PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike McLaughlin (ranked 592 p4p, 539 weight class) and Gareth Keenan (ranked 76 p4p, 71 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

McLaughlin
vs
Keenan

178 cm
35
148
25 - 9 - 2

179 cm
40
150
42 - 12 - 5

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Altitude Clothing
Core Combat

Conquer
Altitude Clothing

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 25 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike McLaughlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 42 - 12 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gareth Keenan!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McLaughlin misses with a looping right.
Keenan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Keenan defending well as McLaughlin loads up on a big left hand.
Keenan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gareth Keenan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McLaughlin misses with a hook. Keenan ducked under it nicely.
McLaughlin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Keenan throws a low kick but McLaughlin moves out of range easily.
Keenan staying out of range there.
A big left from McLaughlin misses.
McLaughlin connects with an inside leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Keenan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Keenan can pounce on him.
Keenan on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Keenan needs to keep his hands up - McLaughlin had a free shot at his head there.
McLaughlin throws a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Keenan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McLaughlin checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
McLaughlin catches Keenan with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
McLaughlin connects with a leg kick.
McLaughlin looks to land a left hand but Keenan moved out of range nicely.
Keenan is looking to chop away at McLaughlin's legs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Keenan. McLaughlin does a little dance to reset his feet.
McLaughlin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Keenan clobbers McLaughlin with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McLaughlin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Keenan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Keenan connects with an inside leg kick.
Keenan throws a body shot but no joy.
McLaughlin connects with a leg kick.
Nice body punch from McLaughlin.
Keenan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaughlin manages to avoid it.
Keenan cracks McLaughlin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Keenan works McLaughlin's body with a nice hook.
McLaughlin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Keenan throws a hook but McLaughlin avoids it easily.
McLaughlin takes one to the chin there.
McLaughlin looks to land a body kick but Keenan moved away.
Nice defenses there by Keenan.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McLaughlin lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Keenan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Keenan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
McLaughlin avoids the head kick by Keenan.
McLaughlin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Keenan moves into range and connects with a jab.
Keenan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
McLaughlin throws a right and a left that Keenan avoids nicely.
Keenan looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd cheers as McLaughlin lands an impressive looking overhand right. Keenan doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin misses with a body shot.
McLaughlin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A combination from Keenan does no damage.
McLaughlin connects with a solid leg kick.
McLaughlin staying out of range there.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
McLaughlin checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Keenan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Keenan has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Keenan throws a half hearted mid kick.
A punch lands to the side of Keenan 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A big left from McLaughlin misses.
Keenan pushes McLaughlin away with a front kick.
McLaughlin throws a nice outside leg kick.
Keenan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Keenan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McLaughlin tries to work over Keenan's front leg with a kick but Keenan checks it.
McLaughlin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McLaughlin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Keenan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McLaughlin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Keenan.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Keenan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin throws a lazy right hand but Keenan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice cross by Keenan.
Keenan misses the jab.
McLaughlin scores with a decent looking hook.
Nice straight punches there by Keenan. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Keenan.
Keenan with the inside leg kick.
Keenan throws a hook but McLaughlin avoids it easily.
Keenan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Keenan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaughlin manages to avoid it.
McLaughlin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Keenan slips under a jab.
A big right from McLaughlin misses.
As McLaughlin backs off Keenan throws a huge counter combo but McLaughlin manages to avoid it all.
McLaughlin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The fighters circling - Keenan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Keenan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McLaughlin was well out of range. Poor timing from Keenan.
Keenan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Keenan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A slow jab from McLaughlin misses its intended target.
Keenan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice body punch from McLaughlin.
Keenan misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin connects with a solid leg kick.
McLaughlin moves out of range of the body kick from Keenan.
McLaughlin needs to keep his hands up - Keenan had a free shot at his head there.
McLaughlin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Keenan cracks McLaughlin with a good jab.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the side of Keenan's head but Keenan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Keenan misses with a wild body shot.
McLaughlin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McLaughlin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Keenan. Keenan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Keenan throws a low kick, looking for McLaughlin's leg but McLaughlin calmly moves out of range.
McLaughlin throws a quick inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from McLaughlin. Keenan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Keenan counters with a body kick.
Nice shot by McLaughlin.
A solid leg kick lands there for McLaughlin.
