PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khalil Kelly (ranked 4713 p4p, 467 weight class) and Henry Lombard (ranked 4787 p4p, 472 weight class). Henry Lombard has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Khalil Kelly's chin.

Kelly
vs
Lombard

190 cm
25
180 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Experienced

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Khalil Kelly!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Henry Lombard !
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lombard shoots in and bounces Kelly off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lombard scoring with some ground and pound.
Lombard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lombard is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kelly is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lombard is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lombard is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lombard won't allow Kelly to get back to his feet.
Kelly can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lombard controls the pace.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Lombard is standing up over Kelly. Kelly looks to escape but Lombard dives into side control.
Kelly bucks up and tries to throw Lombard off but instead Lombard has got his back!
Kelly is trying to stand back up.

Kelly showing good submission defense here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lombard has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Kelly.
Kelly is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Lombard is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lombard trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Kelly doesn't escape.

Lombard looking to break Kelly's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Kelly remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Lombard will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lombard has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Lombard scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Lombard is landing with strikes. Kelly can't take much more of this.
We've been informed that Lombard has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Kelly is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Lombard controls the action.
Kelly trying to get back to his feet but Lombard is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kelly is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Kelly is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Lombard scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Lombard keeps control of the position easily here as Kelly tries to buck him off.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kelly trying to get back to his feet but Lombard is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Lombard dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lombard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kelly.
Lombard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kelly throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lombard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A combination from Kelly does no damage.
Kelly throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lombard fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Lombard throws a nice looking combination but Kelly bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kelly swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kelly throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lombard .
Kelly throws an off balance right hand
and Lombard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lombard tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Khalil Kelly seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly throws a series of punches but Lombard moves out of range.
Lombard looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lombard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As Kelly backs off Lombard throws a huge counter combo but Kelly manages to avoid it all.
Lombard avoids the body shot from Kelly.
Kelly tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lombard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kelly somewhat.
Kelly misses with an uppercut. Lombard saw that one coming.
Kelly throws a series of punches but Lombard avoids them all with ease.
Kelly misses with a wild combination.
Kelly looks to score with a jab to the body but Lombard is just out of range.
Khalil Kelly is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelly looks for a takedown but Lombard sprawls well.
Kelly throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lombard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Lombard bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Lombard is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kelly knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kelly is trying to buck Lombard off.
Kelly being controlled for a moment.
Lombard looks up at the clock and then as Kelly takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Lombard smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelly pushes Lombard away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Lombard gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Kelly is working to avoid the ground and pound but Lombard connects with a decent elbow.
Lombard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Check out the look on Lombard 's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kelly is letting Lombard control him for a moment.

Lombard is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kelly knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kelly being controlled for a moment.

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.
Lombard scores with punches from side control.
Lombard controlling the position from side mount.
Lombard landing strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lombard just content to control the position.
Kelly is not content to let Lombard control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Lombard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lombard darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kelly pushes Lombard off but Lombard dives into side control.
Lombard content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Lombard lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kelly down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Lombard is continuing to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly wants to get back to his feet but Lombard drags him back down.
Lombard is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Kelly will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Lombard 's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Kelly on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kelly tries to get out of the position.
Lombard scoring with punches from side control.
Lombard moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Lombard trying to control the action but Kelly is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lombard lands some shots froms side control.
Kelly tries to escape but Lombard is in control.
Lombard scoring with punches and elbows.
Lombard lands an elbow.
Lombard content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Lombard landing strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelly is trying to get back to his feet.
Lombard taking a breather here.
Lombard lands a nice forearm strike.
You can see the frustration on Kelly's face as Lombard controls the position.
Lombard scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Kelly to see if he's OK.
Lombard slows the pace down.
Kelly knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lombard on the ground.
Kelly takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Lombard landing a few strikes.
Lombard is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Kelly will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lombard works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Lombard landing strikes.
Lombard has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Lombard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Lombard is landing with some decent strikes but Kelly is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kelly is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Henry Lombard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lombard scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Khalil Kelly has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Henry Lombard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Lombard looking to secure an arm triangle but Kelly defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Henry Lombard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lombard winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 26:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henry Lombard !