PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bernardo Muriel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hery Rabemananjara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Muriel
vs
Rabemananjara

187 cm
26
205 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

182 cm
26
205 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bernardo Muriel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hery Rabemananjara!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Muriel darts in and clinches Rabemananjara up against the cage.
Rabemananjara stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Muriel swings wildly with an uppercut but Rabemananjara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muriel scores with a shoulder strike.
Rabemananjara effectively controlling the action here.
Muriel lands a right hand.
Rabemananjara misses with a hook to the ribs.
Muriel cracks Rabemananjara with a nice body shot.
Rabemananjara scores with a shoulder strike.
Rabemananjara lands a left hand.
Rabemananjara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Muriel can't find room to land a body shot as Rabemananjara controls the action.
Muriel taking a breather.
Muriel tries a body shot but Rabemananjara blocks it.
Muriel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rabemananjara tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Rabemananjara on the inside.
Rabemananjara struggles to land a body shot inside as Muriel controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muriel stalling the fight.
Rabemananjara is trying to maintain a safe position but Muriel gets an underhook and turns Rabemananjara into the cage.
Rabemananjara misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The referee calls for Muriel to work.
Muriel avoiding damage.
Muriel throws a head punch that misses.
A short left from Rabemananjara.
Rabemananjara trying to stall but Muriel improves his position.
Muriel wants to stall.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Muriel.
Rabemananjara misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Muriel presses Rabemananjara against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rabemananjara lands with a short shot to the head.
Muriel lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Muriel.
Muriel leaning against his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muriel slows down the pace here.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Muriel for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Muriel lands with a light punch inside.
Rabemananjara lands a nice shot to the body.
Muriel has Rabemananjara pushed against the cage.
Muriel blocking some punches.
Rabemananjara has a couple of punches blocked by Muriel.
Muriel misses with the head strike.
Rabemananjara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Rabemananjara scores with a nice short uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muriel misses with a body punch.
Muriel gets through Rabemananjara's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Muriel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rabemananjara blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Muriel digs a right hand underneath Rabemananjara's ribcage. Rabemananjara let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Muriel works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Muriel taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muriel lands a body shot in the clinch.
Rabemananjara tries to work over Muriel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Muriel will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rabemananjara up against the cage.
Muriel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've been informed that Rabemananjara has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Rabemananjara blocks an uppercut.
Rabemananjara misses with a body punch.
Rabemananjara lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rabemananjara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rabemananjara working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Muriel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rabemananjara swings wildly with an uppercut but Muriel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muriel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Muriel lands a nice uppercut.
Rabemananjara lands a hook that snaps the head of Muriel backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rabemananjara looking to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rabemananjara as Muriel tries to tie him up.
Rabemananjara struggles to land a body shot inside as Muriel controls his hands.
Rabemananjara working aggressively here.
Rabemananjara throws a head punch that misses.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Muriel takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rabemananjara blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Muriel presses Rabemananjara against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rabemananjara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Muriel lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rabemananjara.
Rabemananjara can't find room to land a body shot as Muriel controls the action.
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!
Rabemananjara misses with a hook from the clinch.
Muriel lands an uppercut.
Rabemananjara lands with a light punch inside.
Rabemananjara makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Muriel effectively controlling the action here.
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 Bernardo Muriel will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Muriel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rabemananjara moves away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Muriel.
Muriel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Despite the aggression on Rabemananjara's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Muriel clinches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Muriel lands a nice uppercut.
Muriel can't find room to land a body shot as Rabemananjara controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muriel stalling against the cage.
Muriel tries to work over Rabemananjara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rabemananjara swings wildly with an uppercut but Muriel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rabemananjara working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muriel blocks a body shot from Rabemananjara.
A short uppercut from Muriel.
Muriel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Muriel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rabemananjara lands an uppercut.
Rabemananjara is trying to maintain a safe position but Muriel gets an underhook and turns Rabemananjara into the cage.
Rabemananjara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Muriel taking a breather.
Rabemananjara lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Muriel leaning against his opponent.
Rabemananjara letting Muriel take a breather here.
Bernardo Muriel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Muriel lands a body shot in the clinch.
Muriel lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rabemananjara can't find room to land a body shot as Muriel controls the action.
Rabemananjara swings wildly with an uppercut but Muriel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muriel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rabemananjara backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabemananjara lands with a right to the head.
Muriel working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muriel lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Muriel.
Muriel prevents a body shot from Rabemananjara.
Rabemananjara prevents a body shot from Muriel.
Rabemananjara lands a left hand.
Muriel tries to throw a body punch but Rabemananjara avoids it by throwing Muriel back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Rabemananjara - that landed with a thud.
Muriel trying to stall but Rabemananjara improves his position.
A short right from Muriel.
Rabemananjara lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Muriel lands with a left to the head.
A body shot lands from Muriel.
A short right from Rabemananjara.
Rabemananjara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short body shot lands from Rabemananjara as the two fighters clinch.
Muriel leaning against his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Muriel.
Muriel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rabemananjara pushes Muriel back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Muriel is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Muriel.
Rabemananjara can't find room to land a body shot as Muriel controls the action.
Muriel prevents a body shot from Rabemananjara.
Muriel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Muriel cracks Rabemananjara with a nice body shot.
Rabemananjara working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Muriel working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Muriel blocks an uppercut.
Stalling in the clinch from Muriel.
Muriel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rabemananjara misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rabemananjara blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muriel works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rabemananjara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Muriel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rabemananjara blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rabemananjara is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Muriel throws a head punch that misses.
Rabemananjara misses with a punch on the inside.
Rabemananjara misses with a hook from the clinch.
Muriel is leaning against Rabemananjara and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muriel lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rabemananjara lands a right hand.
Muriel lands a shoulder strike.
Rabemananjara misses with a punch on the inside.
Muriel blocks an uppercut.
A hook to the body from Muriel.
Rabemananjara's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Muriel gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rabemananjara misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Muriel scores with a shoulder strike.
Rabemananjara misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Muriel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Rabemananjara on the inside.
Muriel has Rabemananjara pushed against the cage.
Rabemananjara's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nice body punch from Muriel - that landed with a thud.
Rabemananjara tries a body shot but Muriel blocks it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muriel lands a body shot.
Muriel blocking some punches.
Muriel lands a nice uppercut.
Rabemananjara misses with a hook to the ribs.
Muriel lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rabemananjara backwards.
Rabemananjara has a couple of punches blocked by Muriel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabemananjara throws a head punch that misses.
Muriel blocks a body shot from Rabemananjara.
Rabemananjara can't find room to land a body shot as Muriel controls the action.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Muriel.
A short left from Muriel.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Muriel.
A short right from Muriel on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Muriel.
Muriel misses with a punch to the body.
Muriel tries to work over Rabemananjara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Muriel leaning against his opponent.
Muriel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rabemananjara being controlled against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Rabemananjara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Muriel's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabemananjara misses with a punch to the body.
Muriel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Rabemananjara fails to land.
Muriel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rabemananjara misses with a hook to the ribs.
Muriel lands a left hand.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Muriel.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Muriel lands a left hand.
Rabemananjara tries to throw a body punch but Muriel avoids it by throwing Rabemananjara back against the cage.
Rabemananjara misses with some punches.
Muriel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rabemananjara backwards.
Muriel displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rabemananjara up against the cage.
Rabemananjara tries a body shot but Muriel blocks it.
Muriel leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short right from Rabemananjara.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabemananjara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Muriel's elbow.
Rabemananjara tries a body shot but Muriel blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Muriel fails to land.
Muriel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rabemananjara can do to turn this around?
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Muriel.
Rabemananjara pushes Muriel back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Muriel.
Rabemananjara fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Muriel gets through Rabemananjara's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Muriel lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Rabemananjara fails to land.
Muriel lands a nice uppercut.
Muriel lands a left hand.
Muriel digs a right hand underneath Rabemananjara's ribcage. Rabemananjara let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Muriel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rabemananjara lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muriel throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rabemananjaras head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Muriel.
Muriel tries to work over Rabemananjara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Muriel misses with a body punch.
Muriel lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rabemananjara backwards.
Rabemananjara misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Muriel working aggressively here.
Muriel lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rabemananjara backwards.
Muriel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Muriel lands with a light punch inside.
Muriel scores with a nice hook to the head.
Muriel can't find room to land a body shot as Rabemananjara controls the action.
Muriel scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Muriel lands a body punch in the clinch.
Muriel lands with a right to the head.

