PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between John Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Eckstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kennedy comes into the arena with Frank Zappa - Echidna's Arf (Of You) blaring out of the sound system. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Kennedy
vs
Eckstein

190 cm
36
220 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

196 cm
32
212 lbs
25 - 13 - 1

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Granite chin

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jason Eckstein!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eckstein throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Kennedy to counter with a crisp jab.
Kennedy connects with a single shot there.
A big right from Eckstein misses.
Eckstein cracks Kennedy with a good jab.
A jab from Kennedy misses.

Kennedy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Kennedy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Eckstein has Kennedy pressed against the ropes, preventing Kennedy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Eckstein misses with a punch on the inside.
A short left from Eckstein.
Kennedy prevents a body shot from Eckstein.
Nice elbow from Kennedy.
Still in the clinch, Eckstein scores with a nice short uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kennedy is looking to control Eckstein's arms but Eckstein gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kennedy has his back to the ropes.
Kennedy wants to stall.
Maybe Kennedy would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Kennedy managing to block the knees to the body from Eckstein.
Kennedy throws an elbow but it misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Kennedy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckstein is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Eckstein lands a right hand.
Eckstein is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Eckstein lands a hook that snaps the head of Kennedy backwards.

Eckstein's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kennedy takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kennedy throws a sloppy head kick and Eckstein moves out of range easily.
Eckstein throws a front kick that sends Kennedy stumbling back into the ropes.
Jason Eckstein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slapping leg kick lands for Eckstein.
Eckstein misses with an uppercut.
Kennedy stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Eckstein.
Eckstein misses with a kick to the body.
It looked like Kennedy was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Eckstein.
Kennedy moves out of range of the strikes.
Some bone on bone action there as Kennedy checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kennedy seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eckstein misses with a hook.
A jab from Eckstein misses.
Kennedy is looking to counter with head kicks.
Kennedy moves away from the strike by Eckstein.
A little feinted left hand from Kennedy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Eckstein pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big left from Kennedy misses.
Eckstein lands with a straight right. Kennedy didn't see that one coming.
Kennedy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Eckstein moves away.
Eckstein now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Eckstein throws a low kick, looking for Kennedy's leg but Kennedy calmly moves out of range.
It appears Kennedy was looking to counter with a kick there.
Eckstein throws a body punch but Kennedy moves out of range.
Eckstein throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kennedy gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Eckstein lands an overhand right.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kennedy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Eckstein.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Eckstein, right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Eckstein 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.

Eckstein scores with a leg kick.
Kennedy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Eckstein was well out of range. Poor timing from Kennedy.
Eckstein steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kennedy.
Eckstein fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Eckstein takes a swing at Kennedy's ribcage but misses.
Kennedy misses with a two punch combination.
Kennedy tries to move into range but Eckstein moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Eckstein throws a hook but Kennedy avoids it easily.
Kennedy throwing a counter right hand but Eckstein manages to avoid it.
Eckstein plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Eckstein throws the kick towards the body but Kennedy avoids it.
A good leg kick by Eckstein.
Jason Eckstein seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Eckstein misses with a wild body shot.
Kennedy is looking for a counter combo.
Nice straight punches there by Kennedy. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kennedy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kennedy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Eckstein paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kennedy misses with a head kick.
Eckstein has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckstein misses with a low kick.
Eckstein swings widly with a right hand
and Kennedy counters with a nice uppercut.
Kennedy doesn't manage to clinch there - Eckstein circles away.
Kennedy keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Eckstein looks to land a right hand but Kennedy moved out of range.
Eckstein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kennedy was well out of range. Poor timing from Eckstein.
Eckstein throws a jab when Kennedy was well out of range.
It looked like Kennedy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Eckstein connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Eckstein moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kennedy throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Eckstein lands the left hand.
Kennedy digs a good hook to Eckstein's body.
Eckstein scores with a leg kick.
Eckstein misses with a hook. Kennedy ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eckstein throws a big shot that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kennedy has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Eckstein.
Jab from Eckstein.
A jab from Eckstein misses.
Eckstein throws a hook but Kennedy blocks it.
Kennedy moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kennedy chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Eckstein can pounce on him.
A low kick from Eckstein is predictable there
and Kennedy counters with a good, hard body kick but Eckstein shrugs it off.
A good leg kick by Eckstein.
Kennedy keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Kennedy misses the target.
A head kick misses from Eckstein.
Eckstein throws a hook to the side of Kennedy's head but Kennedy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kennedy tries to clinch up.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Eckstein! But no joy.
Kennedy lunges at Eckstein with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Eckstein's hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Eckstein 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!

