PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luca Pendolo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Kahlua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pendolo comes to the cage accompanied by Saliva - Superstar. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pendolo
vs
Kahlua

180 cm
23
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
174 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

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 Hilo, Luca Pendolo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, George Kahlua!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kahlua misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pendolo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kahlua as he avoids it easily.
Kahlua misses with a double jab.
Pendolo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kahlua as he jumps to the side.
Pendolo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kahlua sprawls well. Kahlua wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pendolo gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luca Pendolo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pendolo throws a jab but it's blocked by Kahlua.
Kahlua throws a push kick but Pendolo slaps the foot to one side.
George Kahlua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kahlua throws a half hearted mid kick.
A head kick from Kahlua lands but Pendolo takes it in his stride.

It looks like Luca Pendolo has been cut.
Kahlua scores with the left hand. Pendolo knows he should have avoided that one.
Pendolo blocks the body kick.
Pendolo dodges the punch combination from Kahlua.

Pendolo rushes Kahlua and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pendolo manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
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.
Pendolo keeping moving, preventing Kahlua from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kahlua missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pendolo controlling Kahlua's posture.
Kahlua looking to sit in guard and control but Pendolo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Pendolo tries to free his leg and advance position but Kahlua is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pendolo content to stall in guard here.

We're going to have a standup here because Luca Pendolo wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pendolo.

Pendolo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Pendolo is breathing heavily.
Pendolo trying to control the position but Kahlua is working away.
Kahlua regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pendolo content to control rather than advance.
Pendolo wants to control but Kahlua is keeping him busy.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kahlua tries to roll over but Pendolo keeps him under control.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Luca Pendolo just wasn't active enough.
Kahlua misses with a body kick.

Kahlua forces Pendolo back against the cage and clinches.
Pendolo keeps control of Kahlua as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pendolo throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kahlua wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kahlua has clasped his hands together around Pendolo's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pendolo is trying to control Kahlua's posture but Kahlua avoids it.
Kahlua throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Pendolo parries the strikes from Kahlua easily there. Kahlua is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Pendolo to escape.
Pendolo is not content to let Kahlua control the position.
Pendolo regains half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pendolo is staying active underneath Kahlua, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Pendolo is trying to get back to full guard.
Kahlua throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but George Kahlua will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Luca Pendolo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A solid body kick from Kahlua.

Kahlua forces Pendolo back against the cage and clinches.
Pendolo digs a right hand into Kahlua's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kahlua's gas tank.
Kahlua is trying to break the clinch but Pendolo is controlling him.
Pendolo lands with a short shot to the head.

Kahlua gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pendolo is looking to control Kahlua's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Pendolo avoid being mounted?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kahlua prevents Pendolo from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Luca Pendolo just wasn't active enough.
Pendolo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kahlua but Kahlua pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pendolo tries to clinch up.

Kahlua rushes Pendolo and presses him up against the cage.
Pendolo lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Pendolo manages to break the clinch.
Kahlua misses with a few strikes there.
Luca Pendolo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kahlua lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Nice sprawl there from Kahlua as Pendolo shoots in.

Kahlua gets a clinch.
Kahlua is trying to push Pendolo away but Pendolo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pendolo has picked Kahlua up - he's going for a ride! Pendolo dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Pendolo thows a huge punch but Kahlua dodges it nicely.
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!
Pendolo is keen to just control but Kahlua is a slippery customer.
Kahlua trying to control here.
Kahlua is trying to stand up here but Pendolo is controlling him well.
Kahlua is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kahlua fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pendolo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kahlua closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kahlua throws a hook but Pendolo blocks it.

Kahlua closes the distance and clinches.
Pendolo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pendolo.
Kahlua has had enough of the clinch but Pendolo keeps him there for the moment.
Kahlua wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kahlua escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pendolo is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kahlua.
Kahlua goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Pendolo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kahlua, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Pendolo.

Pendolo breaks from the clinch.
Pendolo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Pendolo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kahlua is trying to defend but Pendolo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pendolo slips a nice elbow through Kahlua's hands, connecting with Kahlua's forehead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kahlua gets back to full guard.
Pendolo trying to control but Kahlua is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Luca Pendolo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Luca Pendolo's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kahlua connects with a good right hand that stumbles Pendolo. Pendolo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Pendolo avoids the head kick by Kahlua.
Pendolo throws a series of punches but Kahlua avoids them all with ease.
Kahlua stuffs the takedown.
Pendolo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kahlua moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Kahlua closes the distance and clinches.
Kahlua blocks an elbow strike.
A frustrated look appears on Kahlua's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Pendolo manages to break the clinch.

Kahlua takes the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pendolo'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.
Kahlua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kahlua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kahlua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kahlua wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pendolo has him pressed against the cage.
Kahlua is trying to force a seperation but Pendolo has the dominant position.
Pendolo lands a nice uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Pendolo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kahlua wants to get back to striking at distance but Pendolo won't allow it.
Pendolo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Pendolo gets tackled into the cage by Kahlua. Kahlua maintains the clinch.
Kahlua throws a punch but it's blocked by Pendolo.
Kahlua is trying to break the clinch but Pendolo has him pressed against the cage.

Pendolo has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Kahlua clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Kahlua turns into Pendolo and is now in his guard.
Kahlua trying to control the position from guard on top but Pendolo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Luca Pendolo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kahlua tries to stand but Pendolo is controlling from the bottom.
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!
Kahlua being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahlua loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kahlua trying to control but Pendolo is working from the bottom.
Kahlua throws a strike but Pendolo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kahlua has Pendolo pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up. George Kahlua was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Pendolo moves away from the strike by Kahlua.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kahlua closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Kahlua gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kahlua manages to break the clinch.

Pendolo moves into range and clinches up with Kahlua.
Kahlua is trying to break the clinch but Pendolo has him pressed against the cage.

Pendolo jumps into guard, dragging Kahlua to the mat.
Pendolo looking for a sweep. Not yet Pendolo, not yet.
Kahlua must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kahlua connects with a couple of short punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pendolo looking for a sweep. Not yet Pendolo, not yet.
Kahlua working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
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!
Pendolo is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Kahlua comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kahlua 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Kahlua!
George Kahlua was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.