PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hettie Kate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Skelton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kate comes to the cage accompanied by Peanuts Theme. Skelton comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Example - Midnight Run kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Kate
vs
Skelton

172 cm
33
160 lbs
16 - 16 - 0

176 cm
29
154 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Fishy Fighting {$15}

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hettie Kate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Manny Skelton!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, John Mangel and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skelton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kate as he avoids it easily.
Skelton throws a right and a left that Kate avoids nicely.
Kate pushes Skelton away with a front kick.
Skelton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kate sprawls well. Kate wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Skelton gets slowly back to his feet.
Kate scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Skelton doesn't seem bothered though.
Kate displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Skelton.
Hettie Kate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Skelton.
Skelton fails with a takedown attempt.
Kate lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kate slips a jab and a cross from Skelton.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skelton. Kate does a little dance to reset his feet.
Skelton lands a nice hook to Kate's body. Kate takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Skelton moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kate goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Skelton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kate lands a jab-cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kate moves into the clinch successfully.
Kate tries to stall but Skelton uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kate gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Skelton.
Skelton is trying to break free.
Nice elbow from Kate.
Skelton wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kate connects with a nasty looking knee right to Skelton's face.

It looks like Manny Skelton has been cut.
Kate is looking to control Skelton's arms but Skelton gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kate has his back to the cage.
Knees to the body from Kate.
Skelton blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kate tries to land knees in the clinch but Skelton avoids the damage to the body.
Kate looking to slow down the pace here.
Skelton managing to block the knees to the body from Kate.
Kate with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skelton is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kate is defending well.
Skelton wants to take the fight to the mat but Kate manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skelton is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Skelton is trying to push Kate away but Kate has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Skelton working hard to break the clinch.
Kate with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Skelton blocks an elbow strike.
Skelton on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kate lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kate throws an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kate.
Skelton on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Skelton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kate is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Skelton goes for a takedown attempt but Kate pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Skelton cracks Kate with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kate stalks Skelton and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Skelton's face. Skelton staggers backwards, shaken.
Kate is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kate tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Skelton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kate moves to clinch but Skelton breaks away

and Skelton counters with a takedown into side control.
Kate is trying to get back to his feet.
Kate is breathing heavily.
Kate is looking to get back to his feet here but Skelton is keeping cool and he's managed to take Kate's back.
Skelton landing with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Skelton really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Kate.
Skelton lands a shot to the head.
The referee is taking a good look at Kate as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Skelton!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skelton is landing with strikes from the back.
Skelton scores with punches to the body.
Skelton scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Can Kate hold on?! Skelton is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Kate knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Skelton on the ground.
Skelton trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Kate doesn't escape.
Skelton gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skelton is landing with strikes from the back.
Kate trying to control the hands but Skelton won't let him.
Skelton softening up his opponent with strikes here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kate is trapped and Skelton is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Kate covers up after that shot from Skelton.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Skelton dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Manny Skelton's cut.
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.

Kate looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Skelton shoots in but Kate avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Skelton is defended easily by Kate.
Kate scores with a head kick. Skelton tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kate scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kate tries to clinch there but Skelton circles away.
Skelton moves out of range as Kate throws a body kick.
Sloppy strikes from Skelton. Those never looked like landing.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Skelton closes the distance and clinches up with Kate, looking for a takedown. Skelton pushes Kate against the cage but Kate circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hettie Kate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Skelton.

Kate clinches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kate just misses with a elbow thrown towards Skelton's brow.
Kate gets underhooks to prevent Skelton's takedown attempt.
Kate is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Skelton is keeping busy.
Kate lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kate misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Skelton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kate is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Skelton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kate is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Skelton is breathing heavily.
Skelton blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Skelton is looking for a takedown.
Skelton has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kate after a bit of a struggle.
Skelton is trying to break the clinch but Kate is controlling him.
Hettie Kate has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kate landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kate stalling in the clinch.
Skelton is looking to break free of the clinch but Kate has double underhooks.
Kate landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kate misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Skelton blocks a body shot from Kate.
Skelton takes a knee right on the jaw!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kate obliges.
Kate lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Knees to the body from Kate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kate lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kate lands a nice elbow.
A frustrated look appears on Skelton's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kate lands an elbow inside.

Skelton has picked Kate up - he's going for a ride! Skelton dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Kate is trying to stand up here but Skelton is controlling him well.
Skelton looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kate with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Skelton has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Skelton looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Skelton scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kate is trying to control but Skelton manages to pass to mount!
Kate taking shots to the head.
Kate is in a horrible position here. Skelton smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kate is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skelton sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kate is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Skelton cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kate in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Manny Skelton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Skelton lands a couple of good shots and Kate has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Skelton is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Kate up.
Skelton punches Kate on the ear.
Kate trying to get back to his feet but Skelton is in full control for now.
Skelton really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Kate.
Will Skelton go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kate covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Good control from Skelton.
Kate trying to control the hands but Skelton won't let him.
Kate is trapped and Skelton is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Skelton trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Kate doesn't escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Skelton has Kate flattened out and is raining down punches.
Skelton is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Manny Skelton will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Manny Skelton's cut.
That's time! Kate's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kate avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kate scoring well with a low kick there.
Skelton fails to land the takedown.
Hettie Kate is winning the standup battle so far.
Kate fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kate fakes the leg kick and cracks Skelton in the body.
Skelton keeps the fight on the outside.
Kate throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kate throws a push kick but Skelton slaps the foot to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Kate. No joy for Skelton on that attempt.
Skelton keeps the fight on the outside.
Kate lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kate tries a head kick but it misses.
Skelton dives in and grabs Kate's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kate pushes down on Skelton's head and hops out.
Hettie Kate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Skelton.
Skelton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kate tries to close the distance and clinch up but Skelton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Skelton misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kate wants to clinch up but Skelton keeps it at a distance.
Kate fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Skelton on the side of the head.
No joy there for Kate, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Skelton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kate throws a body kick that misses.
Skelton swinging wildly here.
Kate misses with a wild combination.
Hettie Kate is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch combination from Kate misses.
A head kick misses from Kate.
Skelton avoids the body shot from Kate.
Skelton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kate pinned against the cage. Kate gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Skelton shoots in for a double leg but Kate sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hettie Kate has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Kate both land. Nice combination.
Kate is looking to clinch.
Kate displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Skelton.
Skelton swinging wildly here.
Skelton takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Skelton shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kate but Kate pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kate throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Skelton takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kate swings for the body but Skelton moves out of range.
Kate pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
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!
Skelton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kate keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kate lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Skelton circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kate pushes Skelton up against the cage in a clinch.
Skelton goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kate prevents it.
Kate with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Skelton is trying to force a seperation but Kate has the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Skelton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kate is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Skelton blocks a body shot from Kate.
Skelton is working for takedown but Kate is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kate lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kate scores a nice knee to the body.
Skelton can't get the takedown.
Skelton goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kate prevents it.
Kate lands an elbow inside that Skelton shrugs off.
Kate connects with a knee to the head.
Skelton takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kate utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Skelton wants the takedown. Kate is fighting it off but Skelton persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kate's guard against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kate throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Skelton is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kate is striking off his back. Skelton thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hettie Kate showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Skelton 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Skelton!
A very excited looking Manny Skelton made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.