Eckstein fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kennedy has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kennedy tries to close the distance and clinch but Eckstein swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Eckstein looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kennedy walks into a jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Eckstein.
A head kick misses from Kennedy.
Eckstein dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kennedy. That did some damage!
A telegraphed right hand from Kennedy misses the target.
Eckstein scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kennedy tries to work over Eckstein's front leg with a kick but Eckstein checks it.
Eckstein wants to land a leg kick but Kennedy is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eckstein connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kennedy. Kennedy circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Eckstein takes a kick to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Eckstein.
Nice shot by Eckstein.
Eckstein tries to land a leg kick but Kennedy saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckstein scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Eckstein tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Eckstein misses with a leg kick.
A quick step to the side and Kennedy tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Eckstein lands the left hand.
Eckstein throws a good cross that connects.
Eckstein loads up on a big right hand but Kennedy slips the punch.
Kennedy takes one on the button.
Eckstein misses with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Eckstein. Kennedy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kennedy takes one to the side of the head.
Eckstein tried to score with a low kick but Kennedy checks it.
Eckstein throws a hook but Kennedy blocks it.
Nice body punch from Eckstein.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Eckstein misses
and Kennedy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Eckstein buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kennedy scores with a three punch combo!
Kennedy tries to close the distance and clinch but Eckstein swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Eckstein walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kennedy checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Eckstein throws a right hand that misses
and Kennedy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Eckstein scoring well with a low kick there.
Eckstein misses with a low kick.
Eckstein throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kennedy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Eckstein throws out the jab.
Kennedy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kennedy is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kennedy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kennedy blocks a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Kennedy misses the target.
Eckstein cracks the inside of Kennedy's front leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Eckstein really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kennedy checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Eckstein scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Eckstein chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kennedy slips under a jab.
Eckstein throws out a leg kick but Kennedy moves out of range and Eckstein only half commits.
Kennedy looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Eckstein feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kennedys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Eckstein looks to land a right hand but Kennedy moved out of range.
Eckstein swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kennedy.
Nice cross by Eckstein.
Eckstein gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Kennedy counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eckstein moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Eckstein swings for the body but Kennedy moves out of range.
Eckstein scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Eckstein throws a low kick, looking for Kennedy's leg but Kennedy calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Eckstein.
Eckstein swings widly with a right hand
and Kennedy counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kennedy throws a body punch but Eckstein moves out of range.
Eckstein fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Eckstein circles away from the clinch attempt.
Eckstein throws the kick towards the body but Kennedy avoids it.
Kennedy tries to clinch but Eckstein is having none of it.
Kennedy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Eckstein manages to avoid it.
Kennedy blocks a leg kick.
Eckstein misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kennedy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kennedy tries to clinch up.
Eckstein lands a jab to the nose.
Eckstein attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kennedy throwing a counter right hand but Eckstein manages to avoid it.
Eckstein misses with a right hand
and Kennedy counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy throws a body shot but no joy.
Eckstein is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Eckstein dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kennedy. That did some damage!
The fight stays on the outside here - Kennedy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Eckstein lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kennedy takes a step back to recover.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kennedy slips under a jab from Eckstein.
Kennedy throwing a counter right hand but Eckstein manages to avoid it.
A jab from Eckstein misses.
Kennedy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Eckstein was well out of range. Poor timing from Kennedy.
Eckstein moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Eckstein looks to score with a jab to the body but Kennedy is just out of range.
Kennedy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Eckstein throws an overhand right that lands on Kennedy's shoulder, as Kennedy tries to avoid the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Eckstein dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kennedy is looking to chop away at Eckstein's legs.
Eckstein throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Eckstein.
Kennedy keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kennedy tries to clinch but Eckstein moves out of range.
Kennedy's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Nice body punch from Eckstein.
Good leg kick by Eckstein there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Eckstein thuds his right hand into Kennedy's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Eckstein misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Eckstein lands with a thumping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eckstein takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kennedy fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Eckstein looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kennedy takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A low kick from Eckstein is predictable there
and Kennedy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckstein lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Eckstein circles away from the clinch attempt.
A swing and a miss from Eckstein.
Eckstein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Eckstein, right into the meat.
An inside leg kick lands from Eckstein.
Jason Eckstein is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Eckstein throws a hook to the side of Kennedy's head but Kennedy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kennedy scores with a hook.
Eckstein throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kennedy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Kennedy instigates a clinch.
Kennedy pushes off an throws an elbow but Eckstein leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
John Kennedy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eckstein takes an elbow to the forehead.
Eckstein lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kennedy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Eckstein backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kennedy lands an uppercut.
Kennedy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Eckstein lands a damaging elbow.
Eckstein blocks an elbow strike from Kennedy.
Kennedy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Eckstein breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Eckstein's corner calls for a 1-2. Eckstein obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Eckstein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd cheers as Kennedy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Eckstein doesn't seem phased though.
Kennedy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Eckstein.
Eckstein slips under a jab from Kennedy.
Eckstein lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kennedy's sensitive parts.
Eckstein misses with a straight left.
A head kick misses from Kennedy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Eckstein comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Eckstein 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 45:50
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 45:50
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Eckstein!
Jason Eckstein bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.