PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Gonzalez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maynard Keenan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gonzalez kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Hail Mary - Tupac. Maynard Keenan has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Nick Gonzalez 's chin.

Gonzalez
vs
Keenan

185 cm
28
183 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

182 cm
28
181 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Gonzalez !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maynard Keenan!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keenan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gonzalez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Gonzalez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gonzalez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Keenan has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Gonzalez is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Keenan closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Keenan has his takedown stuffed
and Gonzalez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gonzalez steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Keenan. That one must have hurt.
Keenan misses with a body kick.
Gonzalez swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan throws a leg kick that is checked
and Gonzalez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gonzalez moves away from the strike by Keenan.
Gonzalez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Keenan tries to clinch but Gonzalez moves away
and Gonzalez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Keenan misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Keenan has a takedown stuffed.
Gonzalez swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Nick Gonzalez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Keenan tries for a takedown but Gonzalez circles away easily
and Gonzalez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nick Gonzalez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maynard Keenan.
Keenan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gonzalez .
Keenan throws a sloppy head kick and Gonzalez moves out of range easily.
It looked like Gonzalez was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Keenan.
Keenan throws a lazy body kick
and Gonzalez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gonzalez is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Keenan tries to clinch but Gonzalez moves away
and Gonzalez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Keenan misses with a looping left.
Gonzalez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan wants to clinch
and Gonzalez counters with a right hand to the body.
Keenan tries to clinch up but Gonzalez circles away and keeps his distance.
Gonzalez is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Keenan throws an off balance right hand
and Gonzalez counters with a left to the body.
Gonzalez dodges the punch combination from Keenan.
Gonzalez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Keenan tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Gonzalez to counter with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Keenan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan misses with a head kick.
Keenan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gonzalez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Keenan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Keenan misses with a head kick.
A quick step to the side and Gonzalez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gonzalez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gonzalez wants it to stay on the feet.
Keenan tries a head kick but it misses.
Keenan looks winded!
A head kick misses from Keenan.
Keenan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gonzalez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan tries to clinch
and Gonzalez counters with a left to the body.
Keenan throws a head kick that misses
and Gonzalez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Keenan wants to slow Gonzalez down by chopping away at his legs.
A head kick by Keenan misses
and Gonzalez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Keenan misses with a leg kick
and Gonzalez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Keenan tries a head kick but it misses.
Gonzalez is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Keenan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gonzalez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
It looked like Gonzalez was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Keenan.
Maynard Keenan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick by Keenan misses
and Gonzalez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Keenan thinking.
Keenan moves to clinch but Gonzalez breaks away
and Gonzalez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Gonzalez dominated that round.
That's time! Gonzalez 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Keenan gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gonzalez counters with a left to the body.
Gonzalez slips a straight right by Keenan.
Gonzalez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Gonzalez is looking to wear down Keenan with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Keenan throws an off balance right hand
and Gonzalez counters with a nice body shot.
Maynard Keenan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Keenan tries to clinch
and Gonzalez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Keenan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gonzalez counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gonzalez avoids the head kick by Keenan.
Gonzalez circles away from the clinch attempt
and Gonzalez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Keenan is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Keenan moves into the clinch.
Keenan is trying to stall.
A body shot lands from Keenan.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Keenan doesn't manage to clinch there - Gonzalez circles away.
Gonzalez blocks a head kick by Keenan.
Gonzalez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Keenan can do to turn this around?
Keenan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Keenan moves in looking to clinch but Gonzalez pushes him off.
Gonzalez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Keenan tries to clinch there but Gonzalez circles away.
A quick step to the side and Gonzalez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A head kick by Keenan misses
and Gonzalez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan tries for a takedown but Gonzalez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A quick step to the side and Gonzalez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Keenan throws the left hand but Gonzalez avoids the punch easily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Keenan!
Keenan tries to clinch but Gonzalez moves out of range.
It looked like Gonzalez was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Keenan.
Keenan fails to land with a series of punches.
Gonzalez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Gonzalez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nick Gonzalez is winning the standup battle so far.
Keenan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gonzalez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Keenan wants to clinch up but Gonzalez keeps it at a distance.
Gonzalez swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Keenan closes the distance but Gonzalez moves to the side
and Gonzalez counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Gonzalez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Keenan tries to clinch
and Gonzalez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Keenan throws a sloppy head kick
and Gonzalez counters with a right hand to the body.
Keenan wants to clinch but Gonzalez slips to the side
and Gonzalez counters with a nice body shot.
Keenan tries to clinch up
and Gonzalez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Keenan misses with a combination
and Gonzalez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan thows a leg kick but Gonzalez checks it
and Gonzalez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Keenan wants to clinch
and Gonzalez counters with a straight right hand.
Keenan throws a right hand that Gonzalez ducks under and follows up with a left that Gonzalez also avoids with ease.
Keenan misses with a left hand
and Gonzalez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Keenan thinking.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gonzalez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Keenan swings away with a body shot that misses
and Gonzalez counters with a nice body shot.
A head kick by Keenan misses
enabling Gonzalez to counter with a crisp jab.
Keenan moves to clinch but Gonzalez breaks away
and Gonzalez counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Gonzalez dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Keenan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Gonzalez to counter with a crisp jab.
Keenan is looking to clinch but Gonzalez is avoiding it.
Gonzalez is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Keenan lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Keenan throws a sloppy head kick
and Gonzalez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Keenan shoots and misses
letting Gonzalez counter with a right hand.
Keenan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Gonzalez counter with a right hand.
Keenan darts in trying to clinch
enabling Gonzalez to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Keenan.
A quick step to the side and Gonzalez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan tries to clinch
and Gonzalez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Keenan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Keenan wants to clinch.
Gonzalez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Keenan closes the distance and pushes Gonzalez back into the cage.
Gonzalez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Keenan scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gonzalez tries to pull guard but Keenan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Keenan.
Good body shot from Gonzalez .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Gonzalez .
Gonzalez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gonzalez is trying to force a seperation but Keenan has the dominant position.
Gonzalez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Keenan's efforts to push away.
Keenan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gonzalez to keep the fight standing.

Gonzalez manages to break the clinch.
Keenan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A low kick from Keenan misses
and Gonzalez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Keenan throws a lazy body kick
and Gonzalez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Keenan thinking.
Keenan looks to clinch
and Gonzalez counters with a nice body shot.
Keenan tries to clinch up but Gonzalez circles away and keeps his distance.
It looked like Gonzalez was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Keenan.
Keenan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like Gonzalez was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Keenan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Keenan with that takedown attempt.
Gonzalez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nick Gonzalez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maynard Keenan.
A head kick misses from Keenan.
A head kick by Keenan misses
letting Gonzalez counter with a right hand.
Keenan with a poor takedown
and Gonzalez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Keenan is looking to clinch but Gonzalez is avoiding it.
Keenan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Keenan has his takedown stuffed
and Gonzalez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan tries to clinch there but Gonzalez circles away.
Keenan wants to clinch but Gonzalez slips to the side
and Gonzalez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Keenan throws a lazy head kick
and Gonzalez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Keenan with a poor takedown
letting Gonzalez counter with a right hand.
Keenan closes the distance but Gonzalez moves to the side
and Gonzalez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Keenan misses with a takedown attempt
and Gonzalez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Maynard Keenan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Keenan darts in trying to clinch
and Gonzalez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Gonzalez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gonzalez , 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Gonzalez !
Nick Gonzalez was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.