PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alonzo Mourning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kinfe Kidane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mourning comes to the cage accompanied by Rising to the Top -- KRS One. Kidane comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Buraka Som Sistema - Kalemba (wegue wegue) kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Alonzo Mourning has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Mourning
vs
Kidane

210 cm
31
287 lbs
9 - 1 - 1

196 cm
28
261 lbs
10 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Alonzo Mourning!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kinfe Kidane!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kidane wants to clinch up but Mourning keeps it at a distance.
Kidane misses with the combination.
Mourning connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mourning lands with a kick to the temple. Kidane shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Mourning blocks a head kick by Kidane.

Kidane closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kidane stops a takedown attempt from Mourning.
Kidane tries to throw a body punch but Mourning avoids it by throwing Kidane back against the cage.
Kidane misses with a punch to the body.
Kidane is pressed up against the cage. Mourning has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kidane down to the mat. Kidane avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kidane tries to clinch
and Mourning counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mourning is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kidane sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alonzo Mourning. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kidane has managed to clinch.
Kidane lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kidane throws a punch but it's blocked by Mourning.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kidane.
Mourning wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kidane has him pressed against the cage.
Kidane blocks an uppercut.
Mourning throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kidanes head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kidane lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mourning backwards.

It looks like Alonzo Mourning has been cut.
Kidane can't find room to land a body shot as Mourning controls the action.
Kidane throws a punch but it's blocked by Mourning.
Mourning tries to pull guard but Kidane forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mourning's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A frustrated look appears on Mourning's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mourning lands a shot to the body.
Kidane tries a body shot but Mourning blocks it.
Mourning takes a shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mourning has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A shot in the inside from Kidane.
Mourning struggles to land a body shot inside as Kidane controls his hands.
Mourning controlling the action here for a moment.

Mourning breaks from the clinch.

Kidane clinches.
Kidane lands with a left to the head.
Kidane tries a body shot but Mourning blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kidane misses with some punches.
Mourning tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kidane with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kidane lands a left hand that snaps the head of Mourning backwards.
Kidane tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nice body punch from Mourning - that landed with a thud.
Mourning is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kidane is defending well for now.
Kidane has a couple of punches blocked by Mourning.
Mourning is trying to force a seperation but Kidane has the dominant position.
Mourning will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kidane up against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mourning seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Kidane is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Kidane tries to land a knee to the head but Mourning blocks with his arms.
Mourning blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mourning managing to block the knees to the body from Kidane.
Mourning prevents a body shot from Kidane.
Mourning struggles to land a body shot inside as Kidane controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kidane tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mourning blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kidane lands a left hand.
Mourning tries to pull guard but Kidane forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kidane throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mournings head.
Kidane misses with a punch on the inside.
Mourning wants to stall.
Kidane goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mourning wants a takedown but no success here.
Kidane lands a shoulder strike.
Kidane misses with a punch to the body.
Mourning misses with a punch to the body.

Mourning's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mourning throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mourning lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mourning throws the kick towards the body but Kidane avoids it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mourning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kidane throws a body punch but Mourning moves out of range.
Kidane fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mourning tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mourning throws a shot to the body.
Kinfe Kidane is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kidane lands with a hook. Mourning tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kidane fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mourning throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kidane moves out of range of the body kick from Mourning.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mourning. Kidane does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kidane misses with a wild combination.

Kidane clinches up against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kidane misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kidane lands with a left to the head.

Mourning breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kinfe Kidane will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alonzo Mourning's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mourning scores with a body shot.
Kinfe Kidane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kidane fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kidane moves in looking to clinch but Mourning pushes him off.
Kidane keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mourning.
Mourning takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kidane misses with a few strikes there.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Mourning.
Mourning scores with a head kick. Kidane tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Mourning throws a right hand that Kidane ducks under and follows up with a left that Kidane also avoids with ease.
Mourning lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kidane throws a hook but Mourning blocks it.
Alonzo Mourning is winning the standup battle so far.
Kidane rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mourning moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kidane moves in looking to clinch but Mourning pushes him off.

Kidane fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mourning, pushing him back against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kidane.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mourning will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kidane up against the cage.
Mourning tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kidane's elbow.
A shot in the inside from Mourning.
Mourning scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Mourning manages to pull guard.

Mourning throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kidane escapes and throws Mourning's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Mourning tries to improve position but can't.
Mourning tries to control but Kidane manages to take his back.
Mourning is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mourning can't escape the position.
Kidane not allowing Mourning to control his hands.
Mourning tries to roll but Kidane sticks to his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mourning tries to roll but Kidane sticks to his back.
Kidane controlling the position well here. Mourning rolled but Kidane kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Kidane throwing wild punches that miss their target.
I would not like to be Mourning right now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mourning rolls, trying to escape but Kidane keeps control of the position.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Kidane's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alonzo Mourning dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alonzo Mourning's cut.
That's time! Mourning's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kidane clinches with his opponent.
A right handed body shot lands from Kidane.

Mourning jumps guard and drags Kidane to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kidane wants to control from the top but Mourning keeps moving.
Kidane not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mourning keeping full guard, as Kidane tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mourning wants to sweep here but Kidane controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kidane stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mourning swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kidane is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kinfe Kidane wasn't active enough on the ground.
Kidane is looking to clinch.
Kidane loads up on a big right hand but Mourning slips the punch.
Mourning just misses with a punch to the body.
Kidane takes one to the side of the head.
Mourning shoots in but no luck this time.

Kidane clinches.
Kidane doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kidane as Mourning tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kidane is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Mourning pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mourning tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kidane was well out of range. Poor timing from Mourning.
Mourning throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mourning keeps the fight on the outside.
Kidane tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kidane swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mourning misses with a looping left.
Kidane slips a straight right by Mourning.
Mourning looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mourning swats away the attempt to clinch by Kidane.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kidane looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mourning scoring well with a low kick there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mourning lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Mourning throws a body kick that misses.
Kidane misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mourning connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kidane tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kidane takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kidane throws a series of punches but Mourning moves out of range.
Mourning throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kidane is looking to clinch but Mourning is avoiding it.
Mourning throws a head kick but Kidane moves out of range.
Mourning throws a wild body kick that Kidane sees coming a mile off.
Kidane bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mourning looks for the body kick but Kidane saw that one coming.
Mourning is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Mourning throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Mourning misses with a two punch combination.
Mourning looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kidane is looking to clinch.
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!
Kidane swinging wildly here.
Mourning swats away the attempt to clinch by Kidane.
Mourning misses with a low kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mourning misses with a head kick.
Kidane is looking to clinch.
Mourning dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alonzo Mourning.
I think Mourning has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alonzo Mourning!
A relieved looking Alonzo Mourning thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.