PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Dean Rockefeller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Kelly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rockefeller's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kreator - Violent Revolution. Kelly comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Jedi Mind Tricks / Retaliation kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dean Rockefeller
vs
Kelly

185 cm
23
158 lbs
13 - 0 - 0

179 cm
24
161 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Dean Rockefeller!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, George Kelly!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rockefeller takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rockefeller is looking to land body kicks.
Rockefeller takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Rockefeller has managed to clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kelly has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kelly doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kelly is trying to maintain a safe position but Rockefeller gets an underhook and turns Kelly into the cage.
Rockefeller can't find room to land a body shot as Kelly controls the action.
Kelly utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Rockefeller swings wildly with an uppercut but Kelly uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rockefeller tries to work over Kelly's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kelly.
Rockefeller misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rockefeller blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rockefeller scores with a shoulder strike.
Rockefeller working aggressively here.
Rockefeller struggles to land a body shot inside as Kelly controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rockefeller.

Rockefeller gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Rockefeller working over Kelly with some ground and pound. Kelly looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Rockefeller is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kelly sees it coming and defends easily.
Kelly is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rockefeller not doing much here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kelly manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rockefeller throws a big elbow that misses.
Rockefeller controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller throwing strikes but missing.
Kelly seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rockefeller throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kelly not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rockefeller stopping the sweep attempt from Kelly.
Rockefeller has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kelly keeping moving, preventing Rockefeller from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rockefeller waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kelly.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kelly looks to land a left hand but Rockefeller moved out of range nicely.
Kelly will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kelly looks to land a body kick but Rockefeller moved away.
Kelly scoring well with a low kick there.
Rockefeller on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kelly. Kelly obviously looking to wear him down.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kelly.
Rockefeller moves out of range of the leg kick from Kelly.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rockefeller.
Rockefeller throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rockefeller with a nice cross.
Nice takedown defense from Kelly. No joy for Rockefeller on that attempt.
Kelly fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kelly tries to score with a low kick but Rockefeller moves his leg out of the way.
Both fighters circling a little - Kelly finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Rockefeller looks to land a left hand but Kelly moved out of range nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rockefeller tries to score with a low kick but Kelly moves his leg out of the way.
Kelly throws a big shot that misses.

Kelly rushes Rockefeller and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kelly misses with a knee to the head.
Rockefeller takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like James Dean Rockefeller has been cut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kelly tries a knee to the head but Rockefeller blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kelly.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kelly taking a breather.
Rockefeller can't find room to land a body shot as Kelly controls the action.
Kelly tries to land a knee to the head but Rockefeller blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but George Kelly will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on James Dean Rockefeller's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kelly throws a leg kick but Rockefeller sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rockefeller throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rockefeller tries a low kick but Kelly avoids it.
Rockefeller moves out of range as Kelly throws a body kick.
Rockefeller checks a leg kick nicely.
Rockefeller checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kelly pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rockefeller is out of range and Kelly settles back down.
Kelly throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rockefeller with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kelly moves out of range of the strikes.
Kelly keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rockefeller.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kelly.
Rockefeller has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kelly.
Rockefeller takes a swing at Kelly's ribcage but misses.
Kelly throws a body kick that misses.

Rockefeller pushes Kelly up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly scores with a shoulder strike.
Kelly dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kelly trying to control the position but instead, Rockefeller has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kelly into the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kelly obliges.
Kelly throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rockefeller blocks it with crossed arms.
Nice body punch from Kelly - that landed with a thud.
Kelly misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rockefeller.
Kelly misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rockefeller.
Rockefeller swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rockefeller has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kelly after a bit of a struggle.
Rockefeller blocks a body shot from Kelly.
A body shot lands from Kelly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelly with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Good body shot from Rockefeller.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kelly looking to throw knees to the head but Rockefeller is blocking nicely.
Rockefeller lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rockefeller stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kelly tries to land knees in the clinch but Rockefeller avoids the damage to the body.
Rockefeller really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rockefeller tries to work over Kelly's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rockefeller letting Kelly take a breather here.
Kelly throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rockefeller throws a punch but it's blocked by Kelly.
Rockefeller doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rockefeller misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller throws a punch but it's blocked by Kelly.
Kelly tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rockefeller on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rockefeller tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rockefeller working aggressively here.
A right hand to the body from Kelly.
Kelly missing with knees to the body.
George Kelly seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kelly is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kelly prevents a body shot from Rockefeller.
Kelly is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rockefeller is defending well for now.
Rockefeller misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rockefeller makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kelly landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rockefeller manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rockefeller manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kelly taking a breather.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kelly - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rockefeller blocks a body shot from Kelly.
Rockefeller can't find room to land a body shot as Kelly controls the action.

