PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maynard Keenan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zander Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Keenan
vs
Cage

187 cm
18
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 Los Angeles, Maynard Keenan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zander Cage!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cage shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Keenan defends it nicely.
Cage needs to keep his hands up - Keenan had a free shot at his head there.

Keenan clinches up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Keenan.
Keenan lands a body punch.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Keenan instigates a clinch.
Cage takes a shot to the head.

Keenan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Keenan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cage momentarily.

Keenan clinches up against the cage.
Keenan scores with a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Keenan works on Cage's body with a couple of short punches.
Cage looks gassed!
Keenan lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Keenan has managed to clinch.
Keenan gets through Cage's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

It looks like Zander Cage has been cut.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Keenan has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nice body punch from Keenan - that landed with a thud.
Good body shot from Keenan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Keenan.
Keenan lands with a short shot to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Keenan.
Keenan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Keenan lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cage or not.

Keenan breaks the clinch.

Keenan moves into range and clinches up with Cage.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Keenan closes the distance and pushes Cage back into the cage.

Keenan breaks from the clinch.
Cage shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Keenan defends it nicely.
Keenan fails in his attempt to clinch.

Keenan has closed the distance and engaged Cage in a clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Keenan.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Keenan drives through and clinches with Cage against the cage.
A hook to the body from Keenan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan is leaning against Cage and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
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 escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Keenan has taken the fight to the clinch.
Keenan digs a right hand underneath Cage's ribcage. Cage let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Keenan breaks from the clinch.

Keenan takes the fight into the clinch.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cage shoots in for a takedown but Keenan shows good takedown defense.
Maynard Keenan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zander Cage.

Keenan has managed to clinch.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Keenan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Keenan fails with an attempt to clinch.

Keenan fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cage, pushing him back against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Keenan.

Keenan breaks from the clinch.
Keenan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Keenan lands a lovely overhand right.

Keenan pushes Cage up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan lands with a left to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Keenan.
A right hand to the body from Keenan.
A hook to the body from Keenan.
Keenan cracks Cage with a nice body shot.

Keenan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Keenan drives through and clinches with Cage against the cage.

Keenan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Keenan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cage paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Keenan moves in looking to clinch but Cage pushes him off.
Keenan leaves Cage with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Keenan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Keenan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Keenan moves into the clinch successfully.
Keenan scores with a hook to the body.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Keenan drives through and clinches with Cage against the cage.

Keenan breaks from the clinch.
Keenan wants to clinch up but Cage keeps it at a distance.

Keenan gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Keenan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cage shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Keenan as he jumps to the side.
Keenan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cage.
Keenan lands with a hook. Cage tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Keenan rushes Cage and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Keenan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Keenan is leaning against Cage and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Keenan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Keenan fails with an attempt to clinch.

Keenan pushes Cage up against the cage in a clinch.
A right hand to the body from Keenan.
Keenan works on Cage's body with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maynard Keenan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zander Cage's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Keenan instigates a clinch.

Keenan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cage swats away the attempt to clinch by Keenan.
Maynard Keenan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Keenan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cage swats away the attempt to clinch by Keenan.
Cage tries to score a power double leg takedown but Keenan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cage somewhat.
Cage keeps the fight on the outside.
Keenan tries to close the distance and clinch but Cage swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Keenan has managed to clinch.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cage changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Keenan tries to avoid it but Cage manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Keenan to the ground. Keenan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Keenan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Maynard Keenan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zander Cage.
Keenan tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cage tries to keep at a distance but Keenan has taken the fight into the clinch.

Keenan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Keenan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A hook to the body from Keenan.
Keenan lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Keenan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Keenan gets a clinch.
Keenan stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Keenan.
A short left from Keenan.
Keenan lands a body shot.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Keenan slaps away a takedown attempt from Cage, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Keenan fails with an attempt to clinch.

Keenan rushes Cage and presses him up against the cage.

