PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Hardin (ranked 6905 p4p, 517 weight class) and Amana Kelekolio (ranked 1647 p4p, 211 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Hardin
vs
Kelekolio

187 cm
23
189 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

191 cm
26
205 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Powerful

Paradise Health and Nutrition

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 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Hardin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Amana Kelekolio!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hardin throws a lazy head kick

and Kelekolio counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kelekolio.
Hardin trying to control the position but instead, Kelekolio has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hardin into the cage.
Hardin can't find room to land a body shot as Kelekolio controls the action.
Hardin tries to stall but Kelekolio uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short right from Hardin.
Kelekolio stalling the fight.
Hardin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kelekolio connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hardin's face.

It looks like John Hardin has been cut.
Hardin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hardin taking a breather.
Hardin is trying to break the clinch but Kelekolio has him pressed against the cage.
Kelekolio throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kelekolio lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hardin backwards.
I was talking to Hardin's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Hardin takes an elbow to the temple.
Kelekolio has Hardin pressed against the cage, preventing Hardin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kelekolio throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hardin blocks it with crossed arms.
Hardin working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hardin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kelekolio is keeping busy.
Hardin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hardin misses with the head strike.
Kelekolio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardin's defenses.
Kelekolio has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hardin seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kelekolio can turn it around.
The referee calls for Kelekolio to work.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hardin is trying to break the clinch but Kelekolio is controlling him.
A short left from Kelekolio.
A head punch on the inside from Hardin fails to land.
Kelekolio working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kelekolio tries to land a knee to the head but Hardin blocks with his arms.
Hardin wants to break free but Kelekolio has control.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hardin avoids a wild elbow strike from Kelekolio.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kelekolio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelekolio doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kelekolio throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hardin blocks it with crossed arms.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hardin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A knee to the head by Kelekolio.
Kelekolio tries a knee to the head but Hardin blocks it.
Hardin misses with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee calls for Kelekolio to work.
Kelekolio lands a right hand.
Kelekolio misses with an elbow strike.
Kelekolio keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardin's efforts to push away.
Kelekolio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardin's defenses.
Kelekolio doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right hook to the body lands for Kelekolio.
Kelekolio working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hardin can't break the clinch.
Come on Kelekolio - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Hardin.
Kelekolio keeps control of Hardin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hardin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kelekolio blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kelekolio.
Hardin looking to stall.
Kelekolio misses with a knee to the head.
Hardin trying to control the position but instead, Kelekolio has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hardin into the cage.
Kelekolio blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardin trying to control the position but instead, Kelekolio has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hardin into the cage.
Hardin is looking to break free of the clinch but Kelekolio has double underhooks.
Hardin taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kelekolio avoiding damage as Hardin throws knees to the body.
Hardin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hardin throws a head punch that misses.
Hardin misses with some punches.
Kelekolio pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hardin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kelekolio looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hardin is trying to maintain a safe position but Kelekolio gets an underhook and turns Hardin into the cage.
Kelekolio pushes Hardin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kelekolio blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kelekolio lands an elbow just above Hardin 's eye.
A head punch on the inside from Hardin fails to land.
Hardin is looking to break free of the clinch but Kelekolio has double underhooks.
Kelekolio has Hardin pressed against the cage, preventing Hardin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kelekolio lands an elbow that stopped Hardin in his tracks for a moment.
Kelekolio using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hardin is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kelekolio tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hardin avoids it.
Hardin blocks an elbow strike.
Kelekolio comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amana Kelekolio dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Hardin's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hardin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hardin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kelekolio checks a leg kick.
John Hardin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kelekolio throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Hardin counters with a stiff right hand.
Hardin lands an overhand right.
Hardin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kelekolio.
Kelekolio avoids a kick to the body.
Kelekolio tries to counter with a clinch but Hardin shakes him off and moves away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hardin. That's going to slow Kelekolio down.
Hardin misses with a low kick as Kelekolio jumps back.
Hardin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hardin misses with a head kick.
Kelekolio is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardin lands with an uppercut that bounces Kelekolio off the cage and back into range.
Kelekolio throws out a loose jab but Hardin uses good head movement to avoid it.