Rockefeller works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into 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.
Rockefeller trying to control the position from guard on top but Kelly is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kelly is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but George Kelly will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on James Dean Rockefeller's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rockefeller swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kelly.
Rockefeller takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rockefeller fails with a takedown attempt.
Rockefeller feints a jab promting Kelly to slip. Rockefeller then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kelly slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rockefeller tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kelly throws a leg kick but Rockefeller moved away.
Rockefeller lands a leg kick that knocks Kelly off balance momentarily.
Kelly checks a low kick from Rockefeller.
Rockefeller displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kelly throws out the jab.
Kelly connects with a right hand. Rockefeller shakes it off.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rockefeller.
Rockefeller swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kelly uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rockefeller.
Rockefeller avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kelly tries to clinch up.
Kelly throws a head kick that Rockefeller semi-blocks.
Kelly jabs at Rockefeller's body.
Rockefeller blocks the body kick.
George Kelly seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kelly explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rockefeller avoids the head kick by Kelly.
Rockefeller throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kelly misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rockefeller keeps the fight on the outside.
Rockefeller moves out of range of the leg kick from Kelly.
Rockefeller doesn't manage to clinch there - Kelly circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelly misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kelly wants to clinch
and Rockefeller counters with a straight right hand.
Rockefeller moves in looking to clinch but Kelly pushes him off.
Rockefeller checks a leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rockefeller throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rockefeller throws a push kick but Kelly slaps the foot to one side.
Kelly throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rockefeller's head.
Rockefeller is looking to score with low kicks.
Rockefeller tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kelly doesn't manage to clinch there - Rockefeller circles away.
Kelly works Rockefeller's body with a nice hook.
Kelly throws a chopping leg kick but Rockefeller manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kelly. That's going to slow Rockefeller down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kelly. Rockefeller shrugs it off though.
Rockefeller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kelly.
Crunch! Kelly slams his shin into Rockefeller's torso.
Donk. Rockefeller catches Kelly right on the button with a cross.
Kelly lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rockefeller fails with the takedown.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kelly.
Kelly looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kelly with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rockefeller takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Rockefeller throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rockefeller misses with a straight right.
An inside leg kick lands from Rockefeller.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kelly throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kelly misses with the body kick

and Rockefeller counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rockefeller working the ground and pound.
Kelly is looking to regain half guard here but Rockefeller keeps moving and retains side control.

Rockefeller is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kelly has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kelly is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rockefeller's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kelly trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Kelly really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Dean Rockefeller'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.

Rockefeller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rockefeller lands with a nice body punch.
Rockefeller wants to clinch up but Kelly keeps it at a distance.
Kelly throws a leg kick but Rockefeller sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kelly moves out of range as Rockefeller throws a body kick.
Kelly listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rockefeller is looking to clinch but Kelly is avoiding it.
Rockefeller is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rockefeller on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kelly. Kelly obviously looking to wear him down.
Rockefeller will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

