PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sascha Koniezko (ranked 1074 p4p, 158 weight class) and Steven Kennedy (ranked 2514 p4p, 346 weight class). Koniezko comes to the cage accompanied by Imperial March (L.O.D. Rage Mix). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Koniezko
vs
Kennedy

185 cm
21
185 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

183 cm
28
178 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

IniTech Nutrition

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sascha Koniezko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steven Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy lands with a thumping leg kick.
Koniezko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kennedy as he avoids it easily.
Koniezko misses with a lunging right hand
and Kennedy counters with a right hand to the body.
Koniezko cracks Kennedy with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kennedy misses with a hook
and Koniezko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Koniezko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Koniezko moves out of range of the body kick.
Koniezko swings for the body but Kennedy moves out of range.
Kennedy now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Koniezko scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kennedy is trying to improve his position.
Kennedy wants to control but Koniezko postures up.
Kennedy is looking to reverse the position.
Kennedy is still trying to improve position.
Kennedy wants to control but Koniezko postures up.
Kennedy gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy is looking for a sweep. Koniezko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Koniezko in particular looking to stall.

Kennedy actively working from the bottom here.
Kennedy trying to control here.
Kennedy tries to get to full guard but Koniezko has control of the leg.

Kennedy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kennedy is trying to get back to full guard.
Kennedy regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kennedy wants to sweep but no luck.

Kennedy working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Koniezko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Koniezko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Kennedy has his foot on Koniezko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Koniezko works his way back into a safe position though.
Koniezko would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Koniezko getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koniezko shoots in looking for a takedown but Kennedy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Koniezko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kennedy thinks about the counter body kick.
Koniezko checks a leg kick.
Koniezko misses with a wild combination.
Koniezko lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kennedy throws a body shot but no joy.

Koniezko rushes Kennedy and presses him up against the cage.
Kennedy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Koniezko has him pressed against the cage.
Kennedy blocks a body shot from Koniezko.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Koniezko.

Koniezko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kennedy thumps Koniezko with a low kick.
Koniezko fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koniezko wants to clinch but Kennedy slips to the side
and Kennedy makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kennedy swings for the body but Koniezko moves out of range.
Koniezko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kennedy throws a low kick but it's checked well by Koniezko.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koniezko misses with a wild combination.
Kennedy fails with a takedown attempt.
Sascha Koniezko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koniezko tries for a takedown but Kennedy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sascha Koniezko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kennedy avoids a punch combination nicely.
A low kick from Kennedy is predictable there
and Kennedy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Koniezko connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Koniezko misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sascha Koniezko dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kennedy stuffs the takedown attempt from Koniezko. Koniezko gets slowly back to his feet.
Kennedy scores with a head kick.
Kennedy just misses with a punch to the body.
Koniezko fails to land with a series of punches.
Kennedy looks to land a right hand but Koniezko moved out of range.
A head kick misses from Kennedy.
Koniezko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Koniezko moves away from the strike by Kennedy.
Kennedy shoots in looking for a takedown. Koniezko tries to sprawl out of it but Kennedy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Koniezko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
As Kennedy tries to get set, Koniezko tries to push him back and clinch up but Kennedy manages to avoid the attempt.
Koniezko takes a swing at Kennedy's ribcage but misses.
Sascha Koniezko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kennedy throws a wild body kick that Koniezko sees coming a mile off.
Kennedy misses with a jab to the body
letting Koniezko counter with a right hand.
Kennedy is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Koniezko rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koniezko jabs Kennedy to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kennedy plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Kennedy lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Koniezko looks to land a combination. Kennedy sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kennedy throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A punch combination from Koniezko misses.
Koniezko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Koniezko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kennedy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Koniezko drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Koniezko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kennedy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Koniezko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Koniezko stands and steps away. Kennedy gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Koniezko gets a double leg takedown into Kennedy's guard.
Kennedy wants to sweep but no luck.
Kennedy has a closed guard, preventing Koniezko from standing up.

Kennedy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Koniezko controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kennedy trying to keep a closed guard but Koniezko is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koniezko slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Koniezko tries to stand but Kennedy is controlling from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Koniezko misses with a two punch combination.
Nice uppercut there from Koniezko.
Kennedy punishes Koniezko's body with a nice straight punch.
Kennedy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Koniezko lands a head shot.
Kennedy paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Koniezko misses with a takedown attempt - Kennedy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Koniezko throws a right and a left that Kennedy avoids nicely.
Kennedy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Koniezko swivels and escapes.
Koniezko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kennedy fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Koniezko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Koniezko tries to clinch up.
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 Sascha Koniezko will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kennedy fails with an attempt to clinch.
No luck for Koniezko with that takedown attempt.
Kennedy misses with a wild body shot.
Koniezko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kennedy.
Koniezko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kennedy.
Kennedy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Koniezko is fending him off so far but Kennedy persists. Nope, Koniezko circles away and we're back to standing.
Koniezko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kennedy circles away quickly and effectively.
Kennedy throws out a loose jab but Koniezko uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy throws a body shot but no joy.
Koniezko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kennedy takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Koniezko works over Kennedy's head and body with a nice combination.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Koniezko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy slips a straight right by Koniezko.
Sascha Koniezko is winning the standup battle so far.
Kennedy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Koniezko swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kennedy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Koniezko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Koniezko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kennedy manages to avoid it.
Koniezko pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kennedy back to the cage. Koniezko follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Koniezko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Kennedy closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kennedy is looking to take a break and control but Koniezko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sascha Koniezko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Koniezko managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kennedy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy controlling the position.
Koniezko regains half guard there - taking advantage of Kennedy's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Still in half guard, Kennedy seems content to control.
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!
Koniezko won't allow Kennedy to pass to mount.

Kennedy is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Koniezko sees it coming and defends easily.
Kennedy working Koniezko over with strikes.
Koniezko tries to kick Kennedy off but Kennedy keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koniezko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kennedy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Koniezko taking some punishment here, with Kennedy in his half guard.
Koniezko tries to kick Kennedy off but Kennedy keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kennedy seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Koniezko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kennedy controlling the action here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Kennedy is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Kennedy is working for a kimura but Koniezko is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kennedy keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sascha Koniezko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kennedy tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Koniezko is able to avoid easily.

Koniezko moves into the clinch.
Kennedy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kennedy - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sascha Koniezko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Koniezko has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sascha Koniezko!
After the fight, Sascha Koniezko was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.