PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Pearson (ranked 1168 p4p, 56 weight class) and Eksem Von Ketler (ranked 508 p4p, 28 weight class). Von Ketler is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Bonecracker- Shocore. Eksem Von Ketler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pearson
vs
Von Ketler

174 cm
23
138 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

166 cm
26
139 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Pearson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eksem Von Ketler!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, David Schapiro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pearson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Von Ketler throws a combination that misses
and Pearson counters with a left to the body.
Pearson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Von Ketler doesn't seem bothered though.
Pearson throws a leg kick which misses Von Ketler's front leg but catches the back leg as Von Ketler tries to avoid it.

Von Ketler shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Pearson tries to kick Von Ketler off but Von Ketler keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
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. Von Ketler connects with a nice short shot to Pearson's temple.
Von Ketler trying to control from half guard but Pearson is working away.
Von Ketler looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Von Ketler keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Pearson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pearson misses with a body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Von Ketler. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Von Ketler.
Pearson misses with a low kick.
Von Ketler shoots in but no luck this time.
Pearson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Johnny Pearson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Von Ketler.
Pearson wants to clinch.
Pearson lands a head shot.
Pearson slips a jab from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler missing with a left hand there. Pearson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pearson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Von Ketler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice straight punches there by Pearson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Pearson.
Von Ketler goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Von Ketler checks the leg kick nicely there.

Pearson rushes Von Ketler and presses him up against the cage.
Pearson struggles to land a body shot inside as Von Ketler controls his hands.
Pearson pushes Von Ketler back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pearson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pearson lands a right hand.
Pearson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pearson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Von Ketler throws an elbow but misses.
Von Ketler is looking to take this one to the mat.
Johnny Pearson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eksem Von Ketler.

Von Ketler wants the takedown. Pearson is fighting it off but Von Ketler persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Pearson's guard against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Von Ketler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Von Ketler decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Pearson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Von Ketler avoids the body shot from Pearson.

Von Ketler shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Pearson keeping moving, preventing Von Ketler from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Von Ketler showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Pearson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Von Ketler on the ground.
Von Ketler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler looking to sit in guard and control but Pearson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Von Ketler trying to strike off his back.
Pearson stopping the sweep attempt from Von Ketler.
Pearson is fighting to break Von Ketler's control of his arms but Von Ketler is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Von Ketler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Von Ketler is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pearson is aware though and is defending well.

Von Ketler looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pearson is looking to stand up but Von Ketler won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pearson gets to his feet. Von Ketler looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Von Ketler scores with a three punch combo!
Pearson moves in looking to clinch but Von Ketler pushes him off.
Von Ketler drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Pearson defends it well.
Von Ketler shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pearson but Pearson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Von Ketler takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Von Ketler walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Pearson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Von Ketler.

Pearson takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pearson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Pearson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pearson throws a body shot but no joy.
Pearson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Pearson is looking to clinch but Von Ketler is avoiding it.
Pearson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Von Ketler keeps the fight on the outside.
Von Ketler blocks a leg kick.
Von Ketler throws a hook to the side of Pearson's head but Pearson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A punch combination from Von Ketler misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Pearson misses the target.
Pearson throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A shot to the liver by Pearson. Beautiful body shot.
Von Ketler throws a looping overhand right but Pearson ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pearson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Von Ketler.

Pearson has closed the distance and engaged Von Ketler in a clinch.
Von Ketler fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Pearson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Von Ketler backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Pearson on the inside.
Pearson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Pearson struggles to land a body shot inside as Von Ketler controls his hands.
Von Ketler lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Pearson.
Von Ketler is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pearson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Johnny Pearson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eksem Von Ketler.
Von Ketler blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Von Ketler takes an elbow to the temple.

Von Ketler pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pearson is looking to wear down Von Ketler with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Von Ketler takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Pearson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Von Ketler. Von Ketler circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Pearson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Von Ketler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pearson is looking to clinch.
Von Ketler shoots in for a double leg but Pearson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Von Ketler shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pearson defends it nicely.
Johnny Pearson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A good leg kick by Pearson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler connects with a looping right hand.
Pearson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Von Ketler manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Von Ketler looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pearson scores with a nice body kick.
A head kick misses from Von Ketler.
Pearson tries to counter by clinching up but Von Ketler breaks away and moves out of range.
Pearson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Von Ketler.
Von Ketler lands an overhand right.
Pearson slips under a jab.

