PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Valentin Vang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Vang
vs
Kennedy

208 cm
24
279 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

200 cm
25
250 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Valentin Vang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Vang seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kennedy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vang tries to avoid it but Kennedy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vang to the ground. Vang escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vang tries to counter by clinching up but Kennedy breaks away and moves out of range.
Vang slaps away a takedown attempt from Kennedy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Valentin Vang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Kennedy.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kennedy is defended easily by Vang.
Kennedy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kennedy swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Vang counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Vang stays in close to Kennedy's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vang drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kennedy manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vang has Kennedy in his guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vang is looking to stand up but Kennedy isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy won't allow Vang to sweep him here.
Kennedy controlling from the top position.
Let's hope that Kennedy has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kennedy throws a big right hand that misses.
Vang wants to stand but Kennedy is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vang being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kennedy's jab looks to have found its range, popping Vang under the eye.

It looks like Valentin Vang has been cut.

Vang tries to sprawl but Kennedy drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kennedy prevents Vang from standing back up.
Kennedy content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kennedy lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kennedy looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Vang is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kennedy perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kennedy tries to pass the half guard into mount. Vang knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Well, if Kennedy is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kennedy looking to score a takedown here. Vang is defending well but Kennedy drives through and ends up in Vang's guard.
Kennedy looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Kennedy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Valentin Vang'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.

Kennedy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vang as he avoids it easily.
Vang changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nick Kennedy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kennedy darts in looking for a takedown but Vang gets double underhooks and turns Kennedy into the cage.
Vang displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kennedy.
Vang half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Valentin Vang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Kennedy.
Vang slips a jab from Kennedy.
Kennedy comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kennedy misses with a takedown attempt - Vang sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vang attempts a counter takedown but Kennedy avoids it well and moves away.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that Vang avoids nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kennedy shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kennedy throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vang tries to get to full guard but Kennedy has control of the leg.
Kennedy is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Vang looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kennedy is one step ahead there.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kennedy. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Kennedy stays in close to Vang's body and controls the position.
Vang keeping moving, preventing Kennedy from controlling successfully.
Kennedy stays in close to Vang's body and controls the position.

That's two 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.
Kennedy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vang works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Kennedy stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kennedy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As Kennedy tries to get set, Vang tries to push him back and clinch up but Kennedy manages to avoid the attempt.
Kennedy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Kennedy bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Vang! He dives into his guard looking to finish!

Vang is rocked!
Kennedy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kennedy sitting in guard here, content to control.
Oh Vang is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kennedy is continuing to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Kennedy.
Vang is looking to stand up but Kennedy isn't so interested in that idea.
Kennedy is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Vang seems to have got his legs back now.
Vang controls Kennedy momentarily but Kennedy frees himself.
Kennedy slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Vang wants to get back to his feet but Kennedy is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Vang wants to sweep here but Kennedy controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

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

Kennedy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Vang jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kennedy walks away with a smile on his face. Vang gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Good shot there by Kennedy.
Vang glances at the clock... BAM! Kennedy nails him with a big right hand! A momentary lapse in concentration sends Vang crashing to the mat! The referee steps in and this one is over! Damn, Vang is out of it, he thinks the ref is his opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Nick Kennedy!