PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Larkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Keynes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Larkin comes to the cage accompanied by I'm Shipping Up To Boston. Keynes has chosen Concerto for Four Violins in B minor as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Larkin
vs
Keynes

181 cm
24
212 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

185 cm
25
216 lbs
18 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hades ®
Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ryan Larkin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, John Keynes!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larkin lands with a thumping leg kick.
Larkin throws a lazy uppercut
and Keynes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Larkin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Keynes doesn't seem bothered though.
Keynes avoids the body shot from Larkin.
Larkin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Keynes circles away quickly and effectively.
Larkin throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Keynes to counter with a crisp jab.
Larkin tries a low kick but Keynes avoids it.
Keynes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Larkin's waist but Larkin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Keynes off to one side.
Keynes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Larkin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Larkin throws a lazy head kick
and Keynes counters with a good low kick that Larkin was not able to check.
Larkin swings widly with a right hand
and Keynes counters with a good, hard body kick but Larkin shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin lands an overhand right.
Larkin pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Keynes back to the cage. Larkin follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Larkin throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Larkin lands a glancing blow to the side of Keynes's head.
Larkin misses with a jab to the body
and Keynes counters with a good low kick that Larkin was not able to check.
Keynes swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Keynes scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ryan Larkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Keynes fails with a takedown attempt.
Larkin throws a left and a right that both miss

and Keynes counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Larkin's guard now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Larkin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Keynes's guard.
Larkin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Larkin wants to stand but Keynes has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Keynes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Larkin defends it easily.
Larkin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Larkin wants to pass the guard but Keynes is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Keynes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Larkin defends it easily.
Keynes wants to stand but Larkin is controlling the position.
Keynes keeping moving, preventing Larkin from controlling successfully.

Larkin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Keynes, up you get!
Keynes misses with a takedown attempt - Larkin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ryan Larkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Keynes.
Larkin cracks a nice hook into Keynes's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Larkin cracks a nice hook into Keynes's ribs.
Larkin missing with a left hand there. Keynes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Larkin checks a leg kick.
Keynes takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Larkin tries a low kick but Keynes avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Larkin throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Keynes counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Larkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Keynes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Larkin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Larkin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Larkin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Keynes.
Keynes connects with an inside leg kick.
A shot to the body from Larkin misses

and Keynes counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Keynes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Larkin is keeping the position for now.
Larkin wants to sweep here but Keynes controlling him for the moment.
Larkin lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Keynes!
Larkin looking to control but Keynes is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin controlling from the full mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Keynes really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Larkin get's back to his feet.
Keynes scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Larkin throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Keynes counters with a shoot takedown. Larkin fights it but they end up in guard.
Keynes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Larkin controlling Keynes's posture.
Keynes preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin wants to get back to his feet but Keynes is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Keynes is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Larkin keeping moving, preventing Keynes from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Keynes gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Larkin.
Keynes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Larkin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin connects with the punch.
Larkin throws a poor cross that misses
and Keynes counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Larkin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Keynes.
Keynes fails to land the takedown.
Ryan Larkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Keynes.
Larkin throws a sloppy body shot
and Keynes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Larkin swings away with a body shot that misses
and Keynes counters with a nice low kick that buckles Larkin's knee momentarily.
Keynes takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Larkin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Larkin swings away with a body shot that misses
and Keynes counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Keynes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Larkin misses with a two punch combination.
Keynes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Larkin.
Larkin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Keynes counters with an inside leg kick.
Keynes checks a leg kick.
Larkin throws a jab when Keynes was well out of range.
Keynes tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Larkin steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Keynes. That one must have hurt.
Keynes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Larkin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Keynes somewhat.
Larkin is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Larkin swings for the body but Keynes moves out of range.
Ryan Larkin is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin looks to land a combination but Keynes avoids it well.
Ryan Larkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Keynes feints and then cracks Larkin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Larkin down.
Larkin misses with a body shot

and Keynes counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Keynes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Keynes looks to land a strike but Larkin avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Larkin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Keynes trying to control but Larkin is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keynes looking to pass the guard.
Keynes preventing the sweep.
Keynes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Keynes controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Larkin throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keynes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Larkin swings and misses with a shot to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Larkin throws a leg kick

and Keynes counters with a shoot takedown. Larkin fights it but they end up in guard.
Keynes is looking to work some ground and pound but Larkin has wrist control.
John Keynes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Keynes forces his way into half guard.
Larkin regains full guard. Nicely done.
Keynes preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keynes being controlled here momentarily.
Larkin wants to get back to his feet but Keynes is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Larkin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Larkin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Keynes wants to control from the top but Larkin keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Keynes really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Larkin misses with a hook
and Keynes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Larkin misses the shot to the body.
Larkin lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Keynes backs up against the cage.
Larkin misses with a body punch
and Keynes counters with an outside leg kick.
Keynes slips a jab and a cross from Larkin.
Keynes looks for a takedown but Larkin sprawls well.
Larkin on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Larkin throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Keynes counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Larkin's guard now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keynes wants to pass the guard but Larkin is keeping the position.
Keynes trying to control but Larkin is working from the bottom.
Keynes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Larkin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Keynes is working Larkin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Larkin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Keynes content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Larkin has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Keynes off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Keynes.
Larkin throws a poor cross that misses

and Keynes counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Larkin wants to improve his position but Keynes is controlling well.
Keynes working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Keynes is looking to take a break and control but Larkin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Larkin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Keynes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keynes prevents Larkin from standing back up.
Larkin is concentrating on defense, preventing Keynes from advancing position.
Larkin has hold of Keynes's hands but Keynes slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Larkin is trying to get back to full guard.
Keynes thows a huge punch but Larkin dodges it nicely.
Larkin trying to control from the bottom.
Keynes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Larkin keeps working.
Keynes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keynes wants to free his trapped foot but Larkin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Larkin manages to get to full guard.
Larkin is controlling Keynes's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Keynes dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Keynes closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Larkin preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Keynes is taking a breather. Larkin says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Keynes is thwarting Larkin's attempts to control the position.
Larkin is looking for a sweep. Keynes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keynes is thwarting Larkin's attempts to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ryan Larkin wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Good standup being displayed there by Keynes as he connects with a hook.
Larkin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

so Keynes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Keynes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Larkin is keeping the position for now.
Keynes throws a strike but Larkin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Larkin controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keynes 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.
Larkin wants to get up but he can't break Keynes's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Keynes 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.

Keynes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ryan Larkin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Keynes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Larkin manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Keynes drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Larkin dives on top into guard.
Keynes has a closed guard, preventing Larkin from standing up.
Larkin landing some decent shots from guard.
Larkin is looking to stand up but Keynes won't let him.

Larkin gets to his feet - Keynes follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin stuffs the takedown.
Keynes throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Larkin.
Keynes fails with the takedown
and Larkin counters with a low kick, right behind Keynes 's knee.
Keynes is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Larkin tries to land a leg kick but Keynes saw it coming and moves away.
Nice body kick there by Larkin.
Larkin thumps Keynes with a low kick.
Keynes checks a leg kick.
John Keynes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Larkin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ryan Larkin.
I think Keynes has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... John Keynes!
John Keynes is the new light heavyweight champion!