PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keo Kalanie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Norbert Fortenberry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Kalanie
vs
Fortenberry

190 cm
19
214 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

188 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keo Kalanie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Norbert Fortenberry!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Josh West and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
A punch combination from Kalanie misses.
Keo Kalanie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Kalanie misses.
Fortenberry leaves Kalanie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kalanie with a lazy takedown attempt
and Fortenberry cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalanie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fortenberry tries to avoid it but Kalanie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fortenberry to the ground. Fortenberry escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fortenberry looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keo Kalanie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kalanie tries to clinch but Fortenberry is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalanie misses with a shot to the body
and Fortenberry counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kalanie tries to land a front kick but Fortenberry steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kalanie shoots in for a double leg but Fortenberry sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kalanie stalks Fortenberry and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Fortenberry's face. Fortenberry staggers backwards, shaken.
Kalanie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kalanie shoots in for a double leg but Fortenberry sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalanie moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kalanie fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fortenberry is out of range.
Kalanie throws the kick towards the body but Fortenberry avoids it.
Fortenberry avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kalanie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fortenberry moves away.
A little jabbing left from Fortenberry on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalanie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Fortenberry counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Kalanie shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fortenberry is looking for a sweep. Kalanie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kalanie has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Fortenberry is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kalanie's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kalanie's back!
Kalanie tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kalanie showing good submission defense here.

Fortenberry working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Kalanie just trying to survive but Fortenberry is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Fortenberry is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Kalanie knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Kalanie for a finish.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kalanie can't escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kalanie just trying to survive but Fortenberry is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Fortenberry is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Kalanie knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Kalanie for a finish.
Fortenberry controlling well, preventing Kalanie from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Norbert Fortenberry will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kalanie misses with a leg kick

and Fortenberry counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kalanie!

Fortenberry in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Kalanie is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Norbert Fortenberry!