PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Josh Norton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenny Worner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenny Worner has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Norton
vs
Worner

180 cm
26
265 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

225 cm
28
245 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

Decent elbows
Experienced

Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Norton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kenny Worner!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Norton throws a nice looking combination but Worner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Worner is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Norton keeps the fight on the outside.

Norton clinches up against the cage.
Worner wants to stall.
Worner wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Norton has him pressed against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Worner tries to land knees in the clinch but Norton avoids the damage to the body.
Worner is looking to break free of the clinch but Norton has double underhooks.
Worner is looking to break free of the clinch but Norton has double underhooks.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Norton prevents Worner from breaking the clinch.
Worner is trying to maintain a safe position but Norton gets an underhook and turns Worner into the cage.

Norton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jab by Worner.
Worner misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner misses with a wild combination.

Norton drives through and clinches with Worner against the cage.

Norton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Worner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Worner misses with an uppercut. Norton saw that one coming.

Norton drives through and clinches with Worner against the cage.
Worner tries to work over Norton's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Norton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Norton.
Norton misses with a head kick.
Worner throws a nice looking combination but Norton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Norton takes the fight into the clinch.

Norton manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Worner moves in looking to clinch but Norton pushes him off.

Norton moves into the clinch successfully.
Norton lands with a light punch inside.
Worner has had enough of the clinch but Norton keeps him there for the moment.
Worner is looking to break free of the clinch but Norton has double underhooks.
Worner can't break the clinch.

Norton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Norton circles away from the clinch attempt

and Norton counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Norton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Worner tries to clinch up

and Norton holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Worner tries to stall but Norton uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Norton scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Kenny Worner has been cut.
Worner misses with a punch on the inside.

Norton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Worner misses with a body shot.

Norton has Worner up against the cage in a clinch.
Worner looking to stall.
Norton lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Norton - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Norton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Norton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Worner.
Worner dodges the punch combination from Norton.
Norton throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Norton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Worner.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Worner doesn't manage to clinch there - Norton circles away.

Norton drives through and clinches with Worner against the cage.
Worner misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Norton dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kenny Worner's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Worner with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Norton lands an overhand right.
Worner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Worner closes the distance looking to clinch

and Norton counters by moving into the clinch.
Norton blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Norton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Worner darts in trying to clinch

and Norton counters by clinching up.

Norton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Worner tries to clinch up.
Worner misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Norton has closed the distance and engaged Worner in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Worner's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Norton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Worner's efforts to push away.
Worner can't break the clinch.

Norton manages to break the clinch.
Josh Norton is winning the standup battle so far.
Worner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Norton moves into the clinch.
Worner is looking to control Norton's arms but Norton gets an underhook and turns him. Now Worner has his back to the cage.

Norton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Josh Norton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Norton looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Norton blocks a leg kick.
Worner throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Norton. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Norton.
Worner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Worner is looking to chop away at Norton's legs.
Worner wants to clinch but Norton slips to the side
and Norton counters with a low kick, right behind Worner 's knee.
Worner darts in trying to clinch
and Norton counters with an inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Worner misses with a body shot.

Norton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Worner, pushing him back against the cage.
Worner misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Norton.
Norton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Worner's efforts to push away.
Norton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Worner's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norton blocks an elbow strike.
Norton managing to block the knees to the body from Worner.
Norton is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Josh Norton has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Worner misses with a short punch on the inside.
Norton is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Worner is looking to break free of the clinch but Norton has double underhooks.
Worner wants to get back to striking at distance but Norton won't allow it.

Norton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Worner tries a low kick but Norton avoids it.
Worner blocks a head kick by Norton.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Norton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Worner, pushing him back against the cage.
Norton is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Worner tries to stall but Norton uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Norton manages to break the clinch.

Norton rushes Worner and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Norton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Worner thows a leg kick but Norton checks it

and Norton counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Norton.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Worner misses with a shot to the kidneys.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Worner wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Worner looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Norton manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Norton dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kenny Worner's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Worner misses with a two punch combination.

Norton darts in and clinches Worner up against the cage.
The referee calls for Norton to work.

Norton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Norton circles away from the clinch attempt.

Norton clinches with his opponent.
Norton lands a shot to the body.
Worner is trying to break the clinch but Norton has him pressed against the cage.
Norton is working Worner over against the cage.

Norton manages to break the clinch.

Norton forces Worner back against the cage and clinches.
Norton slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner stalling in the clinch but Norton improves position.
Norton lands a body shot.
Worner throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Norton blocks it with crossed arms.

