PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Darnell Donovan (ranked 24279 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Kelly (ranked 4635 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Kelly has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Donovan
vs
Kelly

209 cm
19
278 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

195 cm
25
227 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Darnell Donovan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Kelly!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donovan leaves Kelly with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Donovan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kelly feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Donovan's calf.
Donovan throws a half hearted mid kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kelly! But no joy.
Donovan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Donovan stuffs the takedown.
Kelly explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kelly shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Donovan as he jumps to the side.
Darnell Donovan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Kelly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kelly defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Donovan.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kelly!

It looks like Darnell Donovan has been cut.

Kelly has closed the distance and engaged Donovan in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly has Donovan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Donovan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Donovan is trying to break the clinch but Kelly has him pressed against the cage.
Kelly is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Donovan pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kelly tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Donovan just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kelly keeps control of Donovan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kelly tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Donovan smiles and moves away.
Kelly shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Donovan sprawls well. Donovan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kelly gets slowly back to his feet.
Kelly fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Donovan fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kelly, pushing him back against the cage.
Donovan tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

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

Kelly clinches with his opponent.
A nice left hand lands by Kelly.

Kelly breaks from the clinch.
Kelly shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Donovan as he avoids it easily.
Kelly tries to clinch but Donovan moves away

and Donovan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kelly trying to control but Donovan postures up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Donovan connects with a nice short shot to Kelly's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Donovan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kelly doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Donovan.
Kelly is positioning himself well to prevent Donovan advancing to mount.

Kelly has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Donovan is on him like a limpet, forcing Kelly back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kelly escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kelly avoids the body shot from Donovan.
Kelly lands a slapping body shot.
Donovan dives in and grabs Kelly's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kelly pushes down on Donovan's head and hops out.
Kelly tries to clinch there but Donovan circles away.
Donovan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kelly tries to clinch
and Donovan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kelly pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Kelly dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Darnell Donovan's cut.
That's time! Donovan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kelly fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Donovan avoids it really well and circles away.
Kelly goes for a double leg but Donovan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Donovan continues to drive forward.
Donovan is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kelly.

Donovan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Donovan wants to get back to striking at distance but Kelly won't allow it.

Kelly breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Donovan misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Donovan.

Kelly moves into the clinch.
Kelly goes for a takedown in the clinch but Donovan prevents it.
Darnell Donovan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Kelly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelly working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Donovan stops a takedown attempt from Kelly.
Kelly tries for a takedown but Donovan manages to get underhooks.
Kelly stalls.

Kelly breaks the clinch.
Donovan avoids the head kick by Kelly.
Donovan misses the jab.
Donovan throws a jab when Kelly was well out of range.
Donovan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mike Kelly is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kelly shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donovan connects with a jab.
Mike Kelly seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kelly fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Donovan sprawls well initially but Kelly persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kelly is breathing heavily.
Donovan is looking for a sweep. Kelly is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Donovan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Donovan is pulling down on Kelly's head to control his posture.
Kelly won't allow Donovan to sweep him here.
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!
Donovan being controlled here, momentarily.
Donovan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Donovan pulls Kelly in to control the position.
Donovan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kelly stopping the sweep attempt from Donovan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelly stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Donovan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Donovan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Donovan trying to keep a closed guard but Kelly is proving a slippery customer.
Kelly works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Donovan is looking for a sweep. Kelly is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kelly moves into full mount! Donovan won't be happy about that!
Kelly takes Donovan's back.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Kelly. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Donovan rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Kelly content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donovan is positioning himself well to prevent Kelly advancing to mount.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kelly. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Donovan tries to roll over but Kelly keeps him under control.
Donovan is not content to let Kelly control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Donovan is looking for a sweep. Kelly is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Donovan trying to control but Kelly postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kelly landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kelly uses his free foot to push down on Donovan's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Donovan.
Donovan keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Kelly showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Darnell Donovan's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Kelly throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Donovan tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kelly is in Donovan's guard.

Donovan has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kelly is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Kelly tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kelly works on Donovan's body with a couple of short punches.
Kelly tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kelly is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Donovan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Darnell Donovan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Kelly.

Donovan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kelly looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Donovan is fending him off so far but Kelly persists. Nope, Donovan circles away and we're back to standing.
Donovan is looking to counter punch.
Kelly looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Donovan is fending him off so far but Kelly persists. Nope, Donovan circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A swing and a miss from Donovan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donovan thuds his right hand into Kelly's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kelly doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Donovan holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Donovan is trying to break free.
Donovan tries to break free but Kelly pushes him back against the cage.

Kelly manages to break the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Kelly.
Kelly scoring well with a low kick there.
Donovan's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kelly under the eye.
No luck for Kelly with that takedown attempt.
Donovan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelly moves forwards but Donovan connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kelly doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Donovan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A nice leg kick lands there from Donovan.
Donovan tries to clinch there but Kelly circles away.
Kelly moves in looking to clinch but Donovan pushes him off.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Donovan.
Nice defenses there by Kelly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelly scoring well with a low kick there.
Donovan throws an overhand right that lands on Kelly's shoulder, as Kelly tries to avoid the shot.
Kelly has his takedown stuffed

and Donovan holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kelly tries to pull guard but Donovan holds him up against the cage and eventually Kelly drops back down to his feet.
Donovan stops a takedown attempt from Kelly.
Donovan is trying to force a seperation but Kelly has the dominant position.
Donovan has had enough of the clinch but Kelly keeps him there for the moment.
Donovan wants to get back to striking at distance but Kelly won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Donovan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kelly fails with a takedown attempt.
Donovan scores with a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kelly doesn't manage to clinch there - Donovan circles away.

Kelly moves into the clinch.
Darnell Donovan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Kelly is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Donovan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kelly.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darnell Donovan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kelly 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Kelly!