PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Reese Rumbalo (ranked 2110 p4p, 1455 weight class) and Reuben Kennedy (ranked 302 p4p, 222 weight class). Reese Rumbalo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rumbalo
vs
Kennedy

185 cm
25
195
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
191
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Reese Rumbalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Reuben Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Michael Johnstone and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy dodges the punch combination from Rumbalo.
Kennedy throws out a powerful jab.
Kennedy throws a lazy right hand but Rumbalo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rumbalo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rumbalo lands with an uppercut that bounces Kennedy off the cage and back into range.
Rumbalo lands a lovely overhand right.
Kennedy misses the jab.
A clash of legs there as Kennedy blocks the low kick.
Rumbalo throws a sloppy head kick and Kennedy moves out of range easily.
Kennedy scores with a nice right hand.
Rumbalo closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kennedy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kennedy takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

It looks like Reuben Kennedy has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rumbalo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rumbalo throws a shot from downtown. Kennedy moves away and avoids it.
Rumbalo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kennedy.
Rumbalo seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Reese Rumbalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rumbalo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kennedy, pushing him back against the cage.
Rumbalo pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kennedy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rumbalo working aggressively here.

Rumbalo is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kennedy is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Rumbalo to the mat. Rumbalo regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Rumbalo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kennedy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rumbalo wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rumbalo working a defensive guard here.
Rumbalo has his hands on Kennedy's head, controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rumbalo controls Kennedy momentarily but Kennedy frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A cross from Kennedy lands.
Rumbalo staying out of range there.
Rumbalo lands a nice looking body shot.
Rumbalo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kennedy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rumbalo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rumbalo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rumbalo scores with the left hand. Kennedy knows he should have avoided that one.
Rumbalo blocks a jab.
Rumbalo lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Rumbalo tests Kennedy's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kennedy drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rumbalo definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rumbalo defending well as Kennedy loads up on a big left hand.

Kennedy shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Kennedy there.
Rumbalo preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Rumbalo gets full guard.
Rumbalo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kennedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Rumbalo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rumbalo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kennedy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rumbalo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kennedy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rumbalo has momentary wrist control but Kennedy slips an elbow through the middle.
Kennedy working some strikes from top position.
Rumbalo wants to sweep here but Kennedy controlling him for the moment.
Rumbalo being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rumbalo working a defensive guard here.
Kennedy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rumbalo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reese Rumbalo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Reuben Kennedy's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kennedy closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rumbalo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rumbalo trying to control but Kennedy postures up.
Kennedy lands with a punch from half guard.
Kennedy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rumbalo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rumbalo looking to control.
Kennedy working some strikes from top position.
Rumbalo has Kennedy pulled in close to control his posture.
Kennedy must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kennedy postures up in Rumbalo's guard and throws a big left but Rumbalo blocks it.
Kennedy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rumbalo is trying to keep Kennedy in close.
Kennedy connects with a couple of short punches.
Rumbalo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kennedy is controlling him.
Rumbalo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kennedy is one step ahead there.
Kennedy wants to control from the top but Rumbalo keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Rumbalo has control of Kennedy's left arm, preventing Kennedy from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rumbalo moves out of range as Kennedy strikes.
Reese Rumbalo is winning the standup battle so far.
Rumbalo connects with the punch.
Reese Rumbalo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rumbalo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rumbalo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy swings for the body but Rumbalo moves out of range.
Kennedy misses with a hook.
Rumbalo throws a sloppy body shot
and Kennedy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Rumbalo rushes Kennedy and presses him up against the cage.
Rumbalo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rumbalo lands a left hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kennedy.
Rumbalo has a couple of punches blocked by Kennedy.
Kennedy lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rumbalo backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Rumbalo manages to break the clinch.

Kennedy drives through and clinches with Rumbalo against the cage.
Rumbalo throws a punch but it's blocked by Kennedy.
Rumbalo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rumbalo working hard to break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Rumbalo fails to land.
Rumbalo misses with some punches.
Kennedy has Rumbalo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rumbalo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rumbalo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kennedy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kennedy lands a nice uppercut.
Kennedy can't find room to land a body shot as Rumbalo controls the action.
Kennedy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Rumbalo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kennedy on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rumbalo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kennedy makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Rumbalo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kennedy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rumbalo is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rumbalo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rumbalo 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.
A left and a right from Rumbalo both land. Nice combination.
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!
Rumbalo lands a head shot.
Kennedy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kennedy goes for a double leg but Rumbalo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rumbalo continues to drive forward.
Rumbalo tests Kennedy's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rumbalo scores with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy dives in and scores a takedown into Rumbalo's guard.
Kennedy trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Rumbalo manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Kennedy wants to sweep but no luck.
Rumbalo trying to control but Kennedy is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Reese Rumbalo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Reuben Kennedy's cut.
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. And we move into the final round!

Kennedy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rumbalo throws out a powerful jab.
Rumbalo throws out a leg kick but Kennedy moves out of range and Rumbalo only half commits.
Rumbalo lands a nice shot that snaps Kennedy's head back.
Rumbalo avoids the body shot from Kennedy.
Rumbalo feints and then cracks Kennedy's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kennedy down.
Rumbalo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rumbalo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Donk. Rumbalo catches Kennedy right on the button with a cross.
Rumbalo takes one to the side of the head.
Kennedy looks to land a right hand but Rumbalo moved out of range.
Rumbalo throws a big counter combination but Kennedy scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kennedy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rumbalo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kennedy misses the jab.
Kennedy has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rumbalo finds it's way round the side to connect with Kennedy's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kennedy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rumbalo appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy fails to land the takedown.
Rumbalo appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Rumbalo thumps Kennedy with a low kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rumbalo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kennedy.
Reese Rumbalo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rumbalo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kennedy backwards.
Kennedy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rumbalo swings wildly with an uppercut but Kennedy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kennedy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rumbalo has a couple of punches blocked by Kennedy.
A short uppercut from Kennedy.
Rumbalo throws a punch but it's blocked by Kennedy.
A shot in the inside from Kennedy.
Rumbalo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Reuben Kennedy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kennedy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kennedy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rumbalo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rumbalo is trying to break the clinch but Kennedy is controlling him.
Kennedy misses with a punch on the inside.
Rumbalo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kennedy can do to turn this around?
Kennedy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rumbalo lands a hook to the side of the head.

Rumbalo breaks the clinch.
Rumbalo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kennedy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rumbalo throws a sloppy head kick and Kennedy moves out of range easily.
Rumbalo fails in his attempt to clinch.

Rumbalo moves into range and clinches up with Kennedy.
A head punch on the inside from Rumbalo fails to land.
Kennedy has a couple of punches blocked by Rumbalo.

Rumbalo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kennedy has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rumbalo finds it's way round the side to connect with Kennedy's head.
Good standup being displayed there by Rumbalo as he connects with a hook.

Kennedy is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rumbalo scores with a counter punch that sends Kennedy to the canvas! Rumbalo smells blood - he's punishing Kennedy with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Kennedy has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:09 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Reese Rumbalo!
An out of breath Reese Rumbalo thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.