McLaughlin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Keenan takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Keenan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McLaughlin's head.
Keenan takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Keenan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
McLaughlin fires out a quick counter leg kick but Keenan just manages to avoid it.
Keenan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mike McLaughlin will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Keenan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Keenan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McLaughlin is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
McLaughlin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Keenan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLaughlin.
Keenan throws a leg kick that misses.
Keenan finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
McLaughlin takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Keenan misses the shot to the body.
Keenan tries to land a front kick but McLaughlin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Keenan throws the kick towards the body but McLaughlin avoids it.
McLaughlin lands with a hook. Keenan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McLaughlin blocks a low kick nicely.
Keenan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Keenan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McLaughlin.
Keenan looks for the body kick but McLaughlin saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McLaughlin throws an overhand right that lands on Keenan's shoulder, as Keenan tries to avoid the shot.
McLaughlin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Keenan throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Keenan ducks under a wild hook from McLaughlin.
Keenan appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Keenan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Keenan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice inside leg kick there by Keenan. That's going to slow McLaughlin down.
Keenan throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaughlin defending well as Keenan loads up on a big left hand.
Keenan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
McLaughlin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from McLaughlin finds it's way through Keenan's defenses.
Keenan throws a body punch but McLaughlin moves out of range.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Mike McLaughlin is winning the standup battle so far.
McLaughlin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A thudding body kick lands there by McLaughlin!
McLaughlin misses with a low kick.
McLaughlin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
McLaughlin avoids the head kick by Keenan.
McLaughlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Keenan avoids the head kick by McLaughlin.
A bone on bone clash there as McLaughlin blocks the leg kick.
McLaughlin scoring well with a low kick there.
Keenan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Keenan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McLaughlin throws a solid leg kick but Keenan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McLaughlin.
Keenan is trying to counter with his kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McLaughlin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McLaughlin slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from McLaughlin. Keenan does a little dance to reset his feet.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the side of Keenan's head but Keenan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A looping hook to the body misses from Keenan. McLaughlin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McLaughlin lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Keenan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Keenan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
McLaughlin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McLaughlin throws a jab when Keenan was well out of range.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Keenan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McLaughlin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Decent striking displayed by McLaughlin there.
A clash of legs there as Keenan blocks the low kick.
Keenan connects with a single shot there.
McLaughlin looks to throw the jab but Keenan is out of range.
Keenan checks a leg kick.
McLaughlin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Keenan.
McLaughlin misses with a leg kick.
Keenan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but McLaughlin checks it well.
McLaughlin tries to score with a low kick but Keenan moves his leg out of the way.
McLaughlin staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Keenan is just out of range.
McLaughlin does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
McLaughlin tries to score with a low kick but Keenan moves his leg out of the way.
McLaughlin lands with a cross.
McLaughlin connects with a right hand. Keenan shakes it off.
A looping hook to the body misses from McLaughlin. Keenan does a little dance to reset his feet.
McLaughlin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
McLaughlin throws a body punch but Keenan moves out of range.
Keenan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It looked like McLaughlin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Keenan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaughlin manages to avoid it.
McLaughlin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Keenan unleashes a big counter combination but McLaughlin bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Keenan misses with a leg kick.
Keenan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Keenan lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A punch combination from McLaughlin misses.
It seemed like Keenan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Keenan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McLaughlin's head.
Keenan dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McLaughlin. That did some damage!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Keenan slips under a jab from McLaughlin.
Keenan is looking to land body kicks.
McLaughlin takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from McLaughlin.
Keenan lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Keenan lands a nice looking kick to the body. McLaughlin takes a step back to recover.
McLaughlin misses with a wild body shot.
McLaughlin steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Keenan. That one must have hurt.
Keenan throws a front kick aimed at McLaughlin's knee but McLaughlin avoids it well.
Keenan lands a high kick!
A slow jab from Keenan misses its intended target.
McLaughlin misses with a straight left.
McLaughlin misses with a straight right.
Keenan moves out of range as McLaughlin strikes.
Keenan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McLaughlin throws a sloppy head kick and Keenan moves out of range easily.
An inside leg kick from McLaughlin misses.
McLaughlin blocks a leg kick.
