PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jack Kerns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ian Topps (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kerns comes to the cage accompanied by Johnny Cash - Hurt. Jack Kerns could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ian Topps's chin.

Kerns
vs
Topps

187 cm
25
197 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

187 cm
21
194 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

BioPharm Nutrition

Hell's Kitchen Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Kerns!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ian Topps!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Reed Andrews and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good exchange - Topps coming out on top.
Topps throws a jab but it's blocked by Kerns.
Topps works the jab nicely.
Topps tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kerns was well out of range. Poor timing from Topps.
Topps throws out a loose jab but Kerns uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kerns avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Topps as he connects with a hook.

Kerns gets a clinch.
Nice body punch from Kerns.
Kerns working aggressively here.
Kerns scores with a hook to the body.
Topps changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kerns fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kerns throws a nice outside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Topps scores a takedown into full mount!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Kerns sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Topps tries to pass to full mount but Kerns defends it.

Kerns actively working from the bottom here.
Topps tries to pass to full mount but Kerns defends it.

Topps is looking for a kimura but Kerns is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Topps to get the leverage.
Kerns misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Topps wants to work for an arm triangle but Kerns is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Topps looks gassed!

Topps is trying to work for a kimura but Kerns is defending well.
Kerns tries to get to full guard but Topps has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kerns ducks under a wild hook from Topps.
Kerns throws a leg kick that misses.
Kerns throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Topps's head.
Topps moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Good work by Topps as he checks the leg kick.
Topps is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kerns tries to clinch up but Topps circles away and keeps his distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Topps. Kerns does a little dance to reset his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Kerns.
A low kick from Topps is predictable there

and Kerns holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kerns throws an elbow but misses.
Kerns lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Ian Topps has been cut.
Topps is trying to drag Kerns to the mat but Kerns just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerns scores with a knee to the head.
Kerns pushes Topps back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Kerns is fighting off a takedown attempt but Topps is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kerns to the mat. Kerns regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Kerns looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kerns working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Topps is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kerns is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kerns has escaped and now he's on top!
Kerns prevents Topps from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerns slips nicely into half guard.
Kerns trying to control from half guard but Topps is working away.
Kerns is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kerns wants to control the pace but Topps is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Kerns dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ian Topps's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kerns motions for Topps to come forward. Kerns throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Topps throws a leg kick but Kerns checks it.
Topps keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kerns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Topps.

Topps feints and as Kerns raises his hands in defense, Topps changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Topps pushes down on Kerns's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kerns works his way to full guard. Good work.
Topps trying to control the position from guard on top but Kerns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kerns manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kerns thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerns scoring with strikes but Topps is staying in there.
Topps blocking the ground and pound.
Kerns looking to control but Topps is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Topps wants to get back to his feet.
Kerns looking to finish with strikes here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kerns working for a submission but Topps is keeping him at bay.
Topps avoids a series of strikes thrown by Kerns.
Kerns thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Kerns unloads with some shots from mount but Topps bucks and avoids them well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerns tries to control but Topps wriggling away.
Topps is trying to escape the mount.
Topps wants to try and get back to his feet.
Kerns can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Topps is looking to escape.
Poor strikes thrown by Kerns there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kerns thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Topps can't escape the position.
Poor strikes thrown by Kerns there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Topps is squirming around, avoiding Kerns's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jack Kerns will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ian Topps's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kerns throws a body kick that misses.
Topps looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Topps pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Topps throws a big shot that misses.
Topps throws a wild body kick that Kerns sees coming a mile off.
Kerns misses with a body punch
and Topps counters with a nice uppercut.
A jab from Topps misses.
A low kick from Topps misses
and Kerns counters with a thumping low kick.
Topps lands with an overhand left.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kerns, right into the meat.
Kerns fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kerns staying out of range there.
Topps just misses with a punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Topps.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerns throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jack Kerns is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kerns takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Horrible takedown by Topps or perhaps it was just good defense by Kerns which made him look bad.

