PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kirk Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vance Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hall comes to the cage accompanied by "On My Way to the Cage" by Rollins Band. Kennedy comes into a darkened arena with his song building. H-U-S-T-L-E by Murs kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Hall
vs
Kennedy

182 cm
22
183 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

173 cm
21
173 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

5th Round

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kirk Hall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vance Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jorge Garcia and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy shoots in looking for a takedown. Hall tries to sprawl out of it but Kennedy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hall manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hall throws a low kick but Kennedy avoids it.
Hall throws a hook to the side of Kennedy's head but Kennedy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kennedy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hall tries to avoid it but Kennedy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hall to the ground. Hall escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hall misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kennedy shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Kennedy was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kennedy with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kennedy throwing strikes here but Hall is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Hall is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hall is desperately trying to improve his position but Kennedy has a good base and remains in mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kennedy is going olschool here, as he tries to force Hall to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Hall shrugs it off.
Hall on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hall tries to get out of the position.
Kennedy controlling the pace for now.
Hall tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hall tries to hold on but Kennedy pushes him away.
Kennedy lands a big elbow.
Kennedy sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Hall is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kennedy takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kennedy lands with some strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Kennedy.
Kennedy trying to control but Hall is having none of it.
Kennedy takes Hall's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Hall is in trouble.
Hall is really stuck here.

Kennedy is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Hall has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Kennedy working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Kennedy looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy avoiding Hall 's attempts to control his hands.

Kennedy tightening his grip on Hall, looking for the choke.
Hall has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Kennedy.
Hall biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.
Hall looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

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.
Kennedy throwing sloppy strikes.
Hall just trying to survive but Kennedy is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Hall rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Kennedy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hall is looking to improve his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kennedy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hall circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vance Kennedy dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kennedy takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

It looks like Vance Kennedy has been cut.

Kennedy looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hall managing to control the position.
Hall tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kennedy pushes down on Hall's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kennedy trying to control the action but Hall is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy trying to pass the guard but Hall defending well.
Hall holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Hall is trying to get back to full guard.
Kennedy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kennedy trying to control the action but Hall is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kennedy slips a straight right by Hall.
Hall throws and low kick but Kennedy moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hall takes a swing at Kennedy's ribcage but misses.
Kennedy fails to land the takedown.
Kirk Hall is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hall takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hall is looking to slow Kennedy down with leg kicks.
Kennedy is breathing heavily.
Hall throws a series of punches but Kennedy avoids them all with ease.
Kennedy is looking to clinch but Hall is avoiding it.
Hall scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kennedy doesn't seem bothered though.
Hall listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kennedy stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hall.
Kennedy takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hall tests Kennedy's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hall throws a low kick but Kennedy avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Hall coming out on top.
Kirk Hall is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice uppercut there from Hall.
Hall lands a jab to Kennedy's midsection.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hall.
Vance Kennedy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kennedy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hall's waist but Hall gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kennedy off to one side.
Hall lands with a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kennedy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Vance Kennedy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hall throws a solid leg kick but Kennedy takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hall.
Kennedy shoots in looking for a takedown. Hall tries to sprawl out of it but Kennedy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hall manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kirk Hall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vance Kennedy.
Hall misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hall.
Kennedy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hall connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kennedy. Kennedy circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hall lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hall cracks Kennedy with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hall feints and then cracks Kennedy's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kennedy down.
Hall throws a sloppy body shot
and Kennedy counters with a series of strikes. Hall will be more careful next time no doubt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hall, as that shot connected.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hall throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kennedy.
Kennedy fails with a takedown attempt.
Hall throws a right and a left that Kennedy avoids nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kirk Hall dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vance Kennedy's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hall keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hall connects with the punch.
Hall throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hall takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kennedy throws a combination. Hall tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Kennedy drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hall wants to sweep but no luck.
Kennedy wants to control from the top but Hall keeps moving.
Hall keeping full guard, as Kennedy tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hall wants to sweep here but Kennedy controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy trying to control but Hall is working from the bottom.
Kennedy throwing strikes but missing.
Hall keeping moving, preventing Kennedy from controlling successfully.
Hall keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kennedy looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A slow jab from Hall misses its intended target.
Kennedy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A low kick from Hall is predictable there
enabling Kennedy to counter with a crisp jab.
Hall stuffs the takedown.
Hall misses the shot to the body.
Kennedy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hall slips under a jab.
Hall scores with the left hand. Kennedy knows he should have avoided that one.
Hall with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A big left from Hall misses.
Hall misses with a series of wild punches.
Hall misses with a low kick as Kennedy jumps back.
Kennedy goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kennedy.
Kirk Hall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vance Kennedy.
Hall finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hall throws a nice looking combination but Kennedy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hall stuffs the takedown.
Hall misses with a low kick.
Kennedy shoots in looking for a takedown. Hall tries to sprawl out of it but Kennedy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hall manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hall scores with a jab to the head.

Kennedy gets a takedown into half guard.
Hall is looking for a sweep. Kennedy is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hall manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kennedy thows a big elbow that misses.
Kennedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Hall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kennedy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hall looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kennedy throws and elbow that misses. Hall uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kennedy's guard. Nice move by Hall!
Kennedy can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hall controls the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kirk Hall showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hall has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kirk Hall!