PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ansis Kaupens (ranked 1880 p4p, 3711 weight class) and Gwarsenio Hall (ranked 276 p4p, 504 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kaupens
vs
Hall

200 cm
21
190
6 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
200
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ansis Kaupens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gwarsenio Hall!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hall throws a leg kick
enabling Kaupens to counter with a crisp jab.
Hall fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hall has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hall there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kaupens throws a shot to the body.
Kaupens lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kaupens dips to his left and cracks Hall with an uppercut!

Hall gets a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Hall scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hall throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Kaupens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hall throws a sloppy head kick and Kaupens moves out of range easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaupens misses with a looping left.
A little jabbing left from Hall on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kaupens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hall is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hall on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hall fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hall with a poor takedown
and Kaupens counters with a stiff right hand.
Hall stuns Kaupens with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kaupens is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall throws the left hand but Kaupens avoids the punch easily.
Kaupens lands a jab to Hall's midsection.
Kaupens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hall tries to land a front kick but Kaupens steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hall looks to land a right hand but Kaupens moved out of range.
It looks like Kaupens has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Hall throws a hook but Kaupens avoids it easily.
Kaupens smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kaupens is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A swing and a miss from Kaupens.
Hall is trying to counter with his kicks.
Kaupens tests Hall's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kaupens scores with a body shot.
Kaupens rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hall makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kaupens lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaupens lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens missing with a left hand there. Hall was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hall throws a leg kick
and Kaupens counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ansis Kaupens is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hall throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kaupens's waist but Kaupens gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hall off to one side.
Kaupens ducks under a wild hook from Hall.
Kaupens throwing a counter right hand but Hall manages to avoid it.
Kaupens is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kaupens scores with a jab. Hall acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kaupens throws a looping overhand right but