PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Akira Kazama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jebidiah Knepp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Knepp is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Amish Paradise. Jebidiah Knepp has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kazama
vs
Knepp

180 cm
26
177 lbs
15 - 12 - 0

185 cm
23
178 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

FNF Energy & Stamina - Sale!
FNF Energy & Stamina - Sale!

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 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Akira Kazama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jebidiah Knepp!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Knepp does no damage.
Knepp fails with the takedown.
Kazama scores with a sloppy right hand. Knepp should have avoided that one.
Knepp shoots for a double leg takedown but Kazama sprawls well. He's pushed Knepp's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kazama stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Knepp shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kazama napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kazama is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Knepp goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kazama rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Knepp's guard! Nice work there by Kazama!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Knepp is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Knepp throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Knepp is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kazama defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kazama controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Knepp has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kazama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Knepp is looking for a triangle but Kazama pushes his legs off easily.
Knepp looks gassed!
Knepp working a defensive guard here.

Knepp looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kazama has picked Knepp up and slammed him! Knepp can't keep hold of the triangle and Kazama manages to pass to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Knepp is trying to improve his position.
Knepp is trying to work for a sweep but Kazama has mounted him!
Kazama controlling the pace for now.
Knepp squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Kazama content just to control the position here.
Knepp is desperately trying to improve his position but Kazama has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knepp is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Knepp bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Knepp won't allow Kazama to get back to his feet.
Knepp trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kazama's guard.

Knepp is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kazama is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kazama has escaped and now he's on top!

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Kazama stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Kazama dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Knepp is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kazama sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kazama lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Jebidiah Knepp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kazama cracks Knepp with a good jab.
Knepp looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kazama is fending him off so far but Knepp persists. Nope, Kazama circles away and we're back to standing.
Kazama throws a jab but it's blocked by Knepp.
Knepp throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kazama's waist but Kazama gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Knepp off to one side.
Akira Kazama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jebidiah Knepp.
Nice sprawl there from Kazama as Knepp shoots in.

Kazama gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kazama softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kazama prevents a takedown attempt there.

Kazama gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Knepp regains guard.
Kazama is stalling in the full guard.
Knepp is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kazama decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Knepp feints and as Kazama raises his hands in defense, Knepp changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Knepp drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kazama manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Knepp has Kazama in his guard.
Knepp looking for a sweep. Not yet Knepp, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Knepp looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kazama passes into half guard.

Kazama stands up out of the half guard.
Knepp shoots for a double leg takedown but Kazama sprawls well. He's pushed Knepp's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Knepp shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kazama as he jumps to the side.
Knepp walks into a straight right hand from Kazama.
Kazama connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Knepp throws a right and a left that Kazama avoids nicely.

Kazama drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Knepp is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kazama is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazama gets to his feet. Knepp looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Jebidiah Knepp is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kazama with a nice cross.
Knepp dodges the punch combination from Kazama.
Knepp with a poor takedown
and Kazama counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Kazama moves into the clinch.
Kazama cracks Knepp with a nice body shot.
Kazama working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kazama's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Knepp pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Knepp gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kazama counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Kazama gets to his feet - Knepp follows without any prompting.
Knepp with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kazama counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Knepp gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kazama counters with a nice uppercut.
Kazama is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knepp doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kazama counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kazama throws an overhand right that lands on Knepp's shoulder, as Knepp tries to avoid the shot.
Knepp with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kazama holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kazama can't get the takedown.

Knepp has picked Kazama up - he's going for a ride! Knepp dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Knepp seems to be working for a kimura but Kazama defends the submission attempt.
Knepp wants to pass the guard but Kazama is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Knepp is trying to work for a kimura but Kazama is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Kazama dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kazama works Knepp's body with a nice hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kazama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kazama throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Knepp stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Knepp keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kazama.
Knepp with a poor takedown
and Kazama makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Knepp with a poor takedown
and Kazama counters with a left to the body.
Good exchange - Kazama coming out on top.
Kazama catches Knepp with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Knepp with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kazama counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akira Kazama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jebidiah Knepp.
Kazama jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Knepp shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kazama scores with a hook.
Knepp with a poor takedown

and Kazama counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knepp wants to control but Kazama passes easily into half guard.
Kazama performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Kazama moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Knepp.
Knepp tries to bench press Kazama off him but Kazama keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Kazama stands up and beckons Knepp to his feet.

Kazama shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Knepp is looking to get back to full guard here but Kazama has managed to pass to side control instead.
Jebidiah Knepp has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knepp manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Knepp looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knepp tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Knepp is looking to improve his position.
Well, if Kazama is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Knepp wants to improve his position but Kazama is controlling well.
Knepp is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Knepp tries to get to full guard but Kazama has control of the leg.
Knepp trying to get back to full guard but Kazama takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Kazama content just to control the position here.
Kazama trying to control but Knepp is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akira Kazama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kazama has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akira Kazama!