Kelly moves into the clinch.
Kelly misses with a knee strike.
Rockefeller gets through Kelly's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kelly scores a nice knee to the body.
Rockefeller has Kelly pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kelly manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kelly wants to stall.
The referee calls for Kelly to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Rockefeller.
Rockefeller misses with a punch on the inside.
Rockefeller working aggressively here.
Rockefeller blocks a body shot from Kelly.
Kelly with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kelly blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kelly with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Rockefeller scores with a shoulder strike.
Kelly controlling the action here for a moment.
Rockefeller lands with a right to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelly tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kelly unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rockefeller lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Rockefeller is trying to trip Kelly. He has hold of a leg but Kelly is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Rockefeller persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rockefeller won't allow Kelly to sweep him here.
Rockefeller stands up over Kelly, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Kelly has an active guard here but Rockefeller has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rockefeller lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rockefeller throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kelly knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rockefeller prevents Kelly from improving his position.
Kelly is refusing to be controlled, as Rockefeller sits in half guard.
Kelly trying to control from the bottom.
Rockefeller is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kelly is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
James Dean Rockefeller overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rockefeller wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kelly keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller is thwarting Kelly's attempts to control the position.

Kelly is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rockefeller pulls his head out easily.
Kelly trying to hold on to Rockefeller's head to control him but Rockefeller postures up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rockefeller lands a nice short elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kelly is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kelly is refusing to be controlled, as Rockefeller sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that James Dean Rockefeller will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on James Dean Rockefeller's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kelly throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rockefeller blocks a head kick by Kelly.
Kelly lands a head kick. Rockefeller smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kelly is looking to land body kicks.
Rockefeller tries for a takedown but Kelly sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rockefeller is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kelly sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rockefeller throws a wild body kick that Kelly sees coming a mile off.
Kelly moves out of range of the body kick from Rockefeller.

Kelly gets tackled into the cage by Rockefeller. Rockefeller maintains the clinch.
Kelly lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rockefeller tries a body shot but Kelly blocks it.
Kelly tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rockefeller tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kelly's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly digs a right hand into Rockefeller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rockefeller's gas tank.
Kelly blocks a body shot from Rockefeller.
Rockefeller misses with a body punch.
Kelly tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rockefeller working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rockefeller looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Dean Rockefeller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kelly lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rockefeller tries for a takedown but Kelly manages to get underhooks.
Kelly struggles to land a body shot inside as Rockefeller controls his hands.
Kelly trying to land knees to the body.
Kelly lands with a light punch inside.
Kelly tries to throw a body punch but Rockefeller avoids it by throwing Kelly back against the cage.
Rockefeller lands a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Rockefeller fails to land.
Rockefeller misses with a punch to the body.
James Dean Rockefeller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kelly using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rockefeller has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rockefeller working aggressively here.
Kelly is trying to maintain a safe position but Rockefeller gets an underhook and turns Kelly into the cage.
Kelly lands with a short head shot on the inside.
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!
Kelly prevents a body shot from Rockefeller.
Kelly slows down the pace here.
Kelly using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rockefeller has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kelly blocking some punches.
Kelly lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rockefeller wants a takedown but no success here.
Rockefeller digs a right hand into Kelly's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kelly's gas tank.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rockefeller on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kelly throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rockefeller blocks it with crossed arms.
Kelly blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kelly lands with a left to the head.
Kelly working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rockefeller misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rockefeller misses with a body punch.
Kelly misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rockefeller has Kelly pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kelly manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kelly using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rockefeller has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rockefeller tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rockefeller avoiding damage as Kelly throws knees to the body.
Rockefeller lands a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rockefeller digs a right hand underneath Kelly's ribcage. Kelly let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rockefeller blocks an uppercut.
Rockefeller has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kelly avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rockefeller blocks an uppercut.
Rockefeller tries to work over Kelly's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kelly tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rockefeller swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kelly.
Kelly lands a knee to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kelly lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rockefeller.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Rockefeller tries to throw a body punch but Kelly avoids it by throwing Rockefeller back against the cage.
Kelly tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rockefeller avoids it.
Kelly with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to George Kelly.
I think Kelly 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 46:49
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 46:49
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Kelly!
George Kelly is the new lightweight champion!
George Kelly thanked the fans post fight for their support.