PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Frank Hernandez (ranked 232 p4p, 871 weight class) and Kirill Berkut (ranked 27 p4p, 77 weight class). Hernandez's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Journey - Only The Young. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hernandez
vs
Berkut

170 cm
24
147
12 - 1 - 0

160 cm
23
156
9 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Conviction
Conquer

Savage Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Frank Hernandez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kirill Berkut!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Berkut feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Berkut's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Hernandez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berkut gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hernandez looking to control.
Hernandez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berkut is one step ahead there.

Hernandez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hernandez seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Hernandez looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hernandez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Berkut working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berkut trying to control the position from guard on top but Hernandez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hernandez is looking for a triangle but Berkut pushes his legs off easily.
Berkut postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Berkut stopping the sweep attempt from Hernandez.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hernandez working for submissions but it's allowed Berkut to get to half guard.
Berkut scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Berkut content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Berkut is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Berkut working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Hernandez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez has a hand on Berkut's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Berkut takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Hernandez working to try and regain half guard.
Berkut lands a nice shot to the head.
Hernandez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Berkut controlling the pace for now.
Hernandez is looking to improve his position but Berkut isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berkut has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hernandez's face.
Berkut trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Berkut is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Berkut pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Berkut controlling the position easily from mount.
Hernandez sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Berkut working over Hernandez with some ground and pound. Hernandez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Berkut trying to control from half guard but Hernandez is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Berkut seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hernandez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hernandez wants to get back to full guard.
Berkut seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hernandez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Berkut is nestled in close to Hernandez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hernandez gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hernandez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hernandez is trying to keep Berkut in close.
Berkut is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kirill Berkut 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.

Hernandez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Berkut.
Berkut throws the left hand but Hernandez avoids the punch easily.
Berkut swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Berkut has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Berkut with a jab.
Berkut just misses with a punch to the body.
Berkut misses with a looping left.

Berkut closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berkut is looking to advance position but Hernandez won't allow it.
Berkut working the head and body with strikes.
Hernandez is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kirill Berkut has got the better of the ground game so far.

Hernandez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Hernandez looking for submissions off his back.

Hernandez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Berkut pulls his head out easily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Berkut lands a nice short elbow.
Hernandez tries to get to full guard but Berkut has control of the leg.
Berkut landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Berkut working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez works his way to full guard. Good work.

Hernandez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berkut gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Berkut sitting in guard here, content to control.
Berkut wants to pass the guard but Hernandez is keeping the position.
Hernandez wants to sweep here but Berkut controlling him for the moment.
Berkut is in close to Hernandez's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hernandez managing to control the position.

Hernandez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hernandez working for a triangle but Berkut defends it easily.
Hernandez controls Berkut momentarily but Berkut frees himself.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Berkut postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Berkut advances to half guard.
Hernandez tries to roll over but Berkut keeps him under control.

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.
Hernandez taking some punishment here, with Berkut in his half guard.

Hernandez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ground and pound from Berkut.
Berkut winds up and cracks Hernandez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Berkut wants to take a breather but Hernandez is having none of it.
Berkut slips a nice elbow through Hernandez's hands, connecting with Hernandez's forehead.
Hernandez is looking for a sweep. Berkut is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Berkut drops an elbow to the side of Hernandez's head.
Berkut has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Berkut lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hernandez is pressing down on Berkut's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Hernandez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Berkut defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kirill Berkut showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hernandez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hernandez ducks under a wild hook from Berkut.
Hernandez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Berkut lands with an uppercut that bounces Hernandez off the cage and back into range.
Berkut throws out a loose jab but Hernandez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hernandez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Berkut sprawls and moves away.
Berkut goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Berkut shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berkut digs a good hook to Hernandez's body.
Berkut looks for a takedown but Hernandez sprawls well.
Frank Hernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kirill Berkut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Berkut.
Hernandez feinted with a counter takedown.
Berkut has a takedown stuffed.
Hernandez attempts a counter takedown but Berkut avoids it well and moves away.
Berkut shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hernandez pinned against the cage. Hernandez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Berkut cracks Hernandez with a good jab.
Hernandez moves out of range as Berkut strikes.
Hernandez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Berkut.
Hernandez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Berkut sprawls and moves away.
Berkut looks to land a left hand but Hernandez moved out of range nicely.
Berkut goes for a double leg but Hernandez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hernandez continues to drive forward.
Hernandez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Berkut.
Berkut slaps away a takedown attempt from Hernandez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hernandez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hernandez wants it to stay on the feet.
Berkut closes the distance and clinches up with Hernandez, looking for a takedown. Berkut pushes Hernandez against the cage but Hernandez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hernandez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Berkut throws a combination that misses

and Hernandez counters with a nice double leg into side control. Berkut won't be happy with that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Berkut's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Berkut taking a bit of punishment here - Hernandez scoring with strikes.
Berkut prevents Hernandez from moving into mount.
Hernandez controlling the position.
Hernandez scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Berkut to see if he's OK.
Hernandez is working Berkut over with some ground and pound from side control.
Hernandez remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Berkut regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berkut wants to control but Hernandez is keeping busy.
Hernandez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hernandez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Berkut keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Berkut wants to get back to full guard.
Hernandez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Berkut's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Berkut gets full guard.
Berkut is trying to keep Hernandez in close.
Hernandez stopping the sweep attempt from Berkut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Frank Hernandez did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Berkut's corner calls for a 1-2. Berkut obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A big right from Berkut misses.
Hernandez scores with a nice right hand.
Berkut shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hernandez but Hernandez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Berkut looks to score with a jab to the body but Hernandez is just out of range.

Hernandez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berkut pulls Hernandez in close to his closed guard and prevents Hernandez from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hernandez throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hernandez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hernandez throws an elbow that misses. Berkut uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hernandez's guard. Nice move by Berkut!

Hernandez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Berkut.
Hernandez keeping full guard, as Berkut tries to pass.
Hernandez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berkut is one step ahead there.

Hernandez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Berkut doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Berkut manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez is trying to keep Berkut in close.
Berkut is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Berkut forces his way into half guard.
Berkut working the head and body with strikes.
Hernandez tries to get to full guard but Berkut has control of the leg.
Hernandez has hold of Berkut's hands but Berkut slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Berkut is looking for a kimura here.
Berkut is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez is looking to get back to full guard here but Berkut has managed to pass to side control instead.
Berkut is chipping away with strikes.
Hernandez can't do much from the bottom here.
Hernandez is trying to improve his position.
Berkut working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hernandez is trying to control Berkut's posture but Berkut avoids it.
Hernandez takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Hernandez is working to avoid the ground and pound but Berkut connects with a decent elbow.
Berkut just content to control the position.
Hernandez is not content to let Berkut control the position.
Hernandez tries to improve position but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hernandez is working hard here to advance position.

Berkut has hold of Hernandez's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Hernandez tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Berkut cranks the arm and Hernandez screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Hernandez, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Kirill Berkut!
Kirill Berkut is the new featherweight champion!
An out of breath Kirill Berkut thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.