PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight kickboxing rules bout between Luther Kelly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Somporn Payakaroon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kelly
vs
Payakaroon

183 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
173 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Luther Kelly!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Somporn Payakaroon!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kelly throws a poor cross that misses

and Payakaroon counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Payakaroon.
Payakaroon misses with a punch to the body.

Payakaroon breaks the clinch.
Kelly throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Payakaroon checks a low kick from Kelly.
Payakaroon fails to land with a series of punches.
Payakaroon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kelly lands a nice hook to Payakaroon's body. Payakaroon takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Payakaroon tries to close the distance and clinch but Kelly swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Payakaroon uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kelly.

Payakaroon has managed to clinch.
Kelly lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Payakaroon breaks the clinch.
Payakaroon throws a right and a left that Kelly avoids nicely.
Payakaroon moves out of range of the body kick.
Payakaroon takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Payakaroon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kelly lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payakaroon takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kelly scores with the left hand. Payakaroon knows he should have avoided that one.
Payakaroon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A big right from Kelly misses.
Kelly scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Payakaroon doesn't seem bothered though.
Kelly swings for the body but Payakaroon moves out of range.
Kelly thuds his right hand into Payakaroon's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Payakaroon blocks a low kick nicely.
Kelly throws a right and a left that both miss.
Payakaroon is looking to land body kicks.
Payakaroon misses with a head kick.
Kelly waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Payakaroon.
Payakaroon raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Kelly scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Payakaroon tries to clinch but Kelly moves out of range.
Kelly looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

Payakaroon gets a clinch.

Payakaroon breaks the clinch.
Kelly looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Payakaroon closes the distance and clinches.
Payakaroon looking to stall.
Kelly missing with knees to the body.

Payakaroon breaks the clinch.
Kelly rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Payakaroon moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kelly throws a body punch but Payakaroon moves out of range.
Luther Kelly seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kelly lands a jab to the head.
Payakaroon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kelly moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Donk. Kelly catches Payakaroon right on the button with a cross.

Payakaroon moves into range and clinches up with Kelly.
Kelly misses with the head strike.
Kelly is working Payakaroon over against the ropes.

Payakaroon manages to break the clinch.
Kelly cracks Payakaroon with a right hand to the side of the head.
Luther Kelly is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelly walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Payakaroon checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Payakaroon tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kelly connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kelly tried to score with a low kick but Payakaroon checks it.
Payakaroon wants to counter with a clinch but Kelly pushes him away.
Kelly's jab looks to have found its range, popping Payakaroon under the eye.
A big right from Kelly misses.
Payakaroon throws the kick towards the body but Kelly avoids it.
Payakaroon misses with a wild body shot.
Kelly lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Payakaroon blocks a jab.
Kelly throws a big shot that misses.
Payakaroon is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kelly pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kelly is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Kelly takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kelly throws out a loose jab but Payakaroon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Payakaroon is looking for the big counter here.
Kelly uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Payakaroon.
Kelly looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Payakaroon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kelly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kelly lands a nice hook to Payakaroon's body. Payakaroon takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Payakaroon avoids the body shot from Kelly.
Kelly is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Payakaroon.
Some bone on bone action there as Payakaroon checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Payakaroon darts in and clinches Kelly up against the ropes.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kelly being controlled against the ropes.

Payakaroon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Good standup being displayed there by Kelly as he connects with a hook.
Kelly blocks a head kick by Payakaroon.
Kelly loads up on a big right hand but Payakaroon slips the punch.
Payakaroon moves in looking to clinch but Kelly pushes him off.
Kelly attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luther Kelly dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fight stays on the outside here - Payakaroon looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kelly looks to throw the jab but Payakaroon is out of range.
Kelly throws a hook but Payakaroon blocks it.
Payakaroon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Payakaroon takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Payakaroon moves into range and clinches up with Kelly.
Kelly wants to break free but Payakaroon has control.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kelly.
Payakaroon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kelly misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Payakaroon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A slow jab from Kelly misses its intended target.
As Kelly backs off Payakaroon throws a huge counter combo but Kelly manages to avoid it all.
Kelly will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Luther Kelly is winning the standup battle so far.
Kelly throws a shot to the body.
Kelly's jab looks to have found its range, popping Payakaroon under the eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Payakaroon.
Somporn Payakaroon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Payakaroon throws a head kick that misses.
Kelly keeps the fight on the outside.
Payakaroon tries to clinch up but Kelly circles away and keeps his distance.
Payakaroon shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Payakaroon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Payakaroon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kelly lands with a right hand.
Kelly throws a shot from downtown. Payakaroon moves away and avoids it.
Kelly throws a leg kick that misses.
Payakaroon tries to move into range but Kelly moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Payakaroon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Payakaroon.
Payakaroon tries to land a front kick but Kelly steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Donk. Kelly catches Payakaroon right on the button with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Payakaroon was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kelly lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kelly tries to bum rush Payakaroon with a series of wild strikes but Payakaroon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Payakaroon tries a head kick but it misses.
A leg kick checked by Payakaroon.
Kelly throws a leg kick but Payakaroon checks it.
Payakaroon tries to clinch but Kelly is having none of it.
Payakaroon throws a head kick but Kelly moves out of range.