McLaughlin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Keenan throws a hook to the side of McLaughlin's head but McLaughlin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Keenan avoids the head kick by McLaughlin.
Keenan connects with a body shot that sends McLaughlin's belly button to the back.
McLaughlin walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Keenan checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Keenan throws a leg kick but McLaughlin sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gareth Keenan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! McLaughlin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McLaughlin misses with a leg kick.
Keenan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Keenan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Keenan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Keenan stalks McLaughlin and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McLaughlin's face. McLaughlin staggers backwards, shaken.
McLaughlin checks the leg kick.
Keenan steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from McLaughlin. That one must have hurt.
Keenan has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Keenan lands a nice looking kick to the body. McLaughlin takes a step back to recover.
McLaughlin throws a leg kick that misses.
Keenan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Keenan wants to slow McLaughlin down by chopping away at his legs.
Keenan cracks McLaughlin with an open hand slap.
McLaughlin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McLaughlin throws a wild body kick that Keenan sees coming a mile off.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McLaughlin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The fighters circling - Keenan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McLaughlin will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
McLaughlin misses with a straight right.
Keenan lands with a thumping leg kick.
McLaughlin misses the jab.
McLaughlin tries to work over Keenan's front leg with a kick but Keenan checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Keenan stalks McLaughlin and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McLaughlin's face. McLaughlin staggers backwards, shaken.
Keenan throws a shot from downtown. McLaughlin moves away and avoids it.
Keenan uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McLaughlin has time to react.
Keenan fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McLaughlin jabs Keenan to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McLaughlin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
McLaughlin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Keenan's head.
Keenan is looking to score with low kicks.
A jab from Keenan finds it's way through McLaughlin's defenses.
Keenan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McLaughlin.
Keenan misses the jab.
McLaughlin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Keenan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Keenans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nice shot by Keenan.
McLaughlin wants to land a leg kick but Keenan is out of range.
McLaughlin avoids a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McLaughlin throws a nice inside leg kick.
McLaughlin tries to land a leg kick but Keenan saw it coming and moves away.
McLaughlin dips to his left and cracks Keenan with an uppercut!
Keenan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McLaughlin attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
It seemed like Keenan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McLaughlin scoring well with a low kick there.
McLaughlin tried to score with a low kick but Keenan checks it.
McLaughlin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Keenan misses with a wild body shot.
McLaughlin blocks the body kick.
McLaughlin throws a looping overhand right but Keenan ducks down to avoid it.
McLaughlin moves away from the strike by Keenan.
Keenan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice shot by Keenan.
Keenan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Keenan there as he acknowledges the shot.
McLaughlin tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Keenan scores with a nice body kick.
McLaughlin does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Keenan wants to slow McLaughlin down by chopping away at his legs.
McLaughlin checks a leg kick.
Keenan throws a low kick but it's checked well by McLaughlin.
An attempted straight right counter from McLaughlin misses the target.
McLaughlin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Keenan.
Keenan on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Keenan feints and then cracks McLaughlin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McLaughlin down.
Keenan throws out a leg kick but McLaughlin moves out of range and Keenan only half commits.
McLaughlin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Keenan throws a hook but McLaughlin blocks it.
An attempted straight right counter from McLaughlin misses the target.
Good shot there by Keenan.
McLaughlin comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Keenan checks a leg kick.
Keenan tries to score with a low kick but McLaughlin moves his leg out of the way.
McLaughlin checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nice defenses there by Keenan.
Keenan throws out a counter right but McLaughlin avoids it with no problem.
Keenan misses with a hook. McLaughlin ducked under it nicely.
McLaughlin with the inside leg kick.
Keenan misses with an uppercut. McLaughlin saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
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!
Keenan pivots, looking for a leg kick but McLaughlin is out of range and Keenan settles back down.
McLaughlin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Keenan.
Keenan scoring well with a low kick there.
McLaughlin throws a chopping leg kick but Keenan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Keenan throws the kick towards the body but McLaughlin avoids it.
Keenan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Keenan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaughlin manages to avoid it.
McLaughlin throws the left hand but Keenan avoids the punch easily.
Keenan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McLaughlin throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Keenan on the side of the head.
McLaughlin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Keenan.
McLaughlin throws a low kick but Keenan moves out of range easily.
Keenan misses with a looping left.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLaughlin throws a jab when Keenan was well out of range.
Keenan takes one to the side of the head.
A big left from McLaughlin misses.
McLaughlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Keenan was well out of range. Poor timing from McLaughlin.
Keenan looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
McLaughlin loads up on a big right hand but Keenan slips the punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gareth Keenan.
I think Keenan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mike McLaughlin!
Mike McLaughlin bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
Gareth Keenan was interviewed post fight and said 'Good fight buddy'.