PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Erik Hiller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgeni Elkemenchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiller comes to the cage accompanied by Rush and Run - Shake and Jump. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Hiller
vs
Elkemenchi

176 cm
25
169 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

172 cm
23
168 lbs
2 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Erik Hiller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Evgeni Elkemenchi!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jorge Garcia and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hiller throws a head kick that misses.
Hiller lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hiller throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hiller throws a leg kick
and Elkemenchi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Elkemenchi.

Elkemenchi is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hiller's half guard.
Elkemenchi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiller is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Elkemenchi jumps into side control!
Hiller wants to control but Elkemenchi postures up.
Hiller is working to avoid the ground and pound but Elkemenchi connects with a decent elbow.
Elkemenchi creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Elkemenchi working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Elkemenchi working the body and head with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elkemenchi is looking to take a break and control but Hiller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hiller's coaches at Team Migraine have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
A lull in the action here as Elkemenchi stalls from top position.
Elkemenchi tries to advance to mount but Hiller denies him.
Elkemenchi in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hiller tries to buck Elkemenchi off but Elkemenchi is having none of it.
Hiller can't do much from the bottom here.
Hiller is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Elkemenchi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
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.

Hiller looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hiller is trying to control but can't.
Elkemenchi working the head and body with strikes.
Hiller is concentrating on defense, preventing Elkemenchi from advancing position.
Hiller avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Elkemenchi.
Elkemenchi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Elkemenchi is nestled in close to Hiller, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ground and pound from Elkemenchi.
Hiller wants to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Elkemenchi.
Elkemenchi is keen to just control but Hiller is a slippery customer.
Hiller has a hand on Elkemenchi's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Elkemenchi takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiller is squirming around, avoiding Elkemenchi's attempts to control the action.
Elkemenchi in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hiller working to try and regain half guard.
Elkemenchi has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hiller's face.
Elkemenchi putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Hiller is rocked!
Elkemenchi looking to finish here with some ground and pound. He lands one big shot that has Hiller covering up... and two more big strikes land, forcing the referee to step in and put and end to proceedings! This fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Evgeni Elkemenchi!