PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Fiyero Lermontov (ranked 669 p4p, 622 weight class) and Braynas Hlervu (ranked 96 p4p, 86 weight class). Braynas Hlervu has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Fiyero Lermontov's chin.

Lermontov
vs
Hlervu

180 cm
37
159
33 - 25 - 1

168 cm
34
158
17 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Pound Town INC

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

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 33 - 25 - 1, fighting out of New York, Fiyero Lermontov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Braynas Hlervu!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lermontov throws a right hand that misses
and Hlervu counters with a left to the body.
Hlervu lands a jab to the head.

Lermontov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lermontov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hlervu walks away with a smile on his face. Lermontov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lermontov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hlervu in his tracks.
Hlervu throws a shot to the body.
Hlervu throws a jab when Lermontov was well out of range.
A big right from Hlervu misses.
Hlervu looks to land a left hand but Lermontov moved out of range nicely.
Hlervu dodges the punch combination from Lermontov.
Lermontov tries to clinch but Hlervu moves out of range.
Lermontov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hlervu walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Fiyero Lermontov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hlervu throws an overhand right that lands on Lermontov's shoulder, as Lermontov tries to avoid the shot.
Lermontov tries to clinch up.
Hlervu takes one to the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Hlervu misses the target.
Lermontov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hlervu throws a lazy uppercut
and Lermontov counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlervu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lermontov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hlervu looks to throw the jab but Lermontov is out of range.
Hlervu tries to move into range but Lermontov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hlervu takes a swing at Lermontov's ribcage but misses.
Lermontov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A cross from Lermontov lands.
Lermontov wants to clinch up but Hlervu keeps it at a distance.
Lermontov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hlervu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lermontov defending well as Hlervu loads up on a big left hand.
Hlervu fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hlervu scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nice cross by Lermontov.
Hlervu ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lermontov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hlervu misses with a looping right.
Hlervu misses the shot to the body.
Lermontov throws a poor cross that misses
and Hlervu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu swings widly with a right hand
and Lermontov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lermontov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hlervu sizes up Lermontov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Decent striking displayed by Hlervu there.
Lermontov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hlervu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lermontov misses with a series of wild punches.
Hlervu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lermontov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hlervu loads up on a big right hand but Lermontov slips the punch.
Lermontov lands with a hook. Hlervu tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lermontov tries to clinch up.
Hlervu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Hlervu gets tackled into the cage by Lermontov. Lermontov maintains the clinch.
Hlervu works on Lermontov's body with a couple of short punches.
Lermontov fails to pull guard.
Hlervu swings wildly with an uppercut but Lermontov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lermontov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Lermontov tries a body shot but Hlervu blocks it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hlervu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu tries a body shot but Lermontov blocks it.
Hlervu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lermontov is trying to pull guard but Hlervu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fiyero Lermontov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lermontov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hlervu to keep the fight standing.
Lermontov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hlervu walks away with a smile on his face. Lermontov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hlervu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hlervu looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Lermontov clinches.

Lermontov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Lermontov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Lermontov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hlervu is one step ahead there.

Hlervu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lermontov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hlervu has managed to get both his arms back between Lermontov's legs - danger averted.
Hlervu advances to half guard.
Hlervu wants to pass to mount but Lermontov is defending the position.
Hlervu with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Lermontov wants to get back to full guard.
Hlervu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lermontov keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov is trying to get back to full guard.
Hlervu trying to control from half guard but Lermontov is working away.
Lermontov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hlervu's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hlervu's back!
Lermontov doesn't have the hooks in and Hlervu manages to turn into his guard.
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!

