PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ikaika Kalani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kalani comes into a darkened arena with his song building. E ala E kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Howlett
vs
Kalani

176 cm
24
168 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

O'Brannigan's Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, James Howlett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ikaika Kalani!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kalani slips a jab from Howlett.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kalani.
Kalani shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Howlett as he avoids it easily.
Kalani changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Howlett tries to avoid it but Kalani manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Howlett to the ground. Howlett escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kalani shoots in but no luck this time.
James Howlett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ikaika Kalani.
Howlett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice sprawl there from Howlett as Kalani shoots in.
Howlett scores with a jab.
Howlett fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kalani lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Howlett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kalani moves away.

Kalani shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett wants to control but Kalani is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Howlett is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Howlett manages to get to full guard.

Kalani avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Howlett is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Howlett is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kalani defends well.
Howlett is breathing heavily.

Kalani drops back looking for a leg! Howlett is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Howlett manages to kick Kalani off! Kalani jumps back into Howlett's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kalani drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kalani jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Howlett looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Howlett tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kalani postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Howlett is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kalani, into his guard.
Howlett throwing strikes but missing.
Howlett working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalani working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Howlett doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Howlett manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Howlett trying to control the position from guard on top but Kalani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Howlett avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Howlett drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Howlett jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howlett pushing down on Kalani's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Howlett works his foot free and advances to mount.

Howlett swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kalani is now in Howlett's guard. A big mistake from Howlett there, giving up the dominant position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kalani has gone for a leg lock! Howlett slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kalani's guard.

Howlett is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Howlett content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kalani has his foot on Howlett's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Howlett works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Howlett swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kalani.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kalani.
Ikaika Kalani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Howlett defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kalani.
Howlett lands a glancing blow to the side of Kalani's head.

Kalani looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Howlett missing with punches from the bottom.
Kalani is looking to advance position but Howlett won't allow it.
Kalani is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Howlett looking for submissions off his back.
Howlett trying to control here.
Kalani is pressing down on Howlett's thigh, looking to free his foot. Howlett is holding on for now.
Howlett is looking to control Kalani's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Howlett avoid being mounted?

Kalani is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Howlett is just riding it out for now. Kalani eventually gives up the hold.
Howlett gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Howlett escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kalani gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Howlett doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

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

Kalani drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kalani jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kalani drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Howlett manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kalani has Howlett in his guard.
Kalani looking to hit a scissor sweep but Howlett is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett stands and throws Kalani's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Howlett looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Howlett is working to tighten is grip on Kalani's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Kalani has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Howlett is really squeezing tight and eventually Kalani passes out! Howlett breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). James Howlett!