PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cu Chulainn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenneth Keats (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Chulainn might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Blood of Cu Chulainn. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Chulainn
vs
Keats

183 cm
23
190 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

181 cm
20
194 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cu Chulainn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenneth Keats!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Columbo Gatti and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keats shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Chulainn pinned against the cage. Chulainn gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Chulainn darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Keats blocking the ground and pound attempt from Chulainn.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Keats wants to get back to full guard.
Chulainn trying to control from half guard but Keats is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keats is looking for a sweep. Chulainn is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Chulainn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Chulainn thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Keats controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn lands strikes from half guard.
Keats is pressing down on Chulainn's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Keats manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chulainn manages to get himself to full guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Keats accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chulainn has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Keats is working Chulainn over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Keats preventing the sweep.
Keats working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Chulainn's head.
Keats postures up in Chulainn's guard and throws a big left but Chulainn blocks it.
Chulainn knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Keats on the ground.
Keats stopping the sweep attempt from Chulainn.
Keats working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Chulainn's head.
Keats working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Chulainn's head.
Keats working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Keats works over Chulainn with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keats is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Keats content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Chulainn wants to sweep but no luck.
Chulainn keeping moving, preventing Keats from controlling successfully.
Keats is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Chulainn wants to sweep here but Keats controlling him for the moment.
Keats postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Keats chips away with some ground and pound.
Keats with a flurry of punches that miss.
Chulainn wants to sweep here but Keats controlling him for the moment.
Keats has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn has momentary wrist control but Keats slips an elbow through the middle.
Keats postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Keats works over Chulainn with some ground and pound from guard.
Chulainn keeping moving, preventing Keats from controlling successfully.
Keats with a flurry of punches that miss.
Chulainn throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Keats with a nice head shot there.
Keats lands a couple of digs.
Keats preventing the sweep.
Keats trying to control the position from guard on top but Chulainn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chulainn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Keats throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Keats is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Chulainn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keats keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Keats is not content to let Chulainn control the position.
Chulainn prevents Keats from improving his position.
Keats is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Chulainn's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Chulainn's back!
Chulainn turns into Keats and is now in his guard.
Chulainn wants to control from the top but Keats keeps moving.
Chulainn content to stall in guard here.
Chulainn has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Keats is trying to control the position but Chulainn postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kenneth Keats will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Keats tries to sprawl but Chulainn drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Keats looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Chulainn content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Chulainn is trying to control. Keats wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Keats moves into full guard.
Keats looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chulainn is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keats working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn postures up in Keats's guard and throws a big left but Keats blocks it.
Keats is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Keats is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Chulainn trying to control but Keats is working from the bottom.
Chulainn working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Keats's head.
Chulainn postures up and lands a big shot to Keats's brow.
Chulainn trying to control the position from guard on top but Keats is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chulainn's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Keats is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Chulainn is aware though and is defending well.
Keats avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keats working a defensive guard here.
Chulainn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Chulainn is in close to Keats's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Keats wants to sweep here but Chulainn controlling him for the moment.
Chulainn sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Keats has his hands on Chulainn's head, controlling the position.
Keats preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Chulainn avoids a punch combination nicely.
Chulainn attempts a counter takedown but Keats avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Chulainn. No joy for Keats on that attempt.
Keats throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chulainn.

Chulainn throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Keats tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Chulainn is in Keats's guard.
Chulainn is looking to work some ground and pound but Keats has wrist control.
Chulainn throws a big right hand that misses.
Chulainn slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Keats not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Keats preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Keats is adopting a defensive guard.
Chulainn is working Keats over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keats looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Keats has momentary wrist control but Chulainn slips an elbow through the middle.
Chulainn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Chulainn postures up.
Chulainn works over Keats with some ground and pound from guard.
Chulainn throws an elbow that misses. Keats uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chulainn's guard. Nice move by Keats!

Keats postures up in Chulainn's guard and throws a big left but Chulainn blocks it.
Keats is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Keats wants to control from the top but Chulainn keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chulainn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Keats is looking to work some ground and pound but Chulainn has wrist control.
My spies in The Fortress inform me that Keats has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Keats passes Chulainn's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Keats working over Chulainn with some ground and pound. Chulainn looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cu Chulainn dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Keats lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chulainn circles away quickly and effectively.

Chulainn shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Chulainn thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Keats's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Keats looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Chulainn trying to control the action but Keats is working from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Keats manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Chulainn is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keats looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chulainn is one step ahead there.
Chulainn looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Keats is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Chulainn looking to pass the guard.
Chulainn throwing strikes but missing.

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.
Chulainn trying to control but Keats is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Keats looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Chulainn closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Keats to the mat! Keats manages to get full guard.
Chulainn stopping the sweep attempt from Keats.
Keats controls Chulainn momentarily but Chulainn frees himself.
Keats controlling Chulainn's posture.
Chulainn throws a big right hand that misses.
Chulainn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keats is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Keats has his hands on Chulainn's head, controlling the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Keats preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Keats is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sloppy strikes from Keats. Those never looked like landing.
Sloppy strikes from Keats. Those never looked like landing.
Keats gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Chulainn.

Chulainn gets the takedown into side control.
Chulainn is chipping away with strikes.
Chulainn working away.
Keats manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Chulainn is thwarting Keats's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn controlling the action here.
Keats keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Chulainn throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Chulainn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Keats can do to turn this around?
Chulainn lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Chulainn throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Keats to regain full guard.
Keats looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Keats looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chulainn is one step ahead there.
Keats keeping moving, preventing Chulainn from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cu Chulainn showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Chulainn 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cu Chulainn!
Cu Chulainn very nearly forgot to thank AnonymouS amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.