Lermontov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hlervu is aware though and is defending well.
Hlervu trying to control but Lermontov is working from the bottom.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Lermontov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hlervu defends well.
Hlervu wants to control from the top but Lermontov keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lermontov looking for a guillotine here but Hlervu defends easily.
Lermontov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Hlervu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lermontov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hlervu has managed to get both his arms back between Lermontov's legs - danger averted.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Braynas Hlervu will probably get the nod.
That's time! Lermontov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lermontov defending well as Hlervu loads up on a big left hand.
Lermontov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hlervu counters with a straight right hand.
Lermontov throws a right and a left that both miss.
A jab lands there for Hlervu.
Hlervu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lermontov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lermontov slips under a jab from Hlervu.
A decent looking cross lands there for Lermontov.
Hlervu takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Braynas Hlervu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lermontov throws the left hand but Hlervu avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Lermontov misses its intended target.
A little jabbing left from Hlervu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lermontov tries to clinch up.
Hlervu misses with a looping left.
Lermontov throws a big shot that misses.
Lermontov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hlervu has time to react.
Lermontov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lermontov tries to clinch but Hlervu moves away
and Hlervu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lermontov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hlervu slips under a jab from Lermontov.
Lermontov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lermontov moves out of range of the strikes.
Hlervu swings for the body but Lermontov moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Lermontov jumps into guard, dragging Hlervu to the mat.
Hlervu looking to pass the guard.
Hlervu wants to control from the top but Lermontov keeps moving.
Hlervu stands and throws Lermontov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Lermontov is trying to escape the position but Hlervu is controlling the position.
Hlervu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lermontov keeps working.
Hlervu is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Lermontov's shoulder. That is not cool.
Lermontov tries to bench press Hlervu off him but Hlervu keeps the position.
Fiyero Lermontov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu trying to control the position but Lermontov is working away.
Lermontov is trying to control Hlervu's posture but Hlervu avoids it.
Hlervu trying to control the position but Lermontov is working away.
You can see the frustration on Lermontov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hlervu tries to advance to mount but can't.
Hlervu is looking to take a break and control but Lermontov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov tries to buck Hlervu off but Hlervu is having none of it.
Lermontov sneaks back into half guard.
Hlervu perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Lermontov tries to get to full guard but Hlervu has control of the leg.
Hlervu trying to control from half guard but Lermontov is working away.

Lermontov actively working from the bottom here.
Hlervu works his foot free and advances to mount.
Lermontov is working to get back to half guard.
Hlervu controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lermontov is looking to escape.
Lermontov working to try and regain half guard.
Lermontov is working hard here to advance position.
Lermontov tries to lock up and control but Hlervu gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lermontov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hlervu not doing much here.
Hlervu is trying to control. Lermontov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Lermontov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Braynas Hlervu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Lermontov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hlervu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lermontov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Hlervu throws a jab when Lermontov was well out of range.
Hlervu swats away the attempt to clinch by Lermontov.
Lermontov tries to clinch up.
Hlervu throws out a counter right but Lermontov avoids it with no problem.
Hlervu blocks a head kick by Lermontov.
Lermontov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A little jabbing left from Hlervu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lermontov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hlervu.
Lermontov tries to clinch up but Hlervu circles away and keeps his distance.
Hlervu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lermontov is looking to clinch but Hlervu is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hlervu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lermontov.
Hlervu takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Some bone on bone action there as Hlervu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hlervu swats away the attempt to clinch by Lermontov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lermontov tried to score with a low kick but Hlervu checks it.
A slow jab from Lermontov misses its intended target.
Hlervu let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Lermontov moves away from the strike by Hlervu.
Lermontov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hlervu smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Lermontov keeps Hlervu at a distance using the push kick.
Lermontov tries to clinch up.
Hlervu throws an off balance right hand
and Lermontov counters with a left and a right that stings Hlervu.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lermontov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Donk. Lermontov catches Hlervu right on the button with a cross.

Lermontov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hlervu blocks an uppercut.
Hlervu tries to throw a body punch but Lermontov avoids it by throwing Hlervu back against the cage.
Hlervu working aggressively here.
Lermontov fails to pull guard.
Lermontov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hlervu to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fiyero Lermontov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hlervu lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Lermontov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
Hlervu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hlervu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hlervu can't find room to land a body shot as Lermontov controls the action.
Hlervu lands a left hand.
Lermontov tries to pull guard but Hlervu forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Lermontov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Lermontov keeping full guard, as Hlervu tries to pass.
Hlervu stays in close to Lermontov's body and controls the position.
Hlervu forces his way into half guard.
Hlervu keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Lermontov is looking for a sweep. Hlervu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hlervu is looking to advance position but Lermontov won't allow it.
Hlervu wants to take a breather but Lermontov is having none of it.
Hlervu sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov moves into full guard.
Hlervu controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hlervu's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Hlervu tries to free his leg and advance position but Lermontov is retaining full guard.
Hlervu wants to control from the top but Lermontov keeps moving.
Hlervu sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Lermontov working a defensive guard here.
Fiyero Lermontov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Lermontov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lermontov keeping full guard, as Hlervu tries to pass.
Hlervu advances position into side control!
Lermontov trying to remain calm as Hlervu controls from the top position.
Lermontov stops Hlervu from passing to mount.
Lermontov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hlervu is trying to control the action in half guard but Lermontov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Lermontov is looking to improve his position.

Lermontov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hlervu passes to full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Braynas Hlervu.
Well Hlervu has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Braynas Hlervu!
Braynas Hlervu thanked the fans post fight for their support.