PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Erik Folayang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samson Kekiwi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kekiwi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Native Boys. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Folayang
vs
Kekiwi

180 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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, Erik Folayang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Samson Kekiwi!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Folayang connects with the punch.
Folayang connects with a solid leg kick.
Kekiwi throws a right and a left that Folayang avoids nicely.
Folayang lands a jab to the head.
Kekiwi walks forward, straight into a front kick from Folayang.
Folayang throws a chopping leg kick but Kekiwi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Folayang has his takedown stuffed

and Kekiwi counters by moving into the clinch.
Folayang jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kekiwi walks away with a smile on his face. Folayang gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Folayang tests Kekiwi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Folayang leaves Kekiwi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Folayang connects with a solid leg kick.
Folayang takes a swing at Kekiwi's ribcage but misses.

Kekiwi drives through with a takedown into Folayang's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kekiwi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Folayang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kekiwi wants to get up but he can't break Folayang's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folayang 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.
Kekiwi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Folayang's head.
Folayang wants to sweep but no luck.
Kekiwi won't allow Folayang to get back to his feet.
Kekiwi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kekiwi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Folayang wants to control but Kekiwi passes easily into half guard.
Folayang is trying to stand back up but Kekiwi is controlling him
Folayang is breathing heavily.
Folayang tries to kick Kekiwi off in order to stand up. Kekiwi Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kekiwi scoring with punches from side control.
Folayang taking punishment in the form of punches.
Folayang is trying to get back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Folayang gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Kekiwi controlling his opponent.
Folayang keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kekiwi working the ground and pound effectively.
Kekiwi controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kekiwi raining down shots from the mount!
Folayang wants to hold on but Kekiwi pushes him away.
Folayang is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Folayang is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kekiwi controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kekiwi cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kekiwi with the ground and pound from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kekiwi fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Folayang is desperately trying to improve his position but Kekiwi has a good base and remains in mount.
Kekiwi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Folayang knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kekiwi on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kekiwi is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Folayang can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Folayang is rocked!

Kekiwi wants to finish this one by submission but Folayang is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kekiwi.
Kekiwi content just to control the position here.
Kekiwi landing shots from mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kekiwi connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Oh Folayang is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kekiwi 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.

Samson Kekiwi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Folayang misses with a body kick.
Folayang seems to have got his legs back now.
Kekiwi cracks Folayang with an open hand slap.
Kekiwi is looking to clinch.
Kekiwi throws a right hand that Folayang ducks under and follows up with a left that Folayang also avoids with ease.
Folayang lands with a slapping head kick.

Kekiwi is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Folayang's half guard.
Kekiwi content to control rather than advance.
Folayang is looking for a sweep. Kekiwi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Folayang is defending against the submission attempts here by Kekiwi.
Samson Kekiwi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kekiwi is nestled in close to Folayang, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Folayang makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Folayang gets caught flat footed, as Kekiwi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kekiwi content to stall in guard here.
Folayang wants to sweep here but Kekiwi controlling him for the moment.
Kekiwi wants to stand but Folayang is controlling his posture from full guard.
Folayang working a defensive guard here.
Kekiwi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Samson Kekiwi was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Folayang throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Folayang stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Folayang wants it to stay on the feet.
Folayang connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kekiwi. Kekiwi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kekiwi throws a sloppy head kick and Folayang moves out of range easily.
Kekiwi is breathing heavily.
Folayang throws a head kick but Kekiwi moves out of range.
Kekiwi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Folayang circles away.

Kekiwi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Folayang was covering up waiting for the punch and Kekiwi finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Folayang wants to stand and escape but Kekiwi is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kekiwi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Folayang trying to control the position.
Kekiwi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Folayang swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Erik Folayang just wasn't active enough.
Kekiwi closes the distance and clinches up with Folayang, looking for a takedown. Kekiwi pushes Folayang against the cage but Folayang circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Erik Folayang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samson Kekiwi.
Folayang lands the left hand.
Kekiwi takes one to the chin there.
Folayang moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Folayang scores with a head kick. Kekiwi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kekiwi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A lazy left from Folayang finds it's target.
Folayang lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kekiwi's sensitive parts.
No joy there for Kekiwi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Folayang's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kekiwi under the eye.
Folayang throws a quick inside leg kick.
Folayang looks for a takedown but Kekiwi sprawls well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Folayang scoring well with a low kick there.
Kekiwi sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kekiwi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Folayang pushes Kekiwi off looking to stand but Kekiwi dives back in and keeps control.
Folayang is staying active underneath Kekiwi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Samson Kekiwi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A nice combination there by Folayang.
Folayang buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Folayang throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Folayang throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Folayang tries to land a front kick but Kekiwi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kekiwi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Folayang drops his hands momentarily and Kekiwi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kekiwi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Folayang circles away.
Kekiwi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Folayang sprawls well. Folayang wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kekiwi gets slowly back to his feet.

Folayang shoots in and bounces Kekiwi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kekiwi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folayang trying to control the position from guard on top but Kekiwi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kekiwi pulls Folayang in to control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Folayang throws a wild body kick that Kekiwi sees coming a mile off.
Folayang fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kekiwi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Folayang ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Folayang tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kekiwi throws a head kick but Folayang moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Folayang tenderised Kekiwi's leg. Kekiwi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Folayang moves out of range as Kekiwi throws a body kick.
Folayang lands a nice shot that snaps Kekiwi's head back.
Kekiwi misses with a takedown attempt - Folayang sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Erik Folayang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samson Kekiwi.
Folayang cracks the inside of Kekiwi's front leg.
Folayang cracks Kekiwi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A chopping leg kick lands by Folayang.
Folayang tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kekiwi defends well and Folayang ends up having to push Kekiwi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Folayang with a knee to the head.
Folayang is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kekiwi is defending well for now.
Folayang missing with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Folayang is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Folayang stalling in the clinch but Kekiwi improves position.
Folayang is pressed up against the cage. Kekiwi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Folayang down to the mat. Folayang avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kekiwi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Folayang explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kekiwi tries a head kick but it misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Folayang.
Erik Folayang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Folayang looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kekiwi on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kekiwi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Folayang lands with a nice body kick.
Kekiwi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Folayang dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kekiwi. That did some damage!
Erik Folayang is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Folayang.
Folayang lands a nice looking body kick.
Folayang fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice body punch from Folayang.
Folayang connects with a leg kick. Kekiwi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Folayang lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Folayang is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Samson Kekiwi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Folayang throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Erik Folayang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kekiwi shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Folayang manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Folayang is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Samson Kekiwi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kekiwi pushing down on Folayang's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erik Folayang showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kekiwi 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 Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samson Kekiwi!
A very excited looking Samson Kekiwi 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.