Norton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Worner pivots, looking for a leg kick but Norton is out of range and Worner settles back down.
Worner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Norton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Worner misses with the body kick
and Norton counters with a nice low kick that buckles Worner's knee momentarily.
Norton circles away from the clinch attempt.
Worner wants to clinch.
Norton avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Worner lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Norton has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Norton and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Worner throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Norton closes the distance and clinches.
Norton unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Worner is trying to break the clinch but Norton has him pressed against the cage.

Norton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Norton gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Worner wants to break free but Norton has control.
Nice body punch from Norton.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Norton lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worner is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Worner wants to break free but Norton has control.
Norton lands a knee to the body.
Worner working hard to break the clinch.

Norton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Worner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Worner tries to close the distance and clinch but Norton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A good leg kick by Norton.
Worner tries to clinch up.

Norton has closed the distance and engaged Worner in a clinch.
Norton lands a body shot.
Worner wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Norton just leaning against Worner, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Worner misses with a knee to the head.

Norton breaks from the clinch.
Norton throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Worner.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Norton gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Worner is trying to maintain a safe position but Norton gets an underhook and turns Worner into the cage.
A knee to the head by Norton.

Norton breaks from the clinch.

Norton moves into range and clinches up with Worner.

Norton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Norton has taken the fight to the clinch.
Worner tries to land knees in the clinch but Norton avoids the damage to the body.
Nice body punch from Norton - that landed with a thud.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Norton clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Kenny Worner's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Worner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Worner throws a sloppy head kick and Norton moves out of range easily.

Norton moves into the clinch.

Norton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Norton closes the distance and scores with a big combo that sends Worner crashing to the mat! Worner uses the cage to get back to his feet and beat the count. The referee looks concerned but he's going to allow it to continue!

Worner is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Worner misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Worner is still on wobbly legs! Can Norton finish him?
Worner throws a head kick that misses.

Norton rushes Worner and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Worner seems to have recovered his senses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Norton as Worner tries to tie him up.
Norton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Worner's efforts to push away.
Norton lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norton utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Norton is leaning against Worner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Worner is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Worner struggles to land a body shot inside as Norton controls his hands.
Norton landing knees to the body.
Norton content to slow the pace in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Worner throws an elbow but misses.

Norton manages to break the clinch.
Worner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Worner misses with a hook.

Norton pushes Worner up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norton pressing his opponent against the cage.
Worner can't find room to land a body shot as Norton controls the action.
Norton displaying some good clinch control by pressing Worner up against the cage.
Norton lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Worner.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Worner can't break the clinch.

Norton manages to break the clinch.
Norton avoids the body shot from Worner.
Norton circles away from the clinch attempt
and Norton counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worner doesn't manage to clinch there - Norton circles away.
Nice uppercut there from Worner.
Norton is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Worner can do to turn this around?

Norton instigates a clinch.

Norton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Norton lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Worner circles away quickly and effectively.
Worner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Norton swats away the attempt to clinch by Worner.

Norton has Worner up against the cage in a clinch.
Norton taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Norton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Worner tries to clinch there but Norton circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Norton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Worner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Norton paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Worner gets tackled into the cage by Norton. Norton maintains the clinch.
Worner misses with a hook to the ribs.
Worner is trying to break the clinch but Norton is controlling him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee calls for Norton to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Norton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Norton takes the final round due to the solitary knockdown.
The cut man is working on Kenny Worner's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice jab there from Worner.
Norton fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A leg kick checked by Norton.
Norton misses with a few strikes there.
Worner wants to clinch.

Norton rushes Worner and presses him up against the cage.
Worner trying to stall but Norton improves his position.
Norton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Worner's efforts to push away.
Worner is trying to force a seperation but Norton has the dominant position.
Worner wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Norton breaks from the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Norton leaning his opponent against the cage.

Norton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Worner tries to land a front kick but Norton steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Worner throws a body kick that misses.
Norton throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Worner doesn't manage to clinch there - Norton circles away.

Norton has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norton pressing his opponent against the cage.

Norton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Norton circles away from the clinch attempt

and Norton holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Worner lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Norton landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Norton holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Norton.
Worner is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worner is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Norton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A punch combination from Norton misses.
Worner tries to work over Norton's front leg with a kick but Norton checks it.
Norton avoids the head kick by Worner.

Norton drives through and clinches with Worner against the cage.
Worner has had enough of the clinch but Norton keeps him there for the moment.

Norton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Norton moves into range and clinches up with Worner.

Norton breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Norton closes the distance and clinches.
Worner wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Norton has him pressed against the cage.
Norton stalling the fight.

Norton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Worner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Worner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Norton moves away.
Norton misses with a body kick.
Worner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Norton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Worner is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Norton rather than just go for the knockout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Worner throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Worner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kenny Worner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Josh Norton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A swing and a miss from Worner.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Norton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Norton 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:44
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 50:44
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Norton!
Josh Norton retains his heavyweight title!