PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maxton Hefferman (ranked 4253 p4p, 3899 weight class) and Balagachi Menggetu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Hefferman
vs
Menggetu

225 cm
25
180
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
170
1 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Maxton Hefferman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Balagachi Menggetu!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menggetu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Menggetu fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hefferman, pushing him back against the cage.
Hefferman really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hefferman wants to break free but Menggetu has control.

Menggetu turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Menggetu manages to end up in side control.
My spies in Cozad MMA Montreal inform me that Menggetu has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Menggetu working away.

Menggetu stands up.

Menggetu forces Hefferman back against the cage and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hefferman tries for a takedown but Menggetu manages to get underhooks.
Hefferman wants to break free but Menggetu has control.

Hefferman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hefferman fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menggetu stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Menggetu wants it to stay on the feet.
Despite the aggression on Menggetu's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxton Hefferman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hefferman sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Menggetu throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hefferman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Menggetu sprawls well. Menggetu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hefferman gets slowly back to his feet.
Menggetu is looking to clinch but Hefferman is avoiding it.
Hefferman shoots in for a double leg but Menggetu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Hefferman gets a clinch.

Menggetu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Menggetu tries a head kick but it misses.

Menggetu shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hefferman napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hefferman can't do much from the bottom here.
Menggetu trying to control the action but Hefferman is working from the bottom.
Menggetu tries to move into full mount but can't pass Hefferman's legs.
Hefferman is not content to let Menggetu control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hefferman is trying to control Menggetu's posture but Menggetu avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hefferman tries to improve position but can't.
Hefferman is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Menggetu off and has taken his back!

Hefferman working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Hefferman is not going to allow Menggetu to sit and survive in this position.
Menggetu is keeping busy.
Hefferman controlling the position well here. Menggetu rolled but Hefferman kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menggetu tries to escape but Hefferman has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Menggetu prevents Hefferman from getting a body triangle.
You can see the frustration on Menggetu's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hefferman looking for the RNC.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
I would not like to be Menggetu right now.
Hefferman missing with strikes from the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Balagachi Menggetu will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hefferman tries to keep at a distance but Menggetu has taken the fight into the clinch.
Menggetu is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hefferman is defending well.
Menggetu throws a knee to the head but misses.
Menggetu will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hefferman up against the cage.
Hefferman is trying to force a seperation but Menggetu has the dominant position.
Hefferman tries to pull guard but Menggetu forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Menggetu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hefferman is defending well for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hefferman lands with a right to the head.

Menggetu is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Hefferman can't fight it off and eventually Menggetu manages to take the fight to the floor. Hefferman looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hefferman wants to get back to his feet but Menggetu passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Menggetu tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Hefferman flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Hefferman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Menggetu is working away from the top position though.
Hefferman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Menggetu slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hefferman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Menggetu pulls his head out easily.
Menggetu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hefferman is looking to improve his position.
Menggetu is keen to just control but Hefferman is a slippery customer.
Menggetu seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Hefferman controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hefferman tries to get to full guard but Menggetu has control of the leg.
Menggetu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Menggetu perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Balagachi Menggetu has got the better of the ground game so far.

Hefferman actively working from the bottom here.
Hefferman trying to control but Menggetu postures up.

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.
Menggetu tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Hefferman.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Menggetu clinches.
Menggetu misses with a punch on the inside.
Hefferman is trying to stall.
Hefferman is trying to pull guard but Menggetu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Menggetu misses with the head strike.

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

Hefferman clinches with his opponent.
Hefferman tries to pull guard but Menggetu holds him up against the cage and eventually Hefferman drops back down to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Balagachi Menggetu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Hefferman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Menggetu avoids it really well and circles away.
Hefferman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hefferman blocks a head kick by Menggetu.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Menggetu pulls guard effortlessly.
Hefferman stopping the sweep attempt from Menggetu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Menggetu looking for a guillotine here but Hefferman defends easily.
Hefferman slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hefferman stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Hefferman rushes Menggetu and presses him up against the cage.

Menggetu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Menggetu stuffs the takedown attempt from Hefferman. Hefferman gets slowly back to his feet.
Menggetu feints the counter takedown.
Hefferman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Menggetu circles away quickly and effectively.

Menggetu closes the distance and pushes Hefferman back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hefferman prevents a takedown attempt there.
Balagachi Menggetu seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hefferman doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Menggetu has Hefferman pressed against the cage, preventing Hefferman from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hefferman is trying to drag Menggetu to the mat but Menggetu just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxton Hefferman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hefferman trying to land knees to the body.

Menggetu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Menggetu looks for the body kick but Hefferman saw that one coming.

Hefferman moves into range and clinches up with Menggetu.

Menggetu breaks the clinch.
Maxton Hefferman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Menggetu misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Menggetu. Those never looked like landing.
Hefferman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Menggetu defends it nicely.

Hefferman moves into the clinch.

Menggetu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hefferman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Menggetu pinned against the cage. Menggetu gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Menggetu. No joy for Hefferman on that attempt.
Menggetu tries to counter with a clinch but Hefferman shakes him off and moves away.
Menggetu fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Menggetu closes the distance and clinches.
Menggetu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hefferman has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Menggetu after a bit of a struggle.
Hefferman lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hefferman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Menggetu jumps into guard, dragging Hefferman to the mat.
Maxton Hefferman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Balagachi Menggetu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Menggetu is trying to control the position but Hefferman postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Balagachi Menggetu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Menggetu 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Balagachi Menggetu!
In his post fight interview, Balagachi Menggetu started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.