PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Floyd Keller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timmy Eckenrode (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Keller
vs
Eckenrode

217 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

175 cm
21
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Floyd Keller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Timmy Eckenrode!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jonathan Paton and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eckenrode avoids the head kick by Keller.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Eckenrode.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Keller is looking to regain half guard here but Eckenrode keeps moving and retains side control.
Eckenrode postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Keller is trying to improve his position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Eckenrode decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Keller really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Eckenrode rushes Keller and presses him up against the cage.
Keller is trying to force a seperation but Eckenrode has the dominant position.
Keller tries to land knees in the clinch but Eckenrode avoids the damage to the body.

Eckenrode drags the fight down to the ground.

Keller got a little sloppy there for a moment and Eckenrode has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Keller has managed to get both his arms back between Eckenrode's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckenrode throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Keller throwing strikes from guard but Eckenrode blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Eckenrode tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Eckenrode has his foot on Keller's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Keller works his way back into a safe position though.
Eckenrode is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Keller is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Keller slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keller looking for a sweep. Not yet Keller, not yet.
Eckenrode with a flurry of punches that miss.
Eckenrode stopping the sweep attempt from Keller.
Eckenrode is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Eckenrode stands and steps away. Keller gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Eckenrode pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Keller back to the cage. Eckenrode follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Keller is rocked!

It looks like Floyd Keller has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Eckenrode fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Keller to the ground. Eckenrode is now in Keller's guard.
Oh Keller is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Eckenrode won't allow Keller to sweep him here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Eckenrode postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Keller can't keep his opponent in guard - Eckenrode advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Eckenrode seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Eckenrode missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Eckenrode controlling the pace.
Eckenrode moves into full mount! Keller won't be happy about that!
Keller really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Keller is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Eckenrode is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Keller can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Eckenrode postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Keller looks a forlorn figure.

Eckenrode with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Eckenrode controlling his opponent.
Keller holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Eckenrode tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Eckenrode looking to secure an arm triangle but Keller defends it well.
Eckenrode controlling the pace for now.
Keller holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Eckenrode tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Eckenrode misses with a head shot.
Keller can't escape the position.
Eckenrode controlling from the full mount.
Keller regains half guard.
Keller is pressing down on Eckenrode's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
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!
Eckenrode is working Keller over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Eckenrode in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Keller will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Eckenrode stands up and waves to Keller to follow him.
Timmy Eckenrode seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keller fails in his attempt to clinch.
A punch combination from Eckenrode misses.

Eckenrode fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Keller sprawls well initially but Eckenrode persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Keller wants to get back to full guard.

Eckenrode is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Keller is just riding it out for now. Eckenrode eventually gives up the hold.
Keller wants to improve his position but Eckenrode is controlling well.
Keller seems to have got his legs back now.

Eckenrode decides to stand up.

Eckenrode drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Keller is looking for a sweep.
Eckenrode controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timmy Eckenrode dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Floyd Keller'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.

Eckenrode fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Keller to the ground. Eckenrode is now in Keller's guard.

Keller has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Eckenrode can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Eckenrode gets to his feet. Keller looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Keller gets caught flat footed, as Eckenrode shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Eckenrode decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Keller, up you get!
Keller pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Eckenrode changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Keller looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Eckenrode wants to control but Keller is keeping him busy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Eckenrode decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eckenrode forces Keller back against the cage and clinches.

Eckenrode decides to pull guard.
Keller with a flurry of punches that miss.
Eckenrode is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Keller wants to stand but Eckenrode has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Eckenrode working for a triangle but Keller defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eckenrode trying to control the position.
Eckenrode thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Keller won't allow Eckenrode to sweep him here.
Eckenrode is striking off his back. Keller thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Eckenrode has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Eckenrode looking for submissions off his back.
Keller tries to stand and escape but Eckenrode is controlling the position.
Eckenrode tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Eckenrode kicks off Keller and gets to his feet.

Eckenrode shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Keller manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Keller escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Eckenrode gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Eckenrode gets to his feet. Keller looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Eckenrode feints and as Keller raises his hands in defense, Eckenrode changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
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!
Eckenrode throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Eckenrode slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Keller tries to buck Eckenrode off but Eckenrode is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eckenrode works to advance to full mount. Keller defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timmy Eckenrode showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Floyd Keller's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Keller walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Eckenrode lands the left hand.
Eckenrode misses with a kick to the body.

Eckenrode closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Keller's guard.

Keller has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Eckenrode is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Keller.
Keller wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Eckenrode wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Keller, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Keller's face as Eckenrode controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eckenrode decides to stand up, so the ref orders Keller to his feet.

Eckenrode shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Keller napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Timmy Eckenrode has got the better of the ground game so far.
Keller sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Eckenrode slows the pace down in half guard.

Eckenrode decides to stand up.
Eckenrode tries to land a body kick
and Keller counters with a head kick. That will keep Eckenrode thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Eckenrode pushes Keller up against the cage in a clinch.

Eckenrode pulls guard successfully.
Eckenrode has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Eckenrode avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Keller decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Eckenrode moves into the clinch.

Eckenrode jumps guard.
Eckenrode looking to hit a scissor sweep but Keller is one step ahead there.
Keller would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Eckenrode is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Keller in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Eckenrode controls Keller momentarily but Keller frees himself.
Eckenrode controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Eckenrode looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Eckenrode can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Keller controls the pace.

Eckenrode looking for a guillotine here but Keller defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Keller accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Timmy Eckenrode comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Eckenrode has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timmy Eckenrode!