PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Ehrmantraut (ranked 2820 p4p, 3089 weight class) and Ivan Mrka (ranked 284 p4p, 308 weight class). Mrka has chosen Prokofiev as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Ehrmantraut
vs
Mrka

174 cm
21
153
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
157
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Conviction

METTLE

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Ehrmantraut!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ivan Mrka!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Donatello Bradman and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mrka moves into the clinch successfully.
Ehrmantraut throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ehrmantraut tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mrka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mrka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ehrmantraut misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ehrmantraut misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ehrmantraut jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mrka walks away with a smile on his face. Ehrmantraut gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ehrmantraut defending well as Mrka loads up on a big left hand.
Ivan Mrka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mrka feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ehrmantrauts jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Mrka throws a head kick but Ehrmantraut moves out of range.
Ehrmantraut swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mrka tries to clinch there but Ehrmantraut circles away.
Mrka throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ehrmantraut.
Mrka moves in looking to clinch but Ehrmantraut pushes him off.
Ehrmantraut circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ehrmantraut paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Mrka blocks a jab.
Mrka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ehrmantraut swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ehrmantraut - that will leave a mark!
Mrka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mrka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mrka throws a lazy uppercut
and Ehrmantraut counters with a nice leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ehrmantraut.
Ehrmantraut tries to work over Mrka's front leg with a kick but Mrka checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mrka moves into the clinch.
Ehrmantraut blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mrka leaning his opponent against the cage.
Mrka's coach down at Tin Can Athletics was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Mrka's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A hook to the body from Mrka.
Ehrmantraut lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mrka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Ehrmantraut breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ehrmantraut cracks Mrka with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ehrmantraut drops his hands momentarily and Mrka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mrka wants to clinch up but Ehrmantraut keeps it at a distance.
Ehrmantraut throws the kick towards the body but Mrka avoids it.
It seemed like Mrka was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mrka throws the left hand but Ehrmantraut avoids the punch easily.
Ehrmantraut moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ehrmantraut misses with a two punch combination.
A punch lands to the side of Mrka 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mrka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mrka throws a poor cross that misses
and Ehrmantraut connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ehrmantraut misses with an attempted mid kick.
Mrka looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mrka moves in looking to clinch but Ehrmantraut pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mrka moves out of range of the body kick.
Ehrmantraut looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ehrmantraut looks to land a body kick but Mrka moved away.
Ehrmantraut takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ehrmantraut cracks Mrka with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ehrmantraut lands with an overhand left.
A left lands for Ehrmantraut.
Mrka tries to clinch but Ehrmantraut is having none of it.
Mrka moves in looking to clinch but Ehrmantraut pushes him off.
Ehrmantraut lands a slapping body shot.
Mrka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ehrmantraut swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ehrmantraut lands with a straight right. Mrka didn't see that one coming.

Mrka clinches up against the cage.

Ehrmantraut escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mrka wants to clinch up but Ehrmantraut keeps it at a distance.

Mrka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Ehrmantraut escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mrka drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Mrka clinches with his opponent.
Ehrmantraut jumps guard but Mrka turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Ehrmantraut. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mrka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mrka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mrka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ehrmantraut blocks an uppercut.
Ehrmantraut tries to pull guard but Mrka holds him up against the cage and eventually Ehrmantraut drops back down to his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mrka.

Ehrmantraut manages to pull guard.
Mrka is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Mrka wants to control from the top but Ehrmantraut keeps moving.
Mrka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Ehrmantraut working for a triangle but Mrka defends it easily.
Mrka slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ehrmantraut looking for a sweep. Not yet Ehrmantraut, not yet.

Ehrmantraut is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mrka is aware though and is defending well.

Mrka avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ehrmantraut being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mrka got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ehrmantraut has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mrka has managed to get both his arms back between Ehrmantraut's legs - danger averted.
Mrka must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Ehrmantraut working for a triangle but Mrka defends it easily.
Mrka 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Ehrmantraut dominated that 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.

Mrka throws a hook but Ehrmantraut blocks it.
Mrka on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mrka scores with a kick to the body.
Mrka moves in looking to clinch but Ehrmantraut pushes him off.
Ehrmantraut throwing a counter right hand but Mrka manages to avoid it.
Ehrmantraut uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mrka.
Mrka moves in looking to clinch but Ehrmantraut pushes him off.
Mrka on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Mrka instigates a clinch.
Mrka swings wildly with an uppercut but Ehrmantraut uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ehrmantraut looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ehrmantraut.
Ehrmantraut lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mrka backwards.
Mrka swings wildly with an uppercut but Ehrmantraut uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mrka has a couple of punches blocked by Ehrmantraut.
Mrka has a couple of punches blocked by Ehrmantraut.
Ehrmantraut tries to pull guard but Mrka forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mrka stalling against the cage.
Mrka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ehrmantraut's elbow.
A short right from Ehrmantraut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mrka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ehrmantraut is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mrka can do to turn this around?
Mrka scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Mrka escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mrka dodges the punch combination from Ehrmantraut.
Mrka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ehrmantraut throws a shot from downtown. Mrka moves away and avoids it.
Ehrmantraut looks to land a combination. Mrka sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Mrka lands with an overhand left.
Mike Ehrmantraut is winning the standup battle so far.
Mrka slips a jab from Ehrmantraut.
Ehrmantraut misses with an uppercut. Mrka saw that one coming.
Mrka gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ehrmantraut walks into a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ehrmantraut misses with a straight left.

Mrka closes the distance and clinches.
Ehrmantraut tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ehrmantraut lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ehrmantraut tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Ehrmantraut. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ehrmantraut fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Mrka escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mrka doesn't manage to clinch there - Ehrmantraut circles away.

