PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sean Kelleher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Rico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnny Rico will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Kelleher
vs
Rico

186 cm
22
212 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

201 cm
22
265 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sean Kelleher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Rico!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rico drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rico lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rico pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kelleher is keeping the position for now.
Rico working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Rico throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kelleher works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rico trying to control but Kelleher is working from the bottom.
Rico throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Rico decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kelleher, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rico doesn't manage to clinch there - Kelleher circles away.
Kelleher defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rico.
Kelleher was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kelleher missing with a left hand there. Rico was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rico has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kelleher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rico tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Kelleher manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rico lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kelleher will feel that in the morning.
Kelleher circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice cross by Kelleher.
Rico tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kelleher sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rico somewhat.
It looked like Kelleher wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rico takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Rico darts in and clinches Kelleher up against the ropes.
Rico lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rico scores with a shot to the side of Kelleher's head.
Rico can't find room to land a body shot as Kelleher controls the action.
Rico can't find room to land a body shot as Kelleher controls the action.
Kelleher displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rico up against the ropes.
Kelleher has Rico pressed against the ropes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kelleher tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rico lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rico misses with some punches.
Kelleher is stalling here.
Rico lands with a left to the head.
A hook to the body from Rico.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelleher is trying to break the clinch but Rico has him pressed against the ropes.
Rico throws an elbow but it misses.
Rico trying to stall but Kelleher improves his position.
Rico gets through Kelleher's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rico misses with an elbow over the top.
Kelleher tries a body shot but Rico blocks it.
Rico struggles to land a body shot inside as Kelleher controls his hands.
Kelleher avoids a wild elbow strike from Rico.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rico.
Rico misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rico creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kelleher avoids the elbow strike from Rico, against the ropes.
Rico misses with a body punch.
Rico struggles to land a body shot inside as Kelleher controls his hands.
Kelleher wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Rico as the two fighters clinch.
Kelleher gets through Rico's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Rico.
Kelleher is breathing heavily.
Rico effectively controlling the action here.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Rico throws an elbow but misses.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Rico creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kelleher lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rico backwards.
Rico lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rico tries to throw a body punch but Kelleher avoids it by throwing Rico back against the ropes.
Rico misses with an elbow strike.
Rico swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rico effectively controlling the action here.
A short right from Kelleher on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Rico dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rico bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Rico goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kelleher rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rico's guard! Nice work there by Kelleher!
Rico manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kelleher manages to get himself to full guard.

Kelleher utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rico stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kelleher swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rico loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rico trying to control the position from guard on top but Kelleher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rico seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Rico wants to control from the top but Kelleher keeps moving.
Rico throwing strikes from guard but Kelleher blocks nicely.
Rico showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rico trying to control the position from guard on top but Kelleher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Kelleher gets caught napping as Rico dives in and scores a takedown. Kelleher manages to retain guard.
Rico trying to control the position from guard on top but Kelleher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rico controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rico wants to control from the top but Kelleher keeps moving.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rico postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rico wants to control from the top but Kelleher keeps moving.
Kelleher is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kelleher defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rico.
Rico is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kelleher sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kelleher is looking to counter with head kicks.

Rico closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Rico has a couple of punches blocked by Kelleher.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rico.
Rico has Kelleher pressed against the ropes, preventing Kelleher from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rico has Kelleher pressed against the ropes, preventing Kelleher from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rico working aggressively here.
Rico lands an elbow inside that Kelleher shrugs off.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rico goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rico trying to land knees to the body.
Kelleher is trying to break the clinch but Rico has him pressed against the ropes.
Kelleher scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Rico showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kelleher throws a head kick but Rico moves out of range.
Rico tries to clinch but Kelleher is having none of it.
Rico is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rico tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Kelleher paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rico tries to clinch up.
A little feinted left hand from Kelleher on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rico ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rico fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kelleher has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rico misses with a takedown attempt - Kelleher sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rico has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A telegraphed right hand from Kelleher misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rico fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rico stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kelleher.
Kelleher swings widly with a right hand
and Rico counters with an outside leg kick.
Rico shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rico scores with a nice strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rico is looking to clinch but Kelleher is avoiding it.
Rico connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sean Kelleher is winning the standup battle so far.
Kelleher checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kelleher throws a big shot that misses.
A lazy left from Kelleher finds it's target.
Kelleher swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rico.
Kelleher misses with a lunging right hand
and Rico counters with a solid body kick.
A jab from Kelleher misses.
Rico slips under a jab from Kelleher.
Kelleher circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kelleher avoids a kick to the body.

Rico closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kelleher is trying to stand up here but Rico is controlling him well.
Kelleher might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rico is pressing down on Kelleher's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kelleher is holding on for now.
Sean Kelleher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kelleher knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rico on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rico wants to control but Kelleher is keeping him busy.
Rico looks to land a strike but Kelleher avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Rico looking to pass the guard.

Rico stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rico checks a leg kick.
Johnny Rico is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
We've been told by Kelleher's head coaches at LOD: Contenders that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Rico fails in his attempt to clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Kelleher on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rico avoids the body shot from Kelleher.
Rico tries to clinch up but Kelleher circles away and keeps his distance.

Rico takes the fight into the clinch.
Rico misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelleher misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rico goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rico scores with a shot to the side of Kelleher's head.
Rico throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rico lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rico lands a right hand.
Rico cracks Kelleher with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kelleher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rico clinches up against the ropes.
Rico throws a punch but it's blocked by Kelleher.
Rico struggles to land a body shot inside as Kelleher controls his hands.
Rico misses with some punches.
Rico throws an elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kelleher tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kelleher is trying to maintain a safe position but Rico gets an underhook and turns Kelleher into the ropes.
Rico misses with an elbow over the top.
Rico lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch on the inside from Rico fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rico.
Rico throws an elbow that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rico lands a body shot.
Kelleher taking a breather.
Rico tries a body shot but Kelleher blocks it.
Rico is leaning against Kelleher and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Rico.
Rico lands an elbow inside that Kelleher shrugs off.
Still in the clinch, Rico scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rico doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rico lands a shoulder strike.

Kelleher is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Rico comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rico winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Rico!
After winning the bout, Johnny Rico thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.