Rabemananjara is rocked!
Rabemananjara tries a body shot but Muriel blocks it.
Muriel lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rabemananjara or not.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernardo Muriel clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

The fight stays on the outside here - Muriel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Muriel tries to land a front kick but Rabemananjara steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Muriel takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Muriel scores with a jab to the head.

Rabemananjara tries to keep at a distance but Muriel has taken the fight into the clinch.
Muriel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Muriel swings wildly with an uppercut but Rabemananjara uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rabemananjara blocks a body shot from Muriel.
Rabemananjara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Muriel's elbow.
Good body shot from Muriel.
Muriel lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rabemananjara or not.
Muriel throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muriel lands with a left to the head.
Rabemananjara is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Muriel working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Muriel scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rabemananjara prevents a body shot from Muriel.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Muriel.
Rabemananjara is still on wobbly legs! Can Muriel finish him?
Muriel struggles to land a body shot inside as Rabemananjara controls his hands.
Muriel lands a body shot.
Nice body punch from Muriel - that landed with a thud.
Rabemananjara seems to have recovered his senses.
Muriel scores with a shoulder strike.
Muriel lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Muriel blocking some punches.
Muriel scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Muriel.
Rabemananjara misses with a body punch.
Muriel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Rabemananjara fails to land.
Muriel slowing the pace effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabemananjara's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rabemananjara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Muriel just leaning against Rabemananjara, taking a breather.
Rabemananjara misses with a short punch on the inside.
Muriel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Muriel lands with a right to the head.
Muriel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rabemananjara's elbow.
Rabemananjara working aggressively here.
Muriel lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Muriel cracks Rabemananjara with a nice body shot.
Muriel lands a left hand.
Muriel lands a big right hand that drops Rabemananjara! The killer instinct kicks in and Muriel finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Muriel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bernardo Muriel!
Bernardo Muriel retains his light heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Bernardo Muriel thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.