PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tony Bunker (ranked 262 p4p, 34 weight class) and Eksem Von Ketler (ranked 351 p4p, 46 weight class). Von Ketler has chosen Bonecracker- Shocore as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bunker
vs
Von Ketler

173 cm
33
144 lbs
30 - 14 - 3

166 cm
35
149 lbs
28 - 16 - 0

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 14 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tony Bunker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eksem Von Ketler!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Von Ketler takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bunker is trying hard to land a takedown here. Von Ketler sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Von Ketler just misses with a punch to the body.
Bunker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bunker connects with a good right hand that stumbles Von Ketler. Von Ketler circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Von Ketler fails with an attempt to clinch.
Von Ketler throws a big shot that misses.

Von Ketler closes the distance and clinches.
Von Ketler misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bunker.
Bunker looking for a takedown.
Bunker is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Von Ketler is keeping busy.
Von Ketler lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Von Ketler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bunker stalling against the cage.
Bunker is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Von Ketler gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Bunker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Von Ketler lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short uppercut from Von Ketler.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bunker scores with a shot to the side of Von Ketler's head.
Bunker misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bunker stalling in the clinch.
Bunker has Von Ketler pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Von Ketler manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Von Ketler tries to throw a body punch but Bunker avoids it by throwing Von Ketler back against the cage.
Bunker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Von Ketler blocks a body shot from Bunker.
Bunker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Von Ketler takes a shot to the head.
Von Ketler tries a body shot but Bunker blocks it.
Von Ketler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Tony Bunker has been cut.
A right handed body shot lands from Von Ketler.
Bunker lands with a short shot to the head.

Bunker lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Von Ketler is looking for a sweep. Bunker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Von Ketler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bunker 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.
Well, if Bunker is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Bunker prevents Von Ketler from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are battling for position here. Von Ketler manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Von Ketler has momentary wrist control but Bunker slips an elbow through the middle.
Bunker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bunker stands up over Von Ketler, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bunker connects with a couple of short punches.
Von Ketler trying to keep a closed guard but Bunker is proving a slippery customer.

Von Ketler throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bunker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunker wants to control from the top but Von Ketler keeps moving.
Bunker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Von Ketler swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Von Ketler is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bunker defends well.
Von Ketler not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

Von Ketler is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bunker defends well.

Von Ketler looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four 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.
Bunker chips away with some ground and pound.
Bunker lands a couple of digs.
Bunker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Von Ketler is keeping the position for now.
Von Ketler looking for a sweep. Not yet Von Ketler, not yet.
Bunker trying to control but Von Ketler is working from the bottom.
Bunker is stalling in the full guard.
Bunker lands a couple of elbows.
Bunker is looking to work some ground and pound but Von Ketler has wrist control.
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 Tony Bunker will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tony Bunker's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Von Ketler looks to clinch
and Bunker cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bunker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Von Ketler tries to avoid it but Bunker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Von Ketler to the ground. Von Ketler escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Von Ketler tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Bunker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Von Ketler lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Von Ketler moves in looking to clinch but Bunker pushes him off.
Von Ketler feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bunkers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Eksem Von Ketler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Von Ketler misses with a series of wild punches.
Von Ketler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bunker.
Bunker looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Von Ketler shoots and misses
and Bunker counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Von Ketler lands a jab-cross combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bunker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Von Ketler swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bunker counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bunker motions for Von Ketler to come forward. Bunker throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bunker with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bunker.
Von Ketler works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Eksem Von Ketler seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Von Ketler clinches with his opponent.
Bunker looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Bunker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Von Ketler lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Bunker fails to land.
Bunker lands a shot to the body.

Bunker has hold of one of Von Ketler's legs. Von Ketler is fighting the takedown attempt but Bunker gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Von Ketler wants to sweep here but Bunker controlling him for the moment.
Von Ketler bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bunker's guard.

Von Ketler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bunker pulls Von Ketler in close to his closed guard and prevents Von Ketler from doing any damage or advancing position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bunker looking for a sweep. Not yet Bunker, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bunker pulls Von Ketler in close to his closed guard and prevents Von Ketler from doing any damage or advancing position.
Bunker's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Tony Bunker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Von Ketler preventing the sweep.
Von Ketler with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bunker pulls Von Ketler in close to his closed guard and prevents Von Ketler from doing any damage or advancing position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Von Ketler postures up in Bunker's guard and throws a big left but Bunker blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunker keeping full guard, as Von Ketler tries to pass.
Bunker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler throwing strikes from guard but Bunker blocks nicely.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Bunker holds on and takes a little breather.
Bunker wants to sweep here but Von Ketler controlling him for the moment.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Von Ketler throws a series of punches but Bunker moves out of range.
Von Ketler misses with a looping left.
Bunker is looking to counter punch.
Von Ketler tests Bunker's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bunker throws the left hand but Von Ketler avoids the punch easily.
Bunker on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Von Ketler tries to clinch up but Bunker circles away and keeps his distance.
Von Ketler lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Von Ketler forces Bunker back against the cage and clinches.
Von Ketler working aggressively here.
A short uppercut from Von Ketler.
Bunker wants to take the fight to the mat but Von Ketler manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bunker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bunker misses with some punches.
Bunker misses with the head strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Von Ketler gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Von Ketler tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bunker avoids it.
A short left from Bunker.
Bunker blocks an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eksem Von Ketler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tony Bunker's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bunker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Von Ketler.
Bunker has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bunker there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bunker connects with a single shot there.
Von Ketler tries to close the distance and clinch but Bunker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bunker looks to throw the jab but Von Ketler is out of range.
Bunker checks a leg kick.
Von Ketler on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bunker slips under a jab from Von Ketler.
Bunker swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Bunker throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Von Ketler throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Ketler throws a leg kick

and Bunker counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Von Ketler is looking to regain half guard here but Bunker keeps moving and retains side control.
Bunker working the ground and pound.
Von Ketler is looking to regain half guard here but Bunker keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bunker's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bunker working over Von Ketler with some ground and pound. Von Ketler looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Von Ketler is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bunker pulls his head out easily.
Von Ketler gets full guard.

Von Ketler is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Von Ketler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bunker's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bunker controlling from the top position.
Bunker trying to control the position from guard on top but Von Ketler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bunker controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bunker working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Von Ketler's head.
Von Ketler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bunker is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Von Ketler is looking for a triangle but Bunker pushes his legs off easily.
Von Ketler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bunker is one step ahead there.
Bunker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Von Ketler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Von Ketler keeping moving, preventing Bunker from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Von Ketler checks the leg kick nicely there.
Bunker throws a looping overhand right but Von Ketler ducks down to avoid it.
Von Ketler doesn't manage to clinch there - Bunker circles away.
Bunker slips under a jab.

That's four 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.
Bunker uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Von Ketler.
Bunker moves out of range as Von Ketler strikes.
Von Ketler throws a hook but Bunker blocks it.

Bunker feints and as Von Ketler raises his hands in defense, Bunker changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Von Ketler is wriggling around but Bunker manages to pass to half guard.

Ground and pound from Bunker.
Von Ketler is trying to stand back up but Bunker is controlling him
Von Ketler tries to get to full guard but Bunker has control of the leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bunker takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bunker winds up and cracks Von Ketler with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Bunker showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bunker 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tony Bunker!
During a confident post fight interview, Tony Bunker thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
The defeated Eksem Von Ketler had this to say: 'Didn't hurt'.