Mrka moves into range and clinches up with Ehrmantraut.
Mrka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ehrmantraut dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Mrka misses with some punches.
Ehrmantraut is looking to break free of the clinch but Mrka has double underhooks.
Ehrmantraut is trying to pull guard but Mrka has him pressed against the cage.
A short uppercut from Mrka.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Mrka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ehrmantraut swats away the attempt to clinch by Mrka.
Mrka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ehrmantraut.
A jab from Mrka finds it's way through Ehrmantraut's defenses.
Ehrmantraut will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mrka misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mrka checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ehrmantraut looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mrka scores with a jab. Ehrmantraut acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ehrmantraut tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mrka tries to clinch but Ehrmantraut moves out of range.
Ehrmantraut tried to score with a low kick but Mrka checks it.
Mrka's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ehrmantraut connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mrka scrambles back to his feet.
Mrka has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mrka there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ehrmantraut throws a low kick but Mrka moves out of range easily.
Mrka misses with a hook. Ehrmantraut ducked under it nicely.
Ehrmantraut slips under a jab from Mrka.
Ehrmantraut throws a quick counter kick to the body but Mrka avoids it.
Ehrmantraut connects with a body shot that sends Mrka's belly button to the back.
Mrka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ehrmantraut swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As Mrka looks to move away, Ehrmantraut throws a big counter combo but Mrka just gets out of the way.
Mrka throws a looping overhand right but Ehrmantraut ducks down to avoid it.
Mrka takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mrka dodges the punch combination from Ehrmantraut.
Ehrmantraut misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ehrmantraut's jab looks to have found its range, popping Mrka under the eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mrka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ehrmantraut throws a hook but Mrka blocks it.
Mrka slips under a jab.
Mrka takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Mrka moves into the clinch.
Ivan Mrka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ehrmantraut prevents a body shot from Mrka.
Ehrmantraut tries to pull guard but Mrka holds him up against the cage and eventually Ehrmantraut drops back down to his feet.
Ehrmantraut blocking some punches.

Ehrmantraut escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mrka looks to score with a jab to the body but Ehrmantraut is just out of range.
Mrka misses with an uppercut. Ehrmantraut saw that one coming.
Mrka moves away from the strike by Ehrmantraut.
Mrka looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mrka gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ehrmantraut.
Mrka throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Jab, jab by Mrka - just one landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ehrmantraut getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Mrka tries to clinch but Ehrmantraut moves out of range.

Mrka closes the distance and clinches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mike Ehrmantraut will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mrka misses with a body shot.

Mrka drives through and clinches with Ehrmantraut against the cage.
Mrka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mrka has Ehrmantraut pressed against the cage, preventing Ehrmantraut from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mrka keeps control of Ehrmantraut as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Ehrmantraut breaks from the clinch.
Mrka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ehrmantraut fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mrka tries to clinch up but Ehrmantraut circles away and keeps his distance.
Ehrmantraut is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mrka tries to clinch up but Ehrmantraut circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice body kick there by Ehrmantraut.
Mrka might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Ehrmantraut throws a hook but Mrka blocks it.
Ehrmantraut lands a glancing blow to the side of Mrka's head.
Mrka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ehrmantraut blocks a leg kick.
A nice combination there by Ehrmantraut.
Mrka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ehrmantraut paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ehrmantraut slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mrka misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ehrmantraut counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mrka wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ehrmantraut misses with the combination.
Ehrmantraut lands with a good body shot.
Ehrmantraut displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mrka throws out the jab.
Mrka moves in looking to clinch but Ehrmantraut pushes him off.
Ehrmantraut slips a jab from Mrka.
Mrka wants to clinch.
Mrka wants to clinch.
Ehrmantraut swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mrka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mrka moves in looking to clinch but Ehrmantraut pushes him off.
Mrka tries to clinch there but Ehrmantraut circles away.
Ehrmantraut scores with a spinning back kick!
Mrka wants to clinch.

Mrka rushes Ehrmantraut and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ehrmantraut lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mrka backwards.
Mrka lands a shot to the body.
Mrka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mrka throws a head punch that misses.
Ehrmantraut blocking some punches.
Ehrmantraut can't find room to land a body shot as Mrka controls the action.
Ehrmantraut jumps guard but Mrka turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mrka lands a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mrka pressing his opponent against the cage.
Ehrmantraut tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mrka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mrka has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mrka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ehrmantraut wants to stall.
Mrka tries a body shot but Ehrmantraut blocks it.
Ehrmantraut lands a nice uppercut.
Mrka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Mrka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ehrmantraut blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ehrmantraut is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mrka to keep the fight standing.
Ivan Mrka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Ehrmantraut. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ehrmantraut is looking to break free of the clinch but Mrka has double underhooks.
Mrka working aggressively here.
Mrka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ehrmantraut backwards.
Ehrmantraut lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ehrmantraut lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Mrka.
Ehrmantraut blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ehrmantraut is trying to pull guard but Mrka turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mrka lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ehrmantraut jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mrka walks away with a smile on his face. Ehrmantraut gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ehrmantraut blocks an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mrka lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mrka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mike Ehrmantraut is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mrka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ehrmantraut blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ehrmantraut lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mrka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ehrmantraut's elbow.
Mrka misses with a punch on the inside.
Ehrmantraut tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ehrmantraut is trying to maintain a safe position but Mrka gets an underhook and turns Ehrmantraut into the cage.

Ehrmantraut breaks the clinch.
Ehrmantraut scores with a decent looking hook.
Ehrmantraut smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Mrka instigates a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ehrmantraut.
Ehrmantraut lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mrka backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Ehrmantraut showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ehrmantraut, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chris Dean scores the fight 30:28
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Ehrmantraut!
Mike Ehrmantraut decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.