PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Manny Pacquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Kicker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kicker comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Kiss Kicker 99 kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The key to victory for Manny Pacquiao has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Pacquiao
vs
Kicker

186 cm
25
178 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

182 cm
26
175 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Basic striking
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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Kicker!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pacquiao tries to clinch up.
Kicker throws a hook to the side of Pacquiao's head but Pacquiao sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kicker works the jab nicely.

Pacquiao rushes Kicker and presses him up against the cage.
Kicker is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pacquiao is defending well.
Pacquiao misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pacquiao is leaning against Kicker and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Pacquiao throws a head punch that misses.
Kicker can't get the takedown.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kicker.
Pacquiao working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kicker blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kicker is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pacquiao pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Manny Pacquiao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Kicker.
Pacquiao looking to stall.
Kicker blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Pacquiao as the two fighters clinch.
Kicker blocks a body shot from Pacquiao.
Kicker holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kicker prevents a body shot from Pacquiao.
Good body shot from Pacquiao.
Kicker can't get the takedown.
Pacquiao is looking to control Kicker's arms but Kicker gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pacquiao has his back to the cage.
Pacquiao misses with the head strike.
Pacquiao is working Kicker over against the cage.
Pacquiao lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Pacquiao.
Kicker lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao misses with some punches.
Pacquiao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pacquiao lands with a short shot to the head.
Kicker has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Pacquiao after a bit of a struggle.
Pacquiao looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Pacquiao tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kicker's elbow.
Kicker blocking some punches.
Pacquiao throws a punch but it's blocked by Kicker.
Pacquiao struggles to land a body shot inside as Kicker controls his hands.
Pacquiao misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kicker blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pacquiao gets underhooks to prevent Kicker's takedown attempt.
Kicker wants a takedown.
Pacquiao doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kicker tries to work over Pacquiao's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pacquiao stalling in the clinch.
Pacquiao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pacquiao lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kicker has a couple of punches blocked by Pacquiao.
Pacquiao throws a head punch that misses.
Kicker drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pacquiao gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Pacquiao dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kicker's coach down at Tayne's 4d3d3d3 Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kicker's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Pacquiao takes a shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kicker lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kicker wants a takedown.
Pacquiao struggles to land a body shot inside as Kicker controls his hands.
Pacquiao can't find room to land a body shot as Kicker controls the action.
Pacquiao trying to control the position but instead, Kicker has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pacquiao into the cage.
Kicker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pacquiao blocks a body shot from Kicker.
The referee calls for Pacquiao to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pacquiao throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Pacquiao taking a breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Pacquiao dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kicker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pacquiao ducks under a wild hook from Kicker.
Pacquiao bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kicker's head.
Pacquiao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kicker slips a jab from Pacquiao.
Kicker lands a jab to the nose.
Kicker looks to land a left hand but Pacquiao moved out of range nicely.
Pacquiao tries to clinch but Kicker is having none of it.
Pacquiao ducks under a wild hook from Kicker.
Kicker keeps the fight on the outside.
Pacquiao avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pacquiao closes the distance but Kicker moves to the side
and Kicker cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kicker throws a hook but Pacquiao blocks it.
Pacquiao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kicker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kicker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pacquiao is looking to clinch but Kicker is avoiding it.
Kicker looks to score with a jab to the body but Pacquiao is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kicker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kicker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pacquiao.
Kicker throws a hook to the side of Pacquiao's head but Pacquiao sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
James Kicker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kicker bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kicker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kicker connects with a good right hand that stumbles Pacquiao. Pacquiao circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
James Kicker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pacquiao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kicker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pacquiao tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kicker manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pacquiao slips under a jab.
Pacquiao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kicker.
Pacquiao tries to clinch there but Kicker circles away.
Kicker appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kicker takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Pacquiao takes the fight into the clinch.
Kicker prevents a body shot from Pacquiao.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kicker looking for a takedown.
Pacquiao blocks a body shot from Kicker.
Pacquiao presses Kicker against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Pacquiao can't find room to land a body shot as Kicker controls the action.
Pacquiao misses with some punches.
Pacquiao misses with some punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kicker is working for takedown but Pacquiao is calmly controlling the position for now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pacquiao is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Manny Pacquiao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Kicker.
Kicker blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pacquiao throws a punch but it's blocked by Kicker.
Pacquiao misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Pacquiao as the two fighters clinch.
Pacquiao tries to work over Kicker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pacquiao tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kicker just stands there and leans against the cage.
Pacquiao throws a head punch that misses.
Pacquiao gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kicker.
Manny Pacquiao has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kicker is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Pacquiao doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pacquiao tries a body shot but Kicker blocks it.
Pacquiao tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kicker's elbow.
Pacquiao lands with a light punch inside.
Pacquiao misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao has a couple of punches blocked by Kicker.
Pacquiao lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Pacquiao wants to stall.
Pacquiao misses with a punch to the body.
Pacquiao goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kicker wants a takedown but no success here.
Pacquiao is looking to control Kicker's arms but Kicker gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pacquiao has his back to the cage.
Kicker throws a head punch that misses.
Pacquiao tries a body shot but Kicker blocks it.
Pacquiao swings wildly with an uppercut but Kicker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pacquiao misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Manny Pacquiao will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kicker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pacquiao seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Pacquiao is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kicker can do to turn this around?
Pacquiao slips a straight right by Kicker.
Pacquiao tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kicker manages to circle out of the way.
Pacquiao takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Pacquiao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kicker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kicker looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Pacquiao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kicker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kicker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pacquiao circles away quickly and effectively.
Kicker throws a looping overhand right but Pacquiao ducks down to avoid it.
Nice shot by Kicker.
Pacquiao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kicker swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kicker tries to keep at a distance but Pacquiao has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kicker lands a left hand that snaps the head of Pacquiao backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kicker has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pacquiao avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pacquiao misses with some punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Pacquiao misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kicker wants a takedown.
Still in the clinch, Pacquiao scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kicker.
Pacquiao swings wildly with an uppercut but Kicker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pacquiao softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pacquiao softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pacquiao misses with a punch to the body.
Kicker blocks an elbow strike from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kicker backwards.
Kicker lands a left hand.
Kicker tries for a takedown but Pacquiao manages to get underhooks.
Manny Pacquiao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Kicker.
Pacquiao misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kicker backwards.
Kicker tries for a takedown. No joy.
Pacquiao misses with the head strike.
Kicker drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pacquiao pushes Kicker back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kicker prevents a body shot from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao has a couple of punches blocked by Kicker.
Pacquiao pushes Kicker back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pacquiao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Pacquiao has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kicker uses from the top position.
Kicker has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Pacquiao is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James Kicker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pacquiao looking to control but Kicker passes into half guard.
Kicker wants to get back to his feet.
Manny Pacquiao is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pacquiao trying to control here.
Pacquiao is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kicker not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kicker wants to stand but Pacquiao has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Pacquiao wants to control but Kicker is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pacquiao tries to close the distance and clinch but Kicker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pacquiao tries to clinch there but Kicker circles away.
Pacquiao doesn't manage to clinch there - Kicker circles away.
Pacquiao is looking to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kicker misses with a hook. Pacquiao ducked under it nicely.
Kicker looks to land a left hand but Pacquiao moved out of range nicely.
Kicker loads up on a big right hand but Pacquiao slips the punch.
Kicker takes a swing at Pacquiao's ribcage but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Pacquiao showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pacquiao, 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Pacquiao!
Manny Pacquiao decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
James Kicker spoke after the fight, saying 'Looks like I *kicked* my habit of winning'.