Payakaroon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kelly blocks a body shot from Payakaroon.
Payakaroon misses with a knee to the head.

Payakaroon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kelly's jab looks to have found its range, popping Payakaroon under the eye.
Kelly lands with an uppercut that bounces Payakaroon off the ropes and back into range.
A combination from Payakaroon does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelly does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Payakaroon checks a low kick from Kelly.
Payakaroon steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kelly.
Payakaroon throws a lazy right hand but Kelly sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Kelly misses the target.
Payakaroon wants to clinch up but Kelly keeps it at a distance.
A big right from Kelly misses.
Kelly swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kelly throws a body punch but Payakaroon moves out of range.
Payakaroon goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kelly throws a low kick but Payakaroon moves out of range easily.
Payakaroon chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kelly can pounce on him.
Payakaroon throws a body kick that misses.
Kelly takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Payakaroon takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kelly swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Payakaroon throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kelly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon throws a sloppy head kick and Kelly moves out of range easily.
Kelly fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kelly finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kelly throws a front kick aimed at Payakaroon's knee but Payakaroon avoids it well.
Payakaroon wants to counter with a clinch but Kelly pushes him away.
Payakaroon keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kelly.
Payakaroon takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
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!
Payakaroon misses with a double jab.
Payakaroon throws a body shot but no joy.
Kelly throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Payakaroon scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Payakaroon clinches.
Kelly working hard to break the clinch.
Kelly letting Payakaroon take a breather here.
Payakaroon trying to control the position but instead, Kelly has worked for underhooks and has pushed Payakaroon into the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luther Kelly dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Payakaroon fails in his attempt to clinch.
As Payakaroon backs away, Kelly returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Payakaroon gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kelly.

Payakaroon rushes Kelly and presses him up against the ropes.
Payakaroon has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Payakaroon holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Kelly has had enough of the clinch but Payakaroon keeps him there for the moment.
Payakaroon prevents Kelly from breaking the clinch.
Kelly lands a left hand.
Kelly is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Payakaroon can do to turn this around?
Payakaroon is trying to maintain a safe position but Kelly gets an underhook and turns Payakaroon into the ropes.
Payakaroon trying to land knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Kelly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kelly manages to break the clinch.
Kelly listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kelly lands a body shot.
Payakaroon tries to clinch but Kelly is having none of it.
Kelly misses with an uppercut. Payakaroon saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly scores with a jab. Payakaroon acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Payakaroon lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kelly circles away quickly and effectively.
Kelly closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Payakaroon takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Payakaroon checks the leg kick nicely there.
Payakaroon wants to counter the offense by Kelly and move into the clinch position.
Payakaroon doesn't manage to clinch there - Kelly circles away.
Kelly is looking to counter punch.

Payakaroon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kelly, pushing him back against the ropes.
Kelly tries to work over Payakaroon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A frustrated look appears on Kelly's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kelly swings wildly with an uppercut but Payakaroon uses good head movement to avoid it.
A frustrated look appears on Kelly's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kelly is trying to break free.
Payakaroon looking to slow down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelly has had enough of the clinch but Payakaroon keeps him there for the moment.
Payakaroon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kelly is defending well for now.
Payakaroon tries to land knees in the clinch but Kelly avoids the damage to the body.
Kelly is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

Payakaroon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Payakaroon wants to clinch up but Kelly keeps it at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kelly. Payakaroon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Payakaroon throws a nice looking combination but Kelly bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kelly throws out a loose jab but Payakaroon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Payakaroon ducks under a wild hook from Kelly.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Payakaroon is looking to chop away at Kelly's legs.
It looked like Kelly was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kelly is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Kelly misses the target.
Payakaroon chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon walks into a left hand.
Kelly comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Payakaroon throws a right hand that Kelly ducks under and follows up with a left that Kelly also avoids with ease.
Payakaroon misses with a body shot.
Kelly throws a solid leg kick but Payakaroon takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kelly.
Payakaroon unleashes a big counter combination but Kelly bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Payakaroon gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kelly checks a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Kelly misses the target.
Payakaroon misses with an attempted mid kick.
Payakaroon lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kelly misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payakaroon.

Payakaroon drives through and clinches with Kelly against the ropes.
Kelly scores with a nice hook to the head.
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!

Payakaroon breaks from the clinch.
Payakaroon throws a sloppy head kick and Kelly moves out of range easily.
Kelly dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Payakaroon. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payakaroon checks a leg kick nicely.
Payakaroon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kelly swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kelly connects with a good right hand that stumbles Payakaroon. Payakaroon circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Luther Kelly is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kelly connects with a single shot there.
A left lands for Kelly.
Kelly finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kelly lands an overhand right.
Payakaroon misses with a two punch combination.
Kelly misses the jab.
Kelly circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kelly lands with a straight right. Payakaroon didn't see that one coming.
A head kick misses from Payakaroon.
Kelly connects with a good right hand that stumbles Payakaroon. Payakaroon circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Somporn Payakaroon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kelly is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luther Kelly showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kelly, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luther Kelly!