PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rodney Carney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalani Kapena (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Carney
vs
Kapena

180 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rodney Carney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kalani Kapena!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Kapena misses the target.
Kapena lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kapena stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kapena fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Carney takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kapena catches Carney with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kalani Kapena seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carney drops his hands momentarily and Kapena takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Kapena as he connects with a hook.
Kapena will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kapena works the jab nicely.
Kapena closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kapena bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Carney takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kapena lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kapena is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Carney had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

Kapena gets caught napping as Carney dives in and scores a takedown. Kapena manages to retain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kapena keeping moving, preventing Carney from controlling successfully.
Kapena controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carney trying to control the position from guard on top but Kapena is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carney is looking to work some ground and pound but Kapena has wrist control.
Carney postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Carney postures up in Kapena's guard and throws a big left but Kapena blocks it.
Carney has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Carney stands and throws Kapena's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Carney wants to control but Kapena is keeping him busy.

Carney looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kapena really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Carney. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kapena struggling a bit here.
Carney working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Carney wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kapena keeps working.
Carney misses with the ground and pound.
Carney trying to control the action but Kapena is working from the bottom.
Carney lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kapena down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carney is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Kapena is trying to escape and Carney transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Kapena is forced to tap! Nice work there by Carney! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rodney Carney!