Kerns gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kerns tries a body shot but Topps blocks it.
Kerns lands a shot to the body.
Topps goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kerns prevents it.
Topps takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Topps goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kerns prevents it.
Jack Kerns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ian Topps.
Kerns tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Topps's elbow.
Kerns lands a nice knee to the body.
Kerns gets through Topps's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Topps avoiding damage as Kerns throws knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Kerns.
Kerns with a knee to the head.
Kerns missing with knees to the body.
Kerns using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Topps has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kerns.
A knee to the head by Kerns.
Kerns makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kerns prevents the takedown attempt.
A hook to the body from Kerns.
Kerns trying to land knees to the body.
Topps blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Kerns.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerns presses Topps against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kerns with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kerns.
Kerns throws a punch but it's blocked by Topps.
Kerns with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Topps goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kerns prevents it.
Topps tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kerns lands a hook to the side of the head.
Topps is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kerns pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kerns cracks Topps with a nice body shot.
Kerns scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerns pushes Topps back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Kerns scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kerns tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kerns misses with a punch to the body.
Kerns lands a right hand.
Kerns swings wildly with an uppercut but Topps uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Kerns.
Kerns is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Topps is defending well for now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Topps.

Topps gets control of Kerns's arms and successfully pulls guard. Topps will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Topps looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Kerns clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Ian Topps's cut.
That's time! Kerns's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kerns lands a lovely overhand right.

Topps drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Topps trying to control the position from guard on top but Kerns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kerns is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kerns 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.

Topps drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kerns dives on top into guard.
Kerns stopping the sweep attempt from Topps.
Topps is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Topps is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerns loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kerns wants to pass the guard but Topps is keeping the position.

That's two 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.
Topps preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kerns trying to control but Topps is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Topps swinging wilding here.
Topps walks into a straight right hand from Kerns.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Topps is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Topps looks for the body kick but Kerns saw that one coming.
Topps takes a swing at Kerns's ribcage but misses.
Topps pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Topps throws out a loose jab but Kerns uses good head movement to avoid it.
Topps misses with an uppercut. Kerns saw that one coming.
Topps misses with a body punch
and Kerns counters with a nice uppercut.
Kerns displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Topps throws out the jab.
Kerns walks into a jab.
Some wild striking there from Kerns.
Topps takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Topps throws a looping overhand right but Kerns ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Topps throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kerns.
Topps blocks the body kick.
Topps paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Topps listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kerns takes a jab right on the kisser.
Topps keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kerns.
Kerns takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kerns misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kerns takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kerns throws a leg kick but Topps sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kerns tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Topps paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kerns takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kerns throws a leg kick but Topps moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Kerns had his way with Ian Topps in that round.
The cut man is working on Ian Topps's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Topps chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kerns can pounce on him.
Topps looks to land a right hand but Kerns moved out of range.
Topps misses with a body kick.
Topps misses with a leg kick.
Topps misses with a leg kick
and Topps takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Topps throws the left hand but Kerns avoids the punch easily.
Topps lands a jab to the head.
Topps looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kerns steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Topps.
Kerns throws a series of punches but Topps moves out of range.
Topps connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kerns. Kerns circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kerns on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Topps blocks a jab.
Topps uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kerns.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerns throws a sloppy body shot
and Topps counters with a straight right hand.
Topps misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kerns.
Topps lands a nice hook to Kerns's body. Kerns takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Topps 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.
Topps misses with a series of wild punches.
Topps swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kerns counters with a body kick that stops Topps in his tracks momentarily.
Topps is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kerns connects with a high kick.
Topps throws a lazy right hand but Kerns sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Topps walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Topps is rocked!
Topps throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Topps is still on wobbly legs! Can Kerns finish him?
Topps misses with a looping left.
Kerns avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Topps moves out of range of the body kick.
Topps seems to have recovered his senses.
Kerns lands a big head kick that sends Topps to the canvas! Kerns follows up with strikes from the mount that forces the ref to step in and stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:04 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jack Kerns!
Jack Kerns retains his middleweight title!