PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Pierre Hennard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kristan Maruyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Kristan Maruyama enters the cage!

Pierre Hennard
vs
Maruyama

175 cm
27
212 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

191 cm
26
218 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

MB Nutrition

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, George Pierre Hennard!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Kristan Maruyama!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hennard drives through and clinches with Maruyama against the cage.
Hennard is looking to control Maruyama's arms but Maruyama gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hennard has his back to the cage.
Hennard is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Maruyama gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hennard is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maruyama is defending well.
Maruyama tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hennard's elbow.
Hennard gets underhooks to prevent Maruyama's takedown attempt.
Maruyama pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Maruyama tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maruyama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hennard is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maruyama is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Pierre Hennard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hennard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maruyama tries to clinch but Hennard is having none of it.
Maruyama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hennard shoots in and drives through. Maruyama sprawls well.
Hennard throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Maruyama stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Maruyama gets caught flat footed, as Hennard shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Maruyama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hennard controlling from the top position.
Maruyama is trying to control the position but Hennard postures up.
Hennard is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Maruyama is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hennard is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hennard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hennard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maruyama swivels though and keeps the full guard.

George Pierre Hennard has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hennard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hennard dives in for a single leg takedown but Maruyama sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hennard is trying to force a seperation but Maruyama has the dominant position.
Hennard dodges an elbow strike from Maruyama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maruyama throws an elbow that misses.
Hennard avoids a wild elbow strike from Maruyama.

Hennard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maruyama uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hennard.

Hennard dives in and scores a takedown into Maruyama's guard.
Hennard stays in close to Maruyama's body and controls the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Maruyama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hennard defends well.
Maruyama keeping full guard, as Hennard tries to pass.
Maruyama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hennard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Maruyama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Maruyama keeping full guard, as Hennard tries to pass.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Maruyama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hennard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hennard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Maruyama working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hennard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hennard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Maruyama keeping full guard, as Hennard tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hennard seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Maruyama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hennard wants to control from the top but Maruyama keeps moving.
Hennard looking to sit in guard and control but Maruyama gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hennard has an active guard here but Maruyama has managed to pass into half guard.

Hennard looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hennard makes his way to full guard, as Maruyama worked for a kimura.
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 George Pierre Hennard will probably get the nod.
That's time! Hennard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Maruyama wants to clinch up but Hennard keeps it at a distance.
Maruyama tries to clinch but Hennard moves out of range.

Hennard has Maruyama up against the cage in a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Hennard.

Hennard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maruyama throws a right and a left that Hennard avoids nicely.
Hennard tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maruyama manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maruyama stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Maruyama wants it to stay on the feet.
Maruyama tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hennard defends well and Maruyama ends up having to push Hennard into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hennard tries for a takedown but Maruyama manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maruyama is trying to trip Hennard. He has hold of a leg but Hennard is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Maruyama persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Hennard looking to control.

Maruyama avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hennard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maruyama is one step ahead there.
Hennard trying to control the position.
Maruyama trying to move into half guard but instead Hennard has managed to sweep!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maruyama keeping moving, preventing Hennard from controlling successfully.
Hennard passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Maruyama is looking for a sweep.
Hennard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maruyama keeps working.
Hennard is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Maruyama is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hennard takes a little break here. Maruyama wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
George Pierre Hennard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hennard is looking to take a break and control but Maruyama is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Maruyama looks to move to half guard but instead Hennard has passed into mount! Damn!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maruyama is in all sorts of trouble here.

Hennard jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Maruyama is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Maruyama and Hennard has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Hennard controls the position.

Hennard wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Maruyama, who protects the arm well.
Hennard advances to full mount.
Maruyama felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Maruyama is looking to improve his position but Hennard isn't that keen on the idea.

Hennard looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Hennard content just to control the position here.
Hennard wants to control the pace but Maruyama is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maruyama is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hennard looking to control and managing it successfully.
Maruyama is working to get back to half guard.
Maruyama is squirming around, avoiding Hennard's attempts to control the action.
Maruyama can't escape the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hennard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Maruyama sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hennard trying to control from half guard but Maruyama is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

We're going to have a standup here because George Pierre Hennard wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Maruyama fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hennard, pushing him back against the cage.
Hennard blocks an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Pierre Hennard dominated that second 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.

Hennard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maruyama wants to clinch up but Hennard keeps it at a distance.
Hennard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Maruyama but Maruyama pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Maruyama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Hennard darts in and clinches Maruyama up against the cage.

Hennard is trying to trip Maruyama. He has hold of a leg but Maruyama is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Hennard persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Hennard controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hennard looking to pass the guard.
Maruyama keeping moving, preventing Hennard from controlling successfully.
Hennard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maruyama swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Maruyama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Maruyama has his foot on Hennard's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hennard works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hennard trying to control the position from guard on top but Maruyama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hennard passes Maruyama's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Maruyama is not content to let Hennard control the position.
Hennard tries to pass the half guard into mount. Maruyama knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Maruyama looking for submissions off his back.
Hennard has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Maruyama tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Hennard jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Maruyama manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Hennard moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hennard is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Maruyama has escaped the position, nice work there.
Maruyama tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hennard tries to move into full mount but can't pass Maruyama's legs.
Hennard trying to control the position but Maruyama is working away.

Hennard working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maruyama is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hennard thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hennard trying to control the action but Maruyama is working from the bottom.
Maruyama is trying to improve his position.
Hennard moves into full mount!
Hennard tries to control but Maruyama wriggling away.
Maruyama looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Hennard controlling the positon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maruyama rolls, trying to escape but Hennard keeps control of the position.

Maruyama won't enjoy being in this position. Hennard looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Maruyama is tapping - it's over boys! Hennard picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). George Pierre Hennard!
George Pierre Hennard retains his light heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, George Pierre Hennard thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.