Von Ketler changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pearson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Von Ketler trying to control the position but Pearson is working away.
Pearson wants to get back to his feet.

Von Ketler is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pearson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Pearson is trying to buck Von Ketler off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Von Ketler thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Pearson throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Von Ketler swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Von Ketler avoids the body shot from Pearson.

Pearson gets caught napping as Von Ketler dives in and scores a takedown. Pearson manages to retain guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Von Ketler's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Von Ketler decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pearson, up you get!
Von Ketler goes for a double leg but Pearson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Pearson continues to drive forward.
Pearson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Von Ketler can do to turn this around?
Von Ketler loads up on a big right hand but Pearson slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler darts in looking for a takedown but Pearson gets double underhooks and turns Von Ketler into the cage.
Von Ketler throws a hook but Pearson blocks it.
Von Ketler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pearson tries to move into range but Von Ketler moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pearson stuffs the takedown.
Von Ketler takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Pearson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Von Ketler. That did some damage!
Von Ketler tries for a takedown but Pearson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pearson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Pearson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Von Ketler.
Pearson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler throws a nice looking combination but Pearson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Von Ketler swats away the attempt to clinch by Pearson.
Von Ketler tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Pearson defends well and Von Ketler ends up having to push Pearson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Von Ketler keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Pearson dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Pearson misses with a hook
and Von Ketler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Pearson thuds his shin into the meat of Von Ketler's side.
Von Ketler waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pearson.
Von Ketler takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Von Ketler misses with a takedown attempt - Pearson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pearson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Johnny Pearson is winning the standup battle so far.
Von Ketler scores with a hook.
Pearson lands a jab.
Pearson wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pearson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Von Ketler.
A leg kick checked by Von Ketler.
Nice sprawl there from Pearson as Von Ketler shoots in.
Pearson connects with a single shot there.
Pearson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pearson clinches up with Von Ketler and pushes him back against the cage.
Von Ketler taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Pearson gets through Von Ketler's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Von Ketler blocks an elbow strike.
Pearson throws a punch but it's blocked by Von Ketler.
Johnny Pearson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Von Ketler has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pearson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Johnny Pearson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eksem Von Ketler.
Pearson works on Von Ketler's body with a couple of short punches.

Von Ketler works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Pearson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Von Ketler is trying to break the clinch but Pearson is controlling him.
Pearson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Our sources have told us that Pearson has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Pearson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pearson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pearson misses with some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Pearson lands with a right to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pearson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pearson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Von Ketler.
Pearson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Von Ketler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pearson.
Pearson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Eksem Von Ketler has been cut.
Pearson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Pearson works on Von Ketler's body with a couple of short punches.
Pearson works on Von Ketler's body with a couple of short punches.
Pearson has a couple of punches blocked by Von Ketler.
Pearson misses with a body punch.
Von Ketler wants to break free but Pearson has control.

Von Ketler jumps guard and drags Pearson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Pearson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Pearson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Von Ketler on the side of the head.
Von Ketler has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Von Ketler there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pearson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pearson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Pearson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Pearson is looking to clinch but Von Ketler is avoiding it.
Nice body kick from Pearson.
Pearson thumps Von Ketler with a low kick.
Von Ketler uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pearson.
Pearson thows a body kick. Von Ketler tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Pearson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pearson wants it to stay on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pearson. Von Ketler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Von Ketler throws out a loose jab but Pearson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Von Ketler tries to keep at a distance but Pearson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pearson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pearson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Von Ketler is trying to stall.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Pearson obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pearson gets underhooks to prevent Von Ketler's takedown attempt.
Von Ketler blocks the elbow strike.
Eksem Von Ketler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pearson throws an elbow but it misses.
Pearson tries a body shot but Von Ketler blocks it.
Von Ketler has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Pearson.
Pearson is pressed up against the cage. Von Ketler has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pearson down to the mat. Pearson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The fighters circling - Pearson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnny Pearson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
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!
Pearson throws a body shot but no joy.
Pearson throws a shot to the body.
Pearson throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Von Ketler counters with a takedown into side control.
Pearson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Von Ketler works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Pearson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pearson, 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Pearson!
In defeat, Eksem Von Ketler stepped up to the mic, saying 'Didn't hurt'.