PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Silik Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heng Keo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunt comes into the arena with London Calling blaring out of the sound system. Keo is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Ich Will - Rammstein. 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?

Hunt
vs
Keo

175 cm
37
154 lbs
31 - 28 - 0

173 cm
38
157 lbs
20 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Silik Hunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Heng Keo!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunt tries to close the distance and clinch up but Keo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Keo stuffs the takedown.
Keo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Keo has managed to clinch.
Keo is looking for a takedown.
Keo misses with some punches.
Hunt prevents a takedown attempt there.

Hunt pulls guard effortlessly.
Hunt has control of Keo's left arm, preventing Keo from doing any damage.
We've been hearing good reports from Hunt's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Hunt thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keo wants to pass the guard but Hunt is keeping the position.
Hunt is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hunt working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keo landing with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Keo trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hunt's head.
Hunt pulls Keo in close to prevent any damage.
Keo wants to control from the top but Hunt keeps moving.
Keo looking to pass the guard.
Hunt keeping moving, preventing Keo from controlling successfully.

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.
Hunt not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Keo trying to control but Hunt is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Keo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hunt counters with a three punch combo that has Keo backing up. Keo nods at Hunt to acknowledge the strikes.
Keo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Keo slaps away a takedown attempt from Hunt, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hunt dives in for a single leg takedown but Keo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Silik Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunt shoots in for a double leg but Keo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Keo tries to clinch but Hunt moves out of range.
Keo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hunt paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Keo wants to clinch up but Hunt keeps it at a distance.

Keo clinches up against the cage.
Keo is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Hunt manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt doesn't manage to clinch there - Keo circles away.
Keo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hunt is looking to counter the offense by Keo and move into the clinch.
Keo wants to clinch.
Keo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Keo doesn't manage to clinch there - Hunt circles away.
Heng Keo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hunt moves out of range of the body kick.
Keo tries a head kick but it misses.

Keo forces Hunt back against the cage and clinches.
Hunt tries to pull guard but Keo won't allow it.
Hunt can't get the takedown.
Keo lands a body shot.
Keo has Hunt pressed against the cage, preventing Hunt from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Keo gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Hunt regains guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt wants to stand but Keo is controlling the position.
Keo with a flurry of punches that miss.

Hunt is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hunt working a defensive guard here.
Hunt can't keep his opponent in guard - Keo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Keo prevents Hunt from improving his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hunt trying to control from the bottom.
Hunt moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heng Keo dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Keo tries to bum rush Hunt with a series of wild strikes but Hunt uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fight stays on the outside here - Keo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Keo tries a head kick but it misses.
Keo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Keo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hunt paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Keo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hunt as Keo tries to tie him up.
Hunt lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Keo has clasped his hands together around Hunt's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Keo working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Hunt tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Keo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Keo misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Keo tries for a kimura but Hunt is defending well.
Hunt tries to buck Keo off but Keo is having none of it.

Keo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hunt is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Keo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hunt, who protects the arm well.
Keo working the body and head with strikes.

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.

Keo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Keo swings around for an armbar but Hunt sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Keo's guard.
Hunt is looking to stand up but Keo won't let him.
Hunt stays in close to Keo's body and controls the position.

Keo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hunt defends well.

Hunt gets to his feet. Keo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Hunt is looking to clinch.
Keo raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt goes for a double leg but Keo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Keo continues to drive forward.
Keo misses with an uppercut
and Hunt counters with a three punch combo that has Keo backing up. Keo nods at Hunt to acknowledge the strikes.
Keo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Keo wants it to stay on the feet.
Keo moves in looking to clinch but Hunt pushes him off.
A quick step to the side and Hunt tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Keo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hunt, pushing him back against the cage.
Keo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hunt after a bit of a struggle.
Keo tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hunt with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hunt is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Keo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Silik Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunt leaning his opponent against the cage.
Keo scores with a shoulder strike.
Hunt is trying to drag Keo to the mat but Keo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hunt misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hunt lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hunt blocking some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Keo controlling the action here for a moment.
Keo tries to work over Hunt's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hunt goes for a takedown in the clinch but Keo prevents it.
Heng Keo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Keo tries for a takedown but Hunt manages to get underhooks.
Hunt drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Keo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A short uppercut from Keo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heng Keo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hunt.
Keo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hunt clinches up against the cage.
Keo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hunt backwards.
Keo being controlled against the cage.
Hunt jumps guard but Keo stands there with Hunt around his waist. Hunt gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Keo is pressed up against the cage. Hunt has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Keo down to the mat. Keo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Keo pushes Hunt up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Silik Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Keo tries to score a body lock takedown but Hunt shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Keo gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Keo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Keo trying to control from half guard but Hunt is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt wants to control but Keo is keeping busy.
Keo thows a huge punch but Hunt dodges it nicely.

Keo wants to work for an arm triangle but Hunt is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Keo is looking for a kimura here.
Hunt is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two 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.
Hunt wants to get back to his feet.

Keo is working for a kimura but Hunt is defending it quite comfortably.
Keo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hunt defending well though.
Nice strikes from Keo there.
Hunt is looking to control Keo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hunt avoid being mounted?
Keo not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt is looking to escape.
Nice strikes from Keo there.
Hunt keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hunt is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Keo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Keo's back!

Hunt seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Keo's chin but Keo turns very nicely into Hunt's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Keo.
Hunt is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Keo is controlling him.

Keo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hunt dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Keo working for a triangle but Hunt defends it easily.
Keo wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Hunt is now in half guard.
Hunt is looking to take a break and control but Keo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hunt throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Silik Hunt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hunt not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Heng Keo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Keo 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

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