PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khaled Ahmad (ranked 5757 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lani Kirby (ranked 5982 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ahmad
vs
Kirby

185 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khaled Ahmad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lani Kirby!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirby throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ahmad's waist but Ahmad gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kirby off to one side.
Ahmad dives in for a single leg takedown but Kirby sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kirby tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ahmad swivels and escapes.
Ahmad tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ahmad wants to clinch up but Kirby keeps it at a distance.
Kirby throws a body shot but no joy.
Kirby is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ahmad sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Khaled Ahmad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lani Kirby.
Kirby throws a looping overhand right but Ahmad ducks down to avoid it.
Ahmad tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kirby manages to circle out of the way.
Ahmad shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ahmad shoots in for a double leg but Kirby sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kirby appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirby looks to land a right hand but Ahmad moved out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Ahmad misses the target.

Kirby clinches.
Ahmad using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kirby has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ahmad goes for a takedown attempt but Kirby pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kirby.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kirby gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kirby lands an uppercut.

Ahmad pulls guard successfully.
Kirby throwing strikes but missing.
Kirby missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ahmad trying to control the position.
Kirby trying to control the position from guard on top but Ahmad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ahmad keeping full guard, as Kirby tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahmad throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Kirby really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ahmad. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ahmad keeping moving, preventing Kirby from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kirby might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ahmad haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kirby swings for the body but Ahmad moves out of range.
Ahmad half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kirby shoots in and drives through. Ahmad sprawls well.
Kirby scores with a nice head shot.

Kirby gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kirby gets through Ahmad's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kirby lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kirby misses with a punch to the body.
Kirby lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ahmad gets control of Kirby's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ahmad will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ahmad is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kirby trying to control the position from guard on top but Ahmad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ahmad working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kirby doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kirby manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kirby trying to control but Ahmad is working from the bottom.
Kirby must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kirby is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahmad working a defensive guard here.
Ahmad looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kirby stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ahmad swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ahmad is controlling Kirby's posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kirby trying to control but Ahmad is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lani Kirby dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kirby shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ahmad pinned against the cage. Ahmad gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kirby shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ahmad sprawls well. Ahmad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kirby gets slowly back to his feet.
Kirby changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ahmad tries to avoid it but Kirby manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ahmad to the ground. Ahmad escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Khaled Ahmad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lani Kirby.
Ahmad shoots in but Kirby avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kirby shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ahmad sprawls well. Ahmad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kirby gets slowly back to his feet.
Ahmad seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirby scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahmad on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kirby jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ahmad is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kirby.

Kirby shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Ahmad makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Kirby slaps away a takedown attempt from Ahmad, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kirby shoots in but no luck this time.
Ahmad lands a head kick. Kirby smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
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!
Kirby fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahmad defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kirby.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kirby is defended easily by Ahmad.
Kirby shoots in but no luck this time.
Ahmad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kirby digs a good hook to Ahmad's body.
Khaled Ahmad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kirby throws a big shot that misses.
Kirby misses with a wild body shot.
Ahmad is looking to counter the offense by Kirby and move into the clinch.
Kirby shoots in but no luck this time.
Kirby shoots for a double leg takedown but Ahmad sprawls well. He's pushed Kirby's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kirby looks for a takedown but Ahmad sprawls well.
Kirby is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirby blocks a head kick by Ahmad.
Kirby looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lani Kirby seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kirby fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ahmad avoids it really well and circles away.
Khaled Ahmad is winning the standup battle so far.
Kirby cracks a nice hook into Ahmad's ribs.
Kirby shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ahmad as he jumps to the side.
Kirby dives in and grabs Ahmad's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ahmad pushes down on Kirby's head and hops out.
Kirby fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ahmad is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kirby.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirby misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Kirby clinches up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Kirby.

Ahmad breaks the clinch.
Ahmad doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Kirby fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ahmad to the ground. Kirby is now in Ahmad's guard.

Ahmad scrambles and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kirby closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Ahmad breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kirby moves into range and clinches up with Ahmad.
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 Khaled Ahmad will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Ahmad displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kirby.
Kirby just misses with a punch to the body.

Kirby has Ahmad up against the cage in a clinch.
Kirby lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ahmad blocking some punches.
Kirby misses with a punch to the body.
Ahmad is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kirby to keep the fight standing.
Ahmad is trying to pull guard but Kirby has him pressed against the cage.
Ahmad throws an elbow but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahmad swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kirby working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kirby taking a breather.
Ahmad is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kirby to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khaled Ahmad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kirby pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ahmad pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ahmad is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kirby sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kirby is defended easily by Ahmad.
Kirby shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ahmad defends it nicely.
Kirby fails with the takedown.
Ahmad keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ahmad tries to counter by clinching up but Kirby breaks away and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kirby drives through and clinches with Ahmad against the cage.
Kirby doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kirby pushes Ahmad back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kirby gets through Ahmad's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Ahmad manages to pull guard.
Kirby wants to control from the top but Ahmad keeps moving.
Ahmad bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kirby's guard.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kirby keeping moving, preventing Ahmad from controlling successfully.
Kirby is trying to hold Ahmad in close to prevent damage but Ahmad has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirby is looking for a sweep. Ahmad is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kirby is not content to let Ahmad control the position.
Ahmad missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kirby trying to hold on to Ahmad's head to control him but Ahmad postures up.

Ahmad escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Kirby fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ahmad, pushing him back against the cage.
Ahmad tries to score a body lock takedown but Kirby shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A nice left hand lands by Kirby.
Ahmad is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kirby gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ahmad goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kirby prevents it.
A short right from Kirby.
Kirby works on Ahmad's body with a couple of short punches.
Kirby scores with a hook to the body.
Kirby gets through Ahmad's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kirby lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ahmad backwards.
Kirby lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ahmad backwards.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kirby lands a shoulder strike.
Kirby lands a shot to the body.
Kirby lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kirby lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ahmad backwards.
Kirby lands on the inside with an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lani Kirby comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kirby has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lani Kirby!