egyptian drops down looking for a counter takedown but Krenakore sprawls and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Egyptian misses its intended target.
Krenakore takes a swing at Egyptian's ribcage but misses.
Krenakore throws a jab but it's blocked by Egyptian.
Krenakore throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Krenakore waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Egyptian.

Egyptian looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Krenakore kicks Egyptian off and gets to his feet.
Egyptian defending well as Krenakore loads up on a big left hand.
Egyptian tries to counter with a takedown but Krenakore is quick to defend against it.
Krenakore takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Krenakore throws a hook but Egyptian blocks it.
Egyptian shoots in and drives through. Krenakore sprawls well.
Krenakore swings for the body but Egyptian moves out of range.
Egyptian drops his hands momentarily and Krenakore takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Krenakore enables Egyptian to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Krenakore manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Krenakore wants to stand but Egyptian is controlling the position.
Egyptian stands up over Krenakore, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Egyptian trying to control the position from guard on top but Krenakore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Egyptian tries to free his leg and advance position but Krenakore is retaining full guard.
Egyptian won't allow Krenakore to get back to his feet.
Krenakore keeping moving, preventing Egyptian from controlling successfully.
Egyptian looking to pass the guard.
Egyptian in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Krenakore is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Egyptian is controlling him.
Egyptian trying to control the position from guard on top but Krenakore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Krenakore wants to stand and escape but Egyptian is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Egyptian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Egyptian won't allow Krenakore to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sloppy strikes from Krenakore. Those never looked like landing.
Krenakore throws a lazy uppercut

and Egyptian counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Egyptian landing some decent shots from guard.
Egyptian trying to control but Krenakore is working from the bottom.
Krenakore wants to stand and escape but Egyptian is having none of it.
Egyptian trying to control the position from guard on top but Krenakore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Krenakore keeping full guard, as Egyptian tries to pass.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Egyptian is working hard here to advance position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Krenakore working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Egyptian.
Egyptian stops Krenakore from standing up.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Krenakore has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Egyptian is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
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.

Krenakore throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Egyptian.
Egyptian appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Krenakore thows a left - swing and a miss!
Egyptian appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Egyptian takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Krenakore slips under a jab.
Egyptian looks to land a right hand but Krenakore moved out of range.
Krenakore takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Egyptian tries to clinch but Krenakore moves out of range.
A jab from Krenakore misses.
A big left from Krenakore misses.
Egyptian feinted with a counter takedown.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krenakore misses with an uppercut.
Krenakore throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Krenakore takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Krenakore digs a good hook to Egyptian's body.
Egyptian moves away from the strike by Krenakore.
Egyptian drops down looking for a counter takedown but Krenakore sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krenakore misses with a hook.
Krenakore jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Krenakore misses with an uppercut

and Egyptian counters with a shoot takedown. Krenakore fights it but they end up in guard.

Krenakore is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Egyptian presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Krenakore breaks from the clinch.
Egyptian misses the jab.
Krenakore appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Egyptian defending well as Krenakore loads up on a big left hand.
Krenakore throws a sloppy body shot

and Egyptian counters with a single leg into guard. Krenakore didn't expect that.

Krenakore pushes Egyptian off and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Krenakore with a jab.
Krenakore throws a body shot but no joy.
Egyptian appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Egyptian uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Krenakore.
Egyptian changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A looping hook to the body misses from Krenakore. Egyptian does a little dance to reset his feet.
Krenakore throws a body shot but no joy.
Krenakore throws a left and a right that both miss

and Egyptian counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Krenakore!

Egyptian is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Krenakore is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Krenakore is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Egyptian has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Egyptian 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.

Egyptian is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Krenakore has escaped the position, nice work there.
Egyptian connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Krenakore some visible discomfort.

Egyptian is trying to get an arm triangle but Krenakore is defending well.
Krenakore tries to escape but Egyptian is in control.

Egyptian tries for a kimura but Krenakore is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Egyptian works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Egyptian wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Krenakore, who protects the arm well.
Krenakore is trying to buck Egyptian off.
Krenakore is not content to let Egyptian control the position.

Egyptian is trying to get an arm triangle but Krenakore is defending well.
Krenakore is trying to get back to his feet.
Egyptian advances to mount.
Krenakore is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Krenakore is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore is controlling an arm, preventing Egyptian from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

Egyptian has control of Krenakore's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Krenakore regains control of the situation pretty easily.
A nice elbow there by Egyptian.
Egyptian is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Egyptian working away from the top, dropping strikes.
You get the feeling that Krenakore really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Egyptian lands a heavy elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Egyptian can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Krenakore is looking to escape.
Krenakore squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
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 Ishmael Egyptian will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Egyptian will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Krenakore looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Egyptian keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Krenakore.
Egyptian half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Egyptian takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Krenakore throws a left and a right that both miss

and Egyptian counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Krenakore!
Krenakore wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

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

Egyptian thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krenakore is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Egyptian cracks Krenakore with a big right hand but Krenakore just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Egyptian is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Krenakore is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Krenakore is trying to get back to his feet.

Krenakore throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Egyptian shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Krenakore pinned against the cage. Krenakore gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Krenakore is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Krenakore throws a jab when Egyptian was well out of range.
Krenakore throws a hook but Egyptian avoids it easily.
Krenakore misses with a hook.
Egyptian moves away from the strike by Krenakore.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Egyptian is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Krenakore swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Krenakore misses with a hook.
Krenakore misses with a looping left.
Krenakore throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Krenakore throws a nice looking combination but Egyptian bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Krenakore tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Egyptian was well out of range. Poor timing from Krenakore.
Egyptian ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Krenakore moves away.
Krenakore throws a looping overhand right but Egyptian ducks down to avoid it.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Krenakore enables Egyptian to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Krenakore manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Krenakore has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Egyptian has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Egyptian lands a hook that snaps the head of Krenakore backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Egyptian has him pressed against the cage.

Krenakore breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Krenakore swings widly with a right hand

and Egyptian counters with a single leg into guard. Krenakore didn't expect that.

Egyptian 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Egyptian won't allow Krenakore to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Krenakore pushes Egyptian off and gets back to his feet.
Krenakore swings for the body but Egyptian moves out of range.
Egyptian appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Egyptian's corner calls for a 1-2. Egyptian obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Krenakore swings for the body but Egyptian moves out of range.
Egyptian drops down looking for a counter takedown but Krenakore sprawls and moves away.
Krenakore drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Egyptian lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Egyptian gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Krenakore.
Krenakore scores with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krenakore lands a right hook to the body.
Krenakore moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Krenakore throws the left hand but Egyptian avoids the punch easily.
Krenakore keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Egyptian.
Krenakore throws out a counter right but Egyptian avoids it with no problem.
Krenakore throws an off balance right hand

and Egyptian counters with a takedown into side control.
Krenakore tries to escape but Egyptian is in control.
Egyptian scoring with punches and elbows.
Krenakore is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Egyptian has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Krenakore takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Egyptian tries to advance to mount but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mengrire Krenakore comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Krenakore has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mengrire Krenakore!
Mengrire Krenakore seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Ishmael Egyptian was interviewed post fight and said 'What the hell was that?'.