PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steven Kennedy (ranked 3812 p4p, 435 weight class) and Zed Baby! (ranked 2756 p4p, 337 weight class). Baby! has chosen Rage Against The Machine: Know Your Enemy as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Kennedy
vs
Baby!

183 cm
31
178 lbs
11 - 17 - 0

176 cm
24
181 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

Sportivité

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steven Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zed Baby!!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy throws a hook but Baby! blocks it.
Kennedy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Baby!s jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Baby! gets the takedown into side control.
Kennedy tries to improve position but can't.
Kennedy wants to control but Baby! postures up.

Baby! is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kennedy knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kennedy tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kennedy has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
The referee asks Baby! politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Baby! prefers to stall for the moment though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Check out the look on Baby!'s face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kennedy is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Baby! off and has taken his back!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baby! staying busy and making it hard for Kennedy to control.
Kennedy has the hooks in. Baby! is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Kennedy is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Baby! is defending well though. Kennedy let's go of the attempt for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy controlling well, preventing Baby! from escaping the position.
Baby! prevents Kennedy from getting a body triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baby! tries to break free.
Baby! is still trying to improve position.
Kennedy lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Baby! has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Kennedy.
Kennedy is hanging on to Baby!'s back as he tries to escape.
Kennedy scores with punches from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy looking for the choke but no joy.
I really don't envy Baby! right now.
Kennedy not allowing Baby! to control his hands.
Kennedy throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Kennedy tries to get the hooks in deep but Baby! pushed the leg off.
Baby! is trying to break free.
Baby! covering up well and avoiding damage.
Kennedy is trying to stick to Baby!'s back but Baby! is turning into Kennedy. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kennedy's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Baby!.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kennedy looking for a sweep. Not yet Kennedy, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kennedy has momentary wrist control but Baby! slips an elbow through the middle.
Kennedy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kennedy is really struggling to control Baby! but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Kennedy being controlled here, momentarily.

Kennedy is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kennedy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Kennedy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Baby! chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baby! stopping the sweep attempt from Kennedy.

Kennedy is looking for a triangle but Baby! pushes his legs off easily.

Kennedy working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Baby! doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Baby! manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kennedy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Baby! is one step ahead there.
Baby! distracts Kennedy with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Baby! postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Baby! trying to control but Kennedy is working from the bottom.
Baby! landing with the ground and pound.
Kennedy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Baby! scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Steven Kennedy will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Baby! feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Baby! won't allow Kennedy to sweep him here.
Kennedy throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Kennedy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Baby!'s guard.

Baby! pulls Kennedy in close to his closed guard and prevents Kennedy from doing any damage or advancing position.

Baby! escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kennedy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kennedy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy passes Baby!'s left leg - he's now in half guard.

Kennedy is looking for a kimura but Baby! is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kennedy to get the leverage.
Baby! manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Baby! is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Baby! is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Baby! escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kennedy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kennedy trying to move into half guard but instead Baby! has managed to sweep!

Kennedy keeping moving, preventing Baby! from controlling successfully.
Baby! throws a big elbow that misses.
Kennedy controls Baby! momentarily but Baby! frees himself.
Baby! throws a strike but Kennedy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Zed Baby! has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baby! looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kennedy is one step ahead there.

Kennedy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Baby! is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kennedy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baby! swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kennedy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kennedy forces his way into half guard.
Baby! tries to roll over but Kennedy keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kennedy stalling.

Kennedy seems to be working for a kimura but Baby! defends the submission attempt.
Baby! preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kennedy looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kennedy keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Baby! is trying to control but can't.
Kennedy wants to take a breather but Baby! is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baby! fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kennedy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kennedy misses with a left hand
and Baby! counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kennedy thinking.
Baby! scores with a jab to the head.
Baby! throws a poor cross that misses
and Kennedy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baby! thinking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Zed Baby! will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Baby! throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kennedy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kennedy is looking to land body kicks.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Baby! but Baby! pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Baby! scores with a three punch combo!

Kennedy shoots in and bounces Baby! off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kennedy looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baby! has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kennedy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kennedy throwing strikes from guard but Baby! blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Baby! looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kennedy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baby! swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Baby! working a defensive guard but Kennedy passes into half guard.
Baby! tries to roll over but Kennedy keeps him under control.
Kennedy is keen to just control but Baby! is a slippery customer.
Kennedy throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kennedy is trying to control the action in half guard but Baby! is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Baby! is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kennedy pulls his head out easily.
Kennedy content to control rather than advance.
Baby! trying to control but Kennedy postures up.

Baby! looking for submissions off his back.
Baby! is trying to maintain the position but Kennedy is very close to passing his half guard.

Kennedy seems to be working for a kimura but Baby! defends the submission attempt.
Baby! is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Baby! just misses with a punch to the body.
Baby! scores with a jab to the jaw.
A jab lands there for Baby!.
Baby! slips a straight right by Kennedy.
Baby! has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Left hook, right uppercut from Baby!.
Kennedy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Baby! looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kennedy throws a leg kick but Baby! sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Baby! throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baby! cracks Kennedy with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baby! swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kennedy.
Kennedy missing with a left hand there. Baby! was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baby! throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
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!
Kennedy misses with a low kick.
Baby! throws a big shot that misses.
Kennedy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kennedy misses with a takedown
and Baby! counters with a straight right hand.
Kennedy avoids the body shot from Baby!.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kennedy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baby! manages to avoid it.
Baby! looks to land a right hand but Kennedy moved out of range.
Baby! lands a nice shot that snaps Kennedy's head back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zed Baby! comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Baby! 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zed Baby!!
During a confident post fight interview, Zed Baby! thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.