PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jordan Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Kuechley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kirkland
vs
Kuechley

176 cm
24
279 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

225 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jordan Kirkland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Kuechley!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuechley instigates a clinch.

Kirkland breaks the clinch.

Kuechley instigates a clinch.

Kuechley decides to pull guard.
Kirkland stopping the sweep attempt from Kuechley.
Kuechley is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kirkland controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuechley wants to stand up but Kirkland is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuechley tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kirkland throwing strikes but missing.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kirkland with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kuechley drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kuechley sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kuechley trying to control but Kirkland is working from the bottom.
Kirkland might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuechley trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kirkland's guard.
Kuechley looking to sit in guard and control but Kirkland gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kuechley being controlled here, momentarily.
Kuechley has his hands on Kirkland's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kuechley looking to control.
Kirkland working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kuechley is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kuechley wants to stand and escape but Kirkland is having none of it.
Kuechley trying to control the position here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kirkland enables Kuechley to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kirkland manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuechley drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kirkland manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kuechley has Kirkland in his guard.

Kirkland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kuechley works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kirkland cracks Kuechley with a solid left hand.
Kirkland engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kuechley manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kirkland manages to get himself to full guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luke Kuechley will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kuechley closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kuechley lands in his opponent's guard.
Kirkland really is a fat lump.
Kuechley passes into half guard.

Kuechley is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kirkland is just riding it out for now. Kuechley eventually gives up the hold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirkland is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Kuechley has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuechley tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kirkland knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kuechley prevents Kirkland from standing back up.
Kuechley trying to mount his opponent but Kirkland defends it.
Kuechley stalling away here and it's allowed Kirkland to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kirkland is trying to control the position but Kuechley postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kuechley trying to control but Kirkland is working from the bottom.
Kirkland wants to sweep here but Kuechley controlling him for the moment.
Kuechley with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kuechley tries to stand but Kirkland is controlling from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kuechley closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kuechley blocks an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuechley gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kirkland regains guard.
Kuechley advances position into side control!
Kuechley working the ground and pound but Kirkland is defending the strikes.
Kuechley 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.

Kuechley decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Kuechley shoots in and gets a takedown into Kirkland's guard.
Kuechley trying to control the position from guard on top but Kirkland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland is looking to stand up but Kuechley isn't so interested in that idea.
Kuechley engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kuechley postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Kuechley 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!

Kuechley decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kirkland gets full guard.
Kuechley would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kuechley throws a strike but Kirkland rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kuechley utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kirkland is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuechley looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kirkland is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkland sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuechley looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kirkland working some strikes from top position.
Luke Kuechley has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kirkland working some strikes from top position.
Kuechley has Kirkland pulled in close to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kuechley wants to improve his position but instead Kirkland has moved into half guard.
Ground and pound from Kirkland.
Kuechley wants to improve his position but Kirkland is controlling well.
Kirkland keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kirkland prevents Kuechley from improving his position.
Ground and pound from Kirkland.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Kirkland gets tackled into the cage by Kuechley. Kuechley maintains the clinch.

Kuechley is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Kirkland can't fight it off and eventually Kuechley manages to take the fight to the floor. Kirkland looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kirkland is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kuechley tries to break the clinch but Kirkland is controlling the position.
Kirkland tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuechley avoids the damage to the body.

Kuechley's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kuechley scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kirkland is looking to get back to his feet here but Kuechley is keeping cool and he's managed to take Kirkland's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kirkland looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Kirkland wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kirkland tries to escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jordan Kirkland showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuechley has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Kuechley!