PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Malakai Semerkhet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Semerkhet
vs
Franklin

170 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Malakai Semerkhet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Benjamin Franklin!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, John Roberts and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franklin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Semerkhet can pounce on him.

Franklin closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Semerkhet's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Semerkhet has Franklin pulled in close to control his posture.
Semerkhet is looking to stand up but Franklin isn't so interested in that idea.
Semerkhet seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Malakai Semerkhet has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Semerkhet tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Semerkhet jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Franklin feints and as Semerkhet raises his hands in defense, Franklin changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Franklin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Franklin throws a big elbow that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Franklin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Franklin is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Franklin is looking to work some ground and pound but Semerkhet has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semerkhet is looking to stand back up but Franklin counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Semerkhet.
Semerkhet keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Semerkhet controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Franklin is working for a submission of some sort.
Franklin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Semerkhet defending well though.
Semerkhet wants to get back to full guard.

Franklin is trying to work for a kimura but Semerkhet is defending well.
Franklin is pressing down on Semerkhet's thigh, looking to free his foot. Semerkhet is holding on for now.
Semerkhet tries to get to full guard but Franklin has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Franklin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Franklin thows a huge punch but Semerkhet dodges it nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Semerkhet avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Franklin.
Franklin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Semerkhet keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Franklin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Semerkhet wants to control but Franklin passes into side.
Semerkhet knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Franklin on the ground.
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!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Franklin working the ground and pound.
Semerkhet is looking to regain half guard here but Franklin keeps moving and retains side control.
Semerkhet managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Franklin.
Franklin looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Semerkhet is avoiding damage well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin has control of an arm but Semerkhet manages to advance to Franklin's back!
Semerkhet is hanging on to Franklin's back as he tries to escape.
Franklin tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Franklin is desperately trying to improve his position but Semerkhet has a good base and remains in mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Franklin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Semerkhet controlling his opponent.
Franklin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Semerkhet is looking to take a break and control but Franklin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Malakai Semerkhet wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Semerkhet fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Franklin has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Semerkhet gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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!
Semerkhet has Franklin pulled in close to control his posture.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Franklin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Franklin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Franklin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Semerkhet swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Franklin dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Semerkhet throws a front kick that sends Franklin stumbling back into the cage.
Semerkhet scores with a nice body kick.
Franklin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Semerkhet lets loose with a powerful body kick. Franklin will feel that in the morning.
Franklin tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Semerkhet tries to clinch up but Franklin circles away and keeps his distance.
Semerkhet goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Franklin blocks a head kick by Semerkhet.
Semerkhet moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Semerkhet throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Malakai Semerkhet is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Franklin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Franklin showed some decent athleticism there.
Semerkhet is looking to escape.
Franklin is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Semerkhet keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Semerkhet is controlling Franklin's position as best he can from this difficult position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Malakai Semerkhet wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Semerkhet lands a leg kick that knocks Franklin off balance momentarily.
A good leg kick by Semerkhet.
Semerkhet moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Malakai Semerkhet is winning the standup battle so far.
Franklin avoids a punch combination nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Semerkhet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Semerkhet looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Franklin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Franklin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Semerkhet defending against the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Semerkhet's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Semerkhet is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Semerkhet is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Franklin's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Franklin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Franklin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Semerkhet is trying to control but can't.
Ground and pound from Franklin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Semerkhet tries to get to full guard but Franklin has control of the leg.
Semerkhet is working hard here to advance position.
Franklin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Semerkhet pushes Franklin off looking to stand but Franklin dives back in and keeps control.
Franklin trying to mount his opponent but Semerkhet defends it.
Franklin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Semerkhet trying to hold on to Franklin's head to control him but Franklin postures up.
Semerkhet is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Franklin scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet regains full guard. Nicely done.
Semerkhet wants to stand up but Franklin is controlling him.

Franklin drops back looking for a leg! Semerkhet is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Semerkhet manages to kick Franklin off! Franklin jumps back into Semerkhet's guard.
Franklin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Franklin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Franklin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Franklin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Franklin is looking to work some ground and pound but Semerkhet has wrist control.
Semerkhet is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Franklin dives into side control.
Franklin tries to move to mount but Semerkhet blocks the move with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malakai Semerkhet dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Franklin takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Malakai Semerkhet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Franklin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Franklin tries to keep at a distance but Semerkhet has taken the fight into the clinch.
Semerkhet tries to break the clinch but Franklin is controlling the position.
Franklin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Semerkhet's efforts to push away.
Semerkhet wants to break free but Franklin has control.
Semerkhet wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Semerkhet breaks the clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Semerkhet.
A head kick misses from Semerkhet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semerkhet is looking to land body kicks.
Good leg kick by Semerkhet there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Semerkhet lands with a slapping head kick.
Semerkhet lands a front kick.

Franklin pushes Semerkhet up against the cage in a clinch.
Semerkhet wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Semerkhet tries to circle away but Franklin has him pinned against the cage.
Franklin has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Semerkhet.
Franklin keeps control of Semerkhet as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Franklin is trying to trip Semerkhet. He has hold of a leg but Semerkhet is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Franklin persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Franklin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Franklin throwing strikes from guard but Semerkhet blocks nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Franklin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Franklin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin with a nice head shot there.
Semerkhet trying to control the position here.
Semerkhet is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Semerkhet wants to stand and escape but Franklin is having none of it.
Franklin passes Semerkhet's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Franklin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Franklin thows a huge punch but Semerkhet dodges it nicely.
Semerkhet controlling the position for now.
Semerkhet is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet wants to get back to full guard.
Franklin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Semerkhet's head.

Franklin 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.
Semerkhet is trying to maintain the position but Franklin is very close to passing his half guard.
Semerkhet might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Semerkhet is in trouble now - Franklin has advanced to mount!
Semerkhet tries to hold on but Franklin pushes him away.
Semerkhet keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Franklin lands with some strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Franklin looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Semerkhet tries to hold on but Franklin postures up.
Benjamin Franklin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Franklin lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Franklin is working for a guillotine from mount but Semerkhet frees his head quite easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Semerkhet avoids a series of strikes thrown by Franklin.
Semerkhet tries to get back to half guard but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Franklin looking to finish Semerkhet with some ground and pound. This is bad for Semerkhet!
Franklin scoring with strikes but Semerkhet is staying in there.
Semerkhet wants to control but Franklin is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Benjamin Franklin.
I think Franklin 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Franklin!