PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Kai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Patrick Connelly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kai's entrance music is israel kamakawiwo'ole - Hawaii '78. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kai
vs
Connelly

181 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
178 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Kai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Patrick Connelly!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kai shoots in but no luck this time.
Kai tries to clinch there but Connelly circles away.
Kai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Connelly darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Connelly seems to be working for a kimura but Kai defends the submission attempt.

Connelly decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Kai misses with a takedown attempt

and Connelly counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Connelly.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Kai. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Connelly avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kai keeping moving, preventing Connelly from controlling successfully.
Connelly really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kai. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Connelly trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kai 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connelly throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kai wants to get back to his feet but Connelly passes into half guard.

Connelly is looking for a kimura but Kai is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Connelly to get the leverage.

Kai looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kai misses with a takedown attempt

and Connelly counters with a shoot takedown. Kai fights it but they end up in guard.
Kai is breathing heavily.

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

Connelly stands and steps away. Kai gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kai with a poor takedown

and Connelly counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kai won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kai taking punishment in the form of punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kai is looking for a sweep.
Connelly working the ground and pound from side control.
Kai gets back to half guard.

Kai actively working from the bottom here.
Connelly prevents Kai from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kai moves into full guard.
Kai wants to sweep but no luck.

Kai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kai is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Connelly tries to free his leg and advance position but Kai is retaining full guard.

Kai looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Connelly slips nicely into half guard.

Kai is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Connelly pulls his head out easily.
Kai slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kai has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Connelly should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Kai has tightened it up now! Connelly should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Matt Kai!