PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Walcott (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Troy Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Walcott
vs
Kirkland

187 cm
22
190 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

183 cm
22
196 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Walcott!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Troy Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirkland wants to clinch
and Walcott counters with a nice body kick.
Walcott goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kirkland doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Walcott jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kirkland tries to clinch up.
Walcott takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kirkland scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Walcott definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kirkland takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kirkland wants to counter the offense by Walcott and move into the clinch position.
Kirkland blocks a low kick nicely.
Walcott comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walcott misses with a left hand
and Kirkland counters with a nice uppercut.
Walcott slips a jab from Kirkland.
Walcott moves out of range of the strikes.
Walcott circles away from the clinch attempt.
Walcott throws the kick towards the body but Kirkland avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkland tries to clinch up but Walcott circles away and keeps his distance.
Kirkland moves out of range as Walcott throws a body kick.
We've been informed that Kirkland has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Kirkland misses with a shot to the body
and Walcott counters with a nice uppercut.
Walcott waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kirkland.
Walcott throws a half hearted mid kick.
Walcott getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Walcott looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kirkland misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Walcott.

Kirkland closes the distance and pushes Walcott back into the cage.
Walcott takes a shot to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Kirkland.
Kirkland lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Walcott tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kirkland's elbow.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kirkland creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kirkland.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Walcott leaning his opponent against the cage.

Walcott's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fighters circling - Kirkland throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Walcott bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Walcott jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Walcott jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Walcott throws a body kick that misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Kirkland misses.

Kirkland closes the distance and clinches.
Kirkland prevents a body shot from Walcott.
Kirkland blocks a body shot from Walcott.
Kirkland lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Walcott blocks an uppercut.
Walcott is working Kirkland over against the cage.
Kirkland digs a right hand into Walcott's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Walcott's gas tank.
Walcott lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Kirkland.
Walcott is trying to break free.
Walcott tries to circle away but Kirkland has him pinned against the cage.
A short uppercut from Kirkland.
A head punch on the inside from Kirkland fails to land.
Kirkland misses with a punch to the body.
Walcott blocking some punches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Walcott - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Walcott has a couple of punches blocked by Kirkland.
Walcott lands an uppercut.
Kirkland throws a head punch that misses.
Kirkland misses with a punch on the inside.
Walcott is looking to control Kirkland's arms but Kirkland gets an underhook and turns him. Now Walcott has his back to the cage.
Walcott fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Walcott pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A left lands for Kirkland.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland misses with a lunging right hand
and Walcott connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Walcott throws a body kick that misses
letting Kirkland counter with a right hand.
Kirkland connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Walcott momentarily.
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!
Walcott tries to move into range but Kirkland moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Walcott is rocked!
Kirkland looks to throw the jab but Walcott is out of range.
Walcott jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Oh Walcott is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kirkland dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kirkland ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Walcott seems to have got his legs back now.
Walcott lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kirkland moves out of range of the body kick.
Kirkland throws a jab when Walcott was well out of range.
Kirkland fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Walcott looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Kirkland clinches with his opponent.
Walcott tries to work over Kirkland's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kirkland tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kirkland misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Troy Kirkland dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Walcott is looking to chop away at Kirkland's legs.
Kirkland throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kirkland misses with a right hand
and Walcott counters with a thumping low kick.
Kirkland swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Walcott connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Walcott looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Walcott throws a body shot but no joy.
Walcott sets himself, and Kirkland steps forward looking for the clinch! Walcott avoids it this time.
Walcott moves out of range as Kirkland strikes.

Kirkland fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Walcott, pushing him back against the cage.
Come on Walcott - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kirkland tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walcott blocking some punches.
Kirkland has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Still in the clinch, Walcott scores with a nice short uppercut.
Walcott misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Walcott throws a punch but it's blocked by Kirkland.
Kirkland scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walcott wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kirkland misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Troy Kirkland seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kirkland softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Kirkland.
Walcott manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Still in the clinch, Kirkland scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kirkland letting Walcott take a breather here.
Kirkland fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kirkland in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Good body shot from Kirkland.

Walcott breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Walcott looks to land a body kick but Kirkland moved away.
Kirkland wants to clinch up but Walcott keeps it at a distance.
Kirkland takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walcott looks to land a left hand but Kirkland moved out of range nicely.
Walcott looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Joe Walcott is winning the standup battle so far.
Kirkland throws a shot to the body.
Kirkland throws a body shot but no joy.
Walcott throwing a counter right hand but Kirkland manages to avoid it.