Keenan breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cage gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cage goes for a takedown in the clinch but Keenan prevents it.
Keenan lands a body punch in the clinch.
Keenan lands a shot to the body.
Keenan digs a right hand into Cage's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cage's gas tank.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Keenan breaks from the clinch.
Keenan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Keenan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Keenan tries to clinch but Cage is having none of it.
Keenan tries to close the distance and clinch but Cage swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Keenan wants to clinch up but Cage keeps it at a distance.
Keenan is looking to clinch.
Cage looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Keenan is fending him off so far but Cage persists. Nope, Keenan circles away and we're back to standing.
Keenan tries to close the distance and clinch but Cage swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Keenan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cage can do to turn this around?
Keenan doesn't manage to clinch there - Cage circles away.

Keenan forces Cage back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Keenan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Keenan instigates a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Keenan.
A right hand to the body from Keenan.

Keenan breaks from the clinch.
Keenan stuffs the takedown.
Cage shoots in but Keenan avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Keenan has closed the distance and engaged Cage in a clinch.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cage shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Keenan as he jumps to the side.

Keenan darts in and clinches Cage up against the cage.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice cross by Keenan.

Keenan closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Keenan.

Keenan breaks the clinch.
Keenan tries to close the distance and clinch but Cage swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Keenan tries to clinch up but Cage circles away and keeps his distance.
Cage fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cage swats away the attempt to clinch by Keenan.

Keenan has taken the fight to the clinch.
Keenan gets through Cage's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Keenan breaks the clinch.
Cage fails with the takedown.
Zander Cage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Keenan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cage stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Keenan tries to clinch up.

Keenan moves into range and clinches up with Cage.
Keenan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Keenan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maynard Keenan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Zander Cage's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Keenan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Keenan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Keenan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cage is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Maynard Keenan has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Keenan prevents the takedown attempt.
Keenan lands a body shot in the clinch.

Keenan breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Keenan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Keenan clinches up against the cage.
Keenan stalling the fight.

Keenan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Keenan clinches.
Keenan scores with a hook to the body.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Keenan moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Keenan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Maynard Keenan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zander Cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Keenan.

Keenan breaks the clinch.
Keenan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Keenan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Keenan works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Keenan clinches up against the cage.

Keenan breaks the clinch.
Cage throws a right and a left that Keenan avoids nicely.
Keenan tries to clinch but Cage moves out of range.
Keenan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cage misses with the combination.
Keenan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Keenan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cage paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Keenan tries to clinch but Cage is having none of it.
Keenan tries to clinch but Cage moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cage.
Keenan is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Keenan tries to clinch but Cage moves out of range.
Cage shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Keenan sprawls well. Keenan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cage gets slowly back to his feet.
Keenan wants to clinch.
Keenan wants to clinch up but Cage keeps it at a distance.

Keenan closes the distance and pushes Cage back into the cage.
Keenan presses Cage against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Keenan closes the distance looking to clinch

and Cage counters with a nice double leg into side control. Keenan won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An elbow from Cage crashes against the mat.
Cage throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan wants to control but Cage postures up.
Cage scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Keenan to see if he's OK.
Keenan can't do much from the bottom here.
Keenan is looking to regain half guard here but Cage keeps moving and retains side control.
Cage misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Keenan avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Cage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cage is trying hard to land a takedown here. Keenan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Keenan clinches with his opponent.
Keenan digs a right hand underneath Cage's ribcage. Cage let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Keenan lands with a right to the head.
Keenan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cages head.

Keenan manages to break the clinch.
Keenan clinches but Cage breaks the clinch

and Cage counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Keenan's guard now.
Keenan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage postures up in Keenan's guard and throws a big left but Keenan blocks it.
Keenan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cage is controlling him.
Cage postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cage working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Keenan's head.
Maynard Keenan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cage scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cage postures up in Keenan's guard and throws a big left but Keenan blocks it.
Cage thows a big elbow that misses.
Cage is looking to work some ground and pound but Keenan has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Keenan clinches up with Cage and pushes him back against the cage.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cage fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Keenan tries to clinch but Cage moves out of range.
Keenan scores with a shot to the body.
Zander Cage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Keenan stuffs the takedown attempt from Cage. Cage gets slowly back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maynard Keenan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Keenan, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:26
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maynard Keenan!