PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Owens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Rekis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rekis is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: AC/DC - Thunderstruck. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Owens
vs
Rekis

183 cm
22
220 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

190 cm
33
210 lbs
18 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kevin Owens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Rekis!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Hirohito Nitta and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rekis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Owens can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rekis controls the pace.
Let's hope that Rekis has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Owens is trying to keep Rekis in close.
Owens wants to sweep here but Rekis controlling him for the moment.
Rekis wants to control from the top but Owens keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Owens is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rekis lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens wants to improve his position but instead Rekis has moved into half guard.

Rekis looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Owens on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rekis works his way into side control.
Owens tries to bench press Rekis off him but Rekis keeps the position.
Rekis scoring with punches and elbows.
Rekis grinds an elbow into Owens's temple.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rekis working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Owens taking a bit of punishment here - Rekis scoring with strikes.
Rekis lands a decent elbow from side control.
Owens struggling a bit here.
Owens is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rekis's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rekis has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rekis winds up and cracks Owens with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Rekis is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rekis connects with a nice short shot to Owens's temple.
Owens knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rekis on the ground.
Rekis blocks the strikes from Owens.
Owens is looking for a sweep. Rekis is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Owens is working hard here to advance position.
Rekis controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens trying to hold on to Rekis's head to control him but Rekis postures up.
Owens has hold of Rekis's hands but Rekis slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Owens looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rekis seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rekis trying to control the pace.

Rekis is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Owens is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). John Rekis!
An out of breath John Rekis thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.