PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gareth Keenan (ranked 970 p4p, 2057 weight class) and Vang Poulsen (ranked 122 p4p, 232 weight class). Vang Poulsen is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Keenan
vs
Poulsen

179 cm
42
150
42 - 13 - 5

162 cm
35
148
19 - 16 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 42 - 13 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gareth Keenan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Vang Poulsen!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poulsen motions for Keenan to come forward. Poulsen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Keenan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Poulsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Keenan manages to avoid it.
Keenan is looking to score with low kicks.
Poulsen swinging wildly here.
Keenan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Keenan is looking to slow Poulsen down with leg kicks.
Keenan blocks a jab.
A counter left hand to the body from Keenan misses its target.
Keenan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Keenan slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Keenan connects with a nice looking jab.
Poulsen delivers a nice body kick.
Keenan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Poulsen misses with a wild body shot.
Poulsen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Keenan cracks Poulsen with a good jab.
Poulsen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Keenan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Keenan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Poulsen to counter with a crisp jab.
Keenan throws a one two combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poulsen ducks under a wild hook from Keenan.
Keenan bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A nice inside leg kick there by Keenan. That's going to slow Poulsen down.
Some bone on bone action there as Poulsen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Keenan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Poulsen misses with an uppercut.
Keenan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Poulsen in his tracks.
Donk. Keenan catches Poulsen right on the button with a cross.
Poulsen checks the leg kick.
Keenan fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Poulsen.
Keenan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Poulsen in his tracks.
Keenan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Poulsen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Keenan.
Good work by Poulsen as he checks the leg kick.
Poulsen misses with an uppercut.
Keenan is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Keenan delivers a nice body kick.
Keenan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Poulsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Keenan.
Poulsen throws out a counter right but Keenan avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan misses with a body kick.
Keenan needs to keep his hands up - Poulsen had a free shot at his head there.
Poulsen cracks Keenan with a good jab.
Keenan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Keenan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Keenan throws a body shot but no joy.
Keenan avoids the head kick by Poulsen.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Keenan.
Keenan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Poulsen's head.
Poulsen swings for the body but Keenan moves out of range.
Keenan is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Poulsen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Keenan misses its target.
Poulsen tests Keenan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Keenan lunges at Poulsen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Poulsen's hand.
Poulsen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Keenan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Keenan getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Keenan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Good leg kick by Poulsen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poulsen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Poulsen misses with a body shot.
Poulsen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Keenan throws a sloppy head kick
and Poulsen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Keenan lands a nice shot to the body.
Poulsen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Keenan.
Poulsen with a hook.
A slow jab from Keenan misses its intended target.
Poulsen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Keenan scores with a spinning back kick!
Keenan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Poulsen's hands.
Keenan throws a front kick aimed at Poulsen's knee but Poulsen avoids it well.
Poulsen throws a hook to the side of Keenan's head but Keenan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Keenan pushes Poulsen away with a front kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Keenan just misses with a punch to the body.
A head kick misses from Keenan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Gareth Keenan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Poulsen avoids a kick to the body.
Poulsen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Keenan cracks Poulsen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Keenan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Poulsen.
Poulsen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Keenan.
Poulsen takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Keenan lands a body shot.
Keenan slips a straight right by Poulsen.
Poulsen swings for the body but Keenan moves out of range.
Poulsen throws a body punch but Keenan moves out of range.
Keenan scores with a shot to the body.
Poulsen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Keenan finds it's way round the side to connect with Poulsen's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Poulsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Keenan.
A jab from Poulsen misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Poulsen.
A lazy body kick from Keenan
and Poulsen counters with a nice uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gareth Keenan dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Poulsen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Keenan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Poulsen scrambles back to his feet.
Keenan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Poulsen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Keenan ducks under a wild hook from Poulsen.
Poulsen has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Keenan.
Keenan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Poulsen manages to avoid it.
Keenan throws a leg kick but Poulsen moved away.
Keenan misses with a hook
and Poulsen counters with a stiff right hand.
Keenan lands a front kick.
Poulsen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Keenan scores with a leg kick.
Keenan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Keenan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Poulsen ducks under a wild hook from Keenan.
It seemed like Poulsen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Keenan.
Keenan works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Poulsen checks a leg kick nicely.
Keenan connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Keenan throws a leg kick but Poulsen sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Keenan.
Keenan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Some wild striking there from Keenan.
Poulsen throws out a counter right but Keenan avoids it with no problem.
Keenan throws a leg kick that is checked
and Poulsen counters with a straight right hand.
Poulsen misses with a hook.
Keenan missing with a left hand there. Poulsen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Keenan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Poulsen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Keenan throws a head kick that misses.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Poulsen might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Keenan has got the better of the exchanges.
Keenan staying out of range there.
Poulsen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Keenan stuns Poulsen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Poulsen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Keenan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Poulsen.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Keenan.
Keenan is looking to land body kicks.
Poulsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Keenan moves away.
Keenan quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan misses with a kick to the body
and Poulsen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
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!
Keenan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Keenan misses with a low kick.
Keenan checks the leg kick.
Keenan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Poulsen moves away.
Poulsen avoids the body shot from Keenan.
Poulsen throws out a counter right but Keenan avoids it with no problem.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Keenan lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Poulsen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Poulsen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A little jabbing left from Poulsen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Keenan misses with a low kick as Poulsen jumps back.
A good leg kick by Keenan.
