PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Preston Wiggins (ranked 23844 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Kennedy (ranked 4793 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Wiggins
vs
Kennedy

201 cm
23
215 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

180 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Preston Wiggins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Damien Edna and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wiggins shoots in but no luck this time.
Kennedy changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Kennedy changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Wiggins looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kennedy moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
It looks like Kennedy might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Kennedy trying to control the position but Wiggins is working away.
Wiggins trying his best to control but Kennedy has mounted him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy controlling from mount.
Wiggins avoids a strike by Kennedy and manages to complete a very nice reversal in the process, to end up in Kennedy's guard! Fantastic escape!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kennedy can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wiggins with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy is trying to control the position but Wiggins postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Wiggins's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kennedy has his hands on Wiggins's head, controlling the position.
Kennedy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wiggins with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two 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.
Kennedy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kennedy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Wiggins scoring with punches to the head and body.
Wiggins has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wiggins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kennedy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kennedy looking for a sweep. Not yet Kennedy, not yet.
Kennedy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kennedy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy is looking to stand up but Wiggins isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Kennedy scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Still in half guard, Kennedy seems content to control.
Wiggins is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Kennedy sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Wiggins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kennedy controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wiggins has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kennedy is working away from the top position though.
Wiggins preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Wiggins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kennedy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kennedy shoots in but Wiggins avoids the takedown attempt easily.
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 Preston Wiggins will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kennedy scores with the left hand. Wiggins knows he should have avoided that one.

Kennedy closes the distance and clinches.

Wiggins decides to pull guard.

Wiggins throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kennedy wants to control from the top but Wiggins keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Wiggins haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Kennedy got a little sloppy there for a moment and Wiggins has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kennedy has managed to get both his arms back between Wiggins's legs - danger averted.
Wiggins has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Wiggins keeping full guard, as Kennedy tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kennedy drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Wiggins dives on top into guard.

That's two 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 wants to stand but Wiggins is controlling the position.
Wiggins trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kennedy is looking to sweep but instead, Wiggins has passed into half guard.

Kennedy looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Wiggins stops Kennedy from getting back to his feet.
Preston Wiggins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy is concentrating on defense, preventing Wiggins from advancing position.
Wiggins throwing shots but Kennedy is blocking nicely.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Wiggins throwing shots but Kennedy is blocking nicely.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Preston Wiggins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wiggins with a poor takedown

and Kennedy counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kennedy.
Wiggins wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kennedy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kennedy shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Wiggins is trying to defend but Kennedy finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Wiggins is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy drops an elbow to the side of Wiggins's head.
Kennedy looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Let's hope that Kennedy has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Kennedy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Kennedy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kennedy feints and as Wiggins raises his hands in defense, Kennedy changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kennedy wants to control from the top but Wiggins keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wiggins working a defensive guard here.

Wiggins working for a triangle but Kennedy defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Wiggins working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kennedy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kennedy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Wiggins sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kennedy somewhat.
Wiggins tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kennedy manages to circle out of the way.

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.
Wiggins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kennedy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Wiggins counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Kennedy manages to pull guard.
Kennedy is trying to hold Wiggins in close to prevent damage but Wiggins has managed to pass into half guard.
Kennedy blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wiggins.
Kennedy taking some punishment here, with Wiggins in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wiggins looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kennedy trying to control here.
Wiggins thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kennedy's head.
Wiggins not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kennedy trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Wiggins manages to pass to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wiggins has hold of Kennedy's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Kennedy manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Kennedy tries to hold on but Wiggins pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kennedy taking shots to the head.
Kennedy tries to lock up and control but Wiggins gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Preston Wiggins showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wiggins has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Preston Wiggins!