Kelekolio takes the fight into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kelekolio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardin is looking to control Kelekolio's arms but Kelekolio gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hardin has his back to the cage.
Kelekolio lands an elbow that stopped Hardin in his tracks for a moment.
Hardin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kelekolio comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kelekolio lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kelekolio effectively controlling the action here.
Hardin is trying to push Kelekolio away but Kelekolio has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hardin is trying to break the clinch but Kelekolio has him pressed against the cage.
Hardin looking to slow down the pace here.
Kelekolio has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kelekolio displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hardin up against the cage.
Kelekolio comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kelekolio takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hardin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kelekolio prevents Hardin from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardin tries to break free but Kelekolio pushes him back against the cage.
Kelekolio works on Hardin's body with a couple of short punches.
Hardin avoiding damage as Kelekolio throws knees to the body.
Kelekolio throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kelekolio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kelekolio lands an uppercut.
Kelekolio tries to land a knee to the head but Hardin blocks with his arms.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kelekolio.
Kelekolio lands a damaging elbow.
Hardin tries to stall but Kelekolio uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hardin is looking to control Kelekolio's arms but Kelekolio gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hardin has his back to the cage.
Hardin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kelekolio has him pressed against the cage.
Kelekolio blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kelekolio lands an uppercut.
Kelekolio connects with a knee to the head.
Kelekolio lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kelekolio keeps control of Hardin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hardin is trying to force a seperation but Kelekolio has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelekolio content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hardin working aggressively here.
Kelekolio blocks a body shot from Hardin.
Kelekolio pushes Hardin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kelekolio blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kelekolio is keeping busy.
Hardin avoids a wild elbow strike from Kelekolio.
Hardin looking to stall.
Hardin is trying to break the clinch but Kelekolio is controlling him.
Kelekolio throws an elbow that misses.
Kelekolio manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hardin can't find room to land a body shot as Kelekolio controls the action.
Hardin taking a breather.
Kelekolio lands an elbow that stopped Hardin in his tracks for a moment.

John Hardin's cut is getting worse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kelekolio lands a shoulder strike.
Hardin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hardin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kelekolio with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Amana Kelekolio seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kelekolio misses with a knee to the head.
Kelekolio will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hardin up against the cage.
Hardin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kelekolio is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted 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!
Still in the clinch, Kelekolio scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kelekolio tries a knee to the head but Hardin blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hardin.
Kelekolio displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hardin up against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kelekolio.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amana Kelekolio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Hardin's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hardin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kelekolio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hardin takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A head kick from Hardin lands but Kelekolio takes it in his stride.
Hardin throws a front kick aimed at Kelekolio's knee but Kelekolio avoids it well.
Kelekolio is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
John Hardin is winning the standup battle so far.
Hardin scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Good work by Kelekolio as he checks the leg kick.

Kelekolio pushes Hardin up against the cage in a clinch.
Kelekolio throws an elbow that misses.
Kelekolio crunches a lovely knee into Hardin's ribcage.
Hardin misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kelekolio lands a damaging elbow.
Kelekolio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kelekolio lands a nice shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kelekolio lands a left hand.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kelekolio.
Kelekolio taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelekolio lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kelekolio has Hardin pressed against the cage, preventing Hardin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hardin dodges an elbow strike from Kelekolio.
Kelekolio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hardin tries to circle away but Kelekolio has him pinned against the cage.
Kelekolio lands a nice elbow.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Kelekolio lands a vicious elbow to the side of Hardin's head that scrambles his senses and sends him wobbling down to the canvas! Kelekolio tries to finish him with strikes but Hardin still seems able to defend himself so Kelekolio steps back and lets Hardin get back to his feet - he wants no part of the ground game.

Hardin is rocked!
John Hardin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kelekolio throws a jab but it's blocked by Hardin.
Oh Hardin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hardin scores with a nice head shot.
Hardin blocks a jab.
Kelekolio throws a quick head kick that knocks Hardin silly! This fight is all over! What a finish! Kelekolio is up on the cage, taking in the applause from the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Amana Kelekolio!
Amana Kelekolio really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that MMA Underwear Laundry logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.