A combination from Poulsen does no damage.
Good exchange - Keenan coming out on top.
Keenan moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Keenan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Keenan's corner calls for a 1-2. Keenan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Both fighters circling a little - Keenan finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Poulsen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Keenan throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poulsen blocks the body kick.
Poulsen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Keenan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Keenan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Poulsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Keenan.
Keenan takes a swing at Poulsen's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Poulsen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Keenan misses with the body kick
and Poulsen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Poulsen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Poulsen misses with a body shot.
Keenan scores with a nice right hand.
Keenan throws a sloppy body shot
and Poulsen counters with a nice uppercut.
Poulsen takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Keenan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Poulsen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Keenan can pounce on him.
Keenan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Keenan lands a nice hook to Poulsen's body. Poulsen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Poulsen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Keenan works Poulsen's body with a nice hook.
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!
Poulsen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Keenan.
Poulsen looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poulsen misses with a hook to the body
and Keenan counters with a nice uppercut.
Poulsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Keenan moves away.
A low kick lands for Keenan.
That kick from Keenan tenderised Poulsen's leg. Poulsen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Keenan lands a glancing blow to the side of Poulsen's head.
Keenan lands with a kick to the ribs.
Keenan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Poulsen.
Keenan takes a swing at Poulsen's ribcage but misses.
Poulsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Keenan moves away.
Keenan misses with a body punch
and Poulsen counters with a straight right hand.
Poulsen looks to score with a jab to the body but Keenan is just out of range.
Poulsen ducks under a wild hook from Keenan.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A lazy body kick from Keenan
and Poulsen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Keenan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Poulsen can do to turn this around?
Keenan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Poulsen.
Keenan throws a leg kick
and Poulsen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Keenan keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gareth Keenan dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Keenan throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Poulsen counters with a nice uppercut.
Keenan throws a jab when Poulsen was well out of range.
Poulsen misses with a hook. Keenan ducked under it nicely.
A slapping body kick lands there for Keenan.
Keenan throws a series of punches but Poulsen avoids them all with ease.
A combination from Keenan does no damage.
Poulsen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Keenan can pounce on him.
Keenan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
No joy there for Poulsen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Keenan throws a push kick but Poulsen slaps the foot to one side.
Poulsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Keenan manages to avoid it.
Keenan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Poulsen is out of range and Keenan settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan ducks under a wild hook from Poulsen.
Poulsen misses with a wild body shot.
Keenan throws a poor cross that misses
and Poulsen counters with a stiff right hand.
Poulsen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little jabbing left from Poulsen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Keenan takes a swing at Poulsen's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Poulsen misses.
Poulsen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Keenan at a distance.
Keenan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Keenan looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A low kick from Keenan misses
and Poulsen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Poulsen blocks a low kick nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Poulsen! But no joy.
Poulsen checks a leg kick.
Poulsen scores with a jab to the body.
Keenan misses with a left hand
and Keenan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Poulsen loads up on a big right hand but Keenan slips the punch.
Poulsen throws a shot from downtown. Keenan moves away and avoids it.
Keenan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Keenan tries to work over Poulsen's front leg with a kick but Poulsen checks it.
Poulsen throws out a counter right but Keenan avoids it with no problem.
Decent striking displayed by Poulsen there.
A telegraphed right hand from Keenan misses the target.
Poulsen scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Poulsen moves out of range of the body kick.
Keenan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Poulsen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Poulsen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Poulsen throws a head kick but Keenan moves out of range.
Keenan looks to land a right hand but Poulsen moved out of range.
Keenan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Poulsen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Keenan misses with a low kick.
Keenan connects with a body shot that sends Poulsen's belly button to the back.
Poulsen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Keenan can pounce on him.
Keenan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Poulsen counters with a stiff right hand.
Keenan scores with a nice strike.
Poulsen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Poulsen avoids the body shot from Keenan.
Keenan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Poulsen.
Poulsen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Poulsen lands a jab-cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Poulsen.
A thudding body kick lands there by Keenan!
Poulsen missing with a left hand there. Keenan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Poulsen throws a hook but Keenan blocks it.
Keenan lands an overhand right.
Good shot there by Keenan.
Poulsen throws a body punch but Keenan moves out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Poulsen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Keenan looks to land a left hand but Poulsen moved out of range nicely.
Poulsen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A big right from Poulsen misses.
Poulsen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Keenan tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Poulsen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Poulsen takes one to the chin there.
Poulsen throws a jab but it's blocked by Keenan.
Keenan thows a leg kick but Poulsen checks it
and Poulsen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Poulsen throws a jab when Keenan was well out of range.
Poulsen blocks a low kick nicely.
Keenan lunges at Poulsen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Poulsen's hand.
Keenan misses with a leg kick
and Poulsen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Keenan misses with a series of wild punches.
Good standup being displayed there by Keenan as he connects with a hook.
Keenan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Poulsen is able to avoid easily.
Poulsen throws out a counter right but Keenan avoids it with no problem.
Poulsen scores with a decent looking hook.
Keenan scores with a kick to the midsection.
Keenan throws a sloppy body shot
and Keenan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Poulsen throws a body punch but Keenan moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Keenan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vang Poulsen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Poulsen throws a head kick but Keenan moves out of range.
Keenan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vang Poulsen.
Well Keenan has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gareth Keenan!
Post fight, Gareth Keenan took to the microphone: 'I believe this is over now.'.