PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joaquim Antunes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malakai Semerkhet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Semerkhet has chosen راقصة صغيرة as his entrance music. Malakai Semerkhet has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Joaquim Antunes's chin.

Antunes
vs
Semerkhet

175 cm
24
155 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

170 cm
24
154 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu. 15%
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Conquer
Conviction

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 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joaquim Antunes!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Malakai Semerkhet!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jonathan Paton and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Antunes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Antunes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Antunes is thwarting Semerkhet's attempts to control the position.
Antunes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semerkhet holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Antunes looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Semerkhet regains full guard. Nicely done.
Semerkhet is trying to keep Antunes in close.
Antunes postures up in Semerkhet's guard and throws a big left but Semerkhet blocks it.
Semerkhet trying to keep a closed guard but Antunes is proving a slippery customer.
Antunes trying to control the position from guard on top but Semerkhet is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Antunes scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Antunes wants to pass the guard but Semerkhet is keeping the position.
Semerkhet has his hands on Antunes's head, controlling the position.
Antunes postures up and lands a big shot to Semerkhet's brow.

Semerkhet looking for a guillotine here but Antunes defends easily.
Antunes throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Antunes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Antunes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Semerkhet is trying to control the position but Antunes postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Antunes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Semerkhet swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Semerkhet keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Semerkhet swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquim Antunes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Antunes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Semerkhet pinned against the cage. Semerkhet gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Antunes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Antunes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Semerkhet stuffs the takedown.

Antunes throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Semerkhet tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Antunes is in Semerkhet's guard.
Semerkhet is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Antunes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Antunes works over Semerkhet with some ground and pound from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Semerkhet keeping moving, preventing Antunes from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Antunes works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semerkhet is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Antunes scores with a couple of nice shots.
Semerkhet is trying to get back to full guard.

Antunes seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Semerkhet has recovered full guard.
Antunes 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.
Antunes lands a couple of digs.

Semerkhet escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Antunes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Antunes sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Semerkhet's guard.
Joaquim Antunes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Antunes wants to pass the guard but Semerkhet is defending well.
Semerkhet is trying to control but can't.
Antunes passes to full mount!
Antunes landing strikes from the mount and Semerkhet is in trouble!
Antunes is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Semerkhet can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Antunes putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Antunes raining down hammerfists from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Semerkhet is in a horrible position here. Antunes smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Antunes landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet is squirming around, avoiding Antunes's attempts to control the action.
Antunes landing strikes, looking to finish!
Antunes lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Antunes is landing with some decent strikes but Semerkhet is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Semerkhet taking shots to the head.
Antunes punishing his opponent with strikes.
Semerkhet is working to get back to half guard.
Antunes breaks from Semerkhet's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semerkhet tries to reverse the position but Antunes maintains control.
Antunes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Semerkhet can do to turn this around?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Antunes with the ground and pound from mount.
Semerkhet is bucking up trying to escape but Antunes cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Antunes looking to finish Semerkhet with some ground and pound. This is bad for Semerkhet!
The referee warns Semerkhet that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Semerkhet tries to hold on but Antunes pushes him away.
Antunes lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Antunes lands a heavy elbow.
Semerkhet tries to hold on but Antunes postures up.
Antunes dominating with strikes here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Antunes dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Antunes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Antunes tries for a takedown but Semerkhet circles away easily
and Semerkhet counters with a nice leg kick.
Antunes tries for a takedown but Semerkhet sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Semerkhet appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquim Antunes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Antunes fails to land the takedown.
Semerkhet steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semerkhet slaps away a takedown attempt from Antunes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Antunes looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Antunes fails with the takedown.
Semerkhet let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Semerkhet stuffs the takedown attempt from Antunes. Antunes gets slowly back to his feet.
Despite the aggression on Semerkhet's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's two 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.
Antunes dives in for a single leg takedown but Semerkhet sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Antunes with a poor takedown
and Semerkhet counters with a two punch combo.
Antunes shoots in but Semerkhet avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Antunes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
As Antunes backs off Semerkhet throws a huge counter combo but Antunes manages to avoid it all.
Antunes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Semerkhet defends it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Semerkhet! But no joy.
Joaquim Antunes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Semerkhet stuffs the takedown attempt from Antunes. Antunes gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Antunes has a takedown stuffed.
Semerkhet appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Semerkhet slaps away a takedown attempt from Antunes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Antunes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Semerkhet sprawls well. Semerkhet wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Antunes gets slowly back to his feet.
Antunes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Semerkhet doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Antunes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Semerkhet counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquim Antunes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antunes fails with the takedown.
No luck for Antunes with that takedown attempt.
Semerkhet tries a quick counter leg kick but Antunes is wise to it.
Antunes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Semerkhet sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Antunes somewhat.
Semerkhet looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Antunes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Semerkhet throws out a counter right but Antunes avoids it with no problem.
Antunes with a lazy takedown attempt
and Semerkhet counters with an outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Antunes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Semerkhet pinned against the cage. Semerkhet gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Semerkhet looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Antunes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Semerkhet as he avoids it easily.
Antunes shoots in looking for a takedown but Semerkhet manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Antunes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Antunes fails with a takedown attempt.
Semerkhet feints a counter leg kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Antunes fails with a takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Semerkhet! But no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malakai Semerkhet dominated that fourth round.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Antunes shoots for a double leg takedown but Semerkhet sprawls well. He's pushed Antunes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Semerkhet tries a quick counter leg kick but Antunes is wise to it.
Antunes tries for a takedown but Semerkhet circles away easily
and Semerkhet counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Antunes fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquim Antunes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Antunes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Semerkhet's waist but Semerkhet gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Antunes off to one side.
Semerkhet looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antunes shoots in looking for a takedown. Semerkhet tries to sprawl out of it but Antunes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Semerkhet manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Antunes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Semerkhet is fending him off so far but Antunes persists. Nope, Semerkhet circles away and we're back to standing.
Antunes goes for a double leg but Semerkhet avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Semerkhet continues to drive forward.
Semerkhet thinks about the counter body kick.

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.
Antunes shoots in looking for a takedown. Semerkhet tries to sprawl out of it but Antunes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Semerkhet manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Antunes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Semerkhet tries to avoid it but Antunes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Semerkhet to the ground. Semerkhet escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Antunes with a lazy takedown attempt
and Semerkhet counters with a low kick, right behind Antunes 's knee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Antunes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Semerkhet sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Semerkhet was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Antunes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Semerkhet! But no joy.
Antunes fails to land the takedown.
Semerkhet lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Malakai Semerkhet seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Semerkhet slaps away a takedown attempt from Antunes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Semerkhet counters with a body kick.
Antunes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Semerkhet tries to avoid it but Antunes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Semerkhet to the ground. Semerkhet escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Antunes fails with the takedown
and Semerkhet counters with a one-two to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malakai Semerkhet comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Semerkhet 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 44:47
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 44:47
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 44:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malakai Semerkhet!
Malakai Semerkhet is the new featherweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Malakai Semerkhet thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.