PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rory Keenan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joshua Keys (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Keenan comes to the cage accompanied by Warriors Code. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Keenan
vs
Keys

178 cm
24
169 lbs
6 - 4 - 1

185 cm
19
194 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Rory Keenan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Joshua Keys!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keys moves away from the strike by Keenan.
Keys chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Keenan can pounce on him.

Keys bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
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.
Keys trying to control the position but Keenan is working away.
Keenan gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Keenan bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Keys wants to control the position but Keenan says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Keenan stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keys wants to control but Keenan is keeping busy.
Keenan slows the pace down in half guard.

Keys looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Keys trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Keenan is controlling the pace.
Keys wants to control but Keenan passes into side.
Keys tries to bench press Keenan off him but Keenan keeps the position.
Keys can't do much from the bottom here.
Keenan taking a breather here.
Keys regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan wants to pass the guard but Keys is defending well.
Keenan is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Keys is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Keenan pulls his head out easily.

Keys looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Keenan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Keys does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Keys looking for submissions off his back.
Keenan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Keys looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Keys is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Keenan pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rory Keenan will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Keenan lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Keys at a distance.
Keenan tries to clinch there but Keys circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Keenan.
Keys struggling a bit here.
Keys tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Keenan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Keys is letting Keenan control him for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keys tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Keys's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rory Keenan.
Keys moves out of range as Keenan throws a body kick.
Keenan throws a sloppy head kick and Keys moves out of range easily.
Good exchange - Keenan coming out on top.

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.
Keys tries for a takedown but Keenan circles away easily
and Keenan counters with a right hand to the body.
Keys doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Keenan counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Keys's guard now.
Keenan content to stall in guard here.

Keys is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Keys is breathing heavily.
Keenan stands and throws Keys's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keys is trying to work for a sweep but Keenan has mounted him!
Keys is looking to improve his position but Keenan isn't that keen on the idea.
Keys is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Keenan controlling from mount.
Keenan can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Keys is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Keenan takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Keys is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Keenan tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Keenan dominated that second round.
That's time! Keenan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Keys moves out of range of the body kick from Keenan.

Keenan shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Keenan showed some decent athleticism there.
Keys wants to control but Keenan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Keys is trying to control but Keenan passes into side control!
Keenan advances to mount.
Keenan looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keys reaches up to try and control the position but Keenan seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Keys rolls and tries to escape and now Keenan has his back!
Keys trying to control but not successfully.
Keenan has the hooks in. Keys is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Keys is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Keys looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Keys is trying to break free.
Keys turns into Keenan and is now in his guard.
Keenan keeping full guard, as Keys tries to pass.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Keenan clinches up against the cage.
Keys is trying to drag Keenan to the mat but Keenan just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Keys takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Keys wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Keenan lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Keenan in particular looking to stall.
Joshua Keys has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Keenan seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Keys for as long as he can get away with.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Keenan here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Keys is looking to control Keenan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Keys avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keys wants to improve his position but Keenan is controlling well.
Keys won't allow Keenan to pass to mount.
Keys is looking to get back to full guard here but Keenan has managed to pass to side control instead.
Keenan manages to capitalize on a mistake by Keys to take his back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Keys wants to control his opponent's hands but Keenan gets his hands free.
Keenan has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Keys's body.
Rory Keenan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Keenan is hanging on to Keys's back as he tries to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rory Keenan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Keenan 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

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