Kirkland pushes Walcott up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kirkland working aggressively here.
Walcott misses with a short punch on the inside.

Walcott breaks the clinch.
Walcott avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Walcott throws a half hearted mid kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kirkland! But no joy.
Walcott throws a lazy right hand but Kirkland sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kirkland steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Walcott.
Walcott pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kirkland is out of range and Walcott settles back down.
Walcott sets himself, and Kirkland steps forward looking for the clinch! Walcott avoids it this time.
Kirkland throws a jab but it's blocked by Walcott.

Kirkland clinches up against the cage.
Kirkland lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walcott has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kirkland as Walcott tries to tie him up.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Walcott.
Kirkland tries to work over Walcott's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Walcott tries to work over Kirkland's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Walcott tries to throw a body punch but Kirkland avoids it by throwing Walcott back against the cage.
Walcott misses with a hook to the ribs.
Walcott tries to stall but Kirkland uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kirkland has a couple of punches blocked by Walcott.
Kirkland lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Walcott.
A right hook to the body lands for Kirkland.
A right hand to the body from Kirkland.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kirkland misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Walcott.
Walcott struggles to land a body shot inside as Kirkland controls his hands.
Walcott working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland keeps control of Walcott as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kirkland lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Walcott backwards.
A short left from Kirkland.
Kirkland lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Walcott backwards.
Kirkland working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kirkland misses with a body punch.
Kirkland goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Walcott softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Walcott doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kirkland misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kirkland is leaning against Walcott and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kirkland goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kirkland.
Kirkland can't find room to land a body shot as Walcott controls the action.

Walcott escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Walcott circles away from the clinch attempt.
A slow jab from Kirkland misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Troy Kirkland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kirkland fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Walcott, pushing him back against the cage.
Walcott struggles to land a body shot inside as Kirkland controls his hands.
Walcott is working Kirkland over against the cage.
Kirkland misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kirkland working aggressively here.
Kirkland lands with a left to the head.
Kirkland has a couple of punches blocked by Walcott.
Walcott lands a nice shot to the body.
Kirkland lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Walcott lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kirkland backwards.
Stalling in the clinch from Walcott.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice left hand lands by Kirkland.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kirkland.
Walcott misses with a punch to the body.
Walcott lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kirkland lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Walcott lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kirkland backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walcott misses with a body punch.
Walcott blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kirkland misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kirkland tries to work over Walcott's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kirkland.
Kirkland lands an uppercut.
Walcott is trying to break free.
Kirkland can't find room to land a body shot as Walcott controls the action.
Walcott has Kirkland pressed against the cage.
Walcott lands a shot to the body.
Kirkland can't find room to land a body shot as Walcott controls the action.
Walcott lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kirkland or not.
Kirkland misses with some punches.
Kirkland can't find room to land a body shot as Walcott controls the action.
Kirkland lands a body shot in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walcott trying to stall but Kirkland improves his position.
Kirkland working aggressively here.
Kirkland works on Walcott's body with a couple of short punches.
Nice body punch from Kirkland.
Kirkland misses with a punch to the body.
Kirkland scores with a shoulder strike.
Kirkland pushes Walcott back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kirkland lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Walcott backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Walcott tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kirkland can't find room to land a body shot as Walcott controls the action.
Walcott swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kirkland lands an uppercut.
Walcott misses with a short punch on the inside.
Walcott blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kirkland lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kirkland misses with a punch to the body.
Walcott swings wildly with an uppercut but Kirkland uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kirkland lands a right hand that snaps the head of Walcott backwards.
Walcott tries a body shot but Kirkland blocks it.
Walcott is pushing Kirkland up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Walcott tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Walcott is trying to maintain a safe position but Kirkland gets an underhook and turns Walcott into the cage.
Kirkland blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kirkland fails to land.
Kirkland tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Walcott's elbow.
Kirkland tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Kirkland - that landed with a thud.
Kirkland swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Kirkland fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland lands a left hand.
Kirkland lands a left hand that snaps the head of Walcott backwards.

Walcott's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Walcott throws a sloppy body shot
and Kirkland cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Walcott throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kirkland tries to close the distance and clinch but Walcott swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Walcott is looking to counter with head kicks.
Walcott bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Walcott feinted there with a counter leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirkland throws a hook but Walcott avoids it easily.
Kirkland paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Walcott takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Kirkland clinches up against the cage.
Walcott misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Kirkland fails to land.
Joe Walcott has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kirkland misses with the head strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Troy Kirkland comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kirkland 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Troy Kirkland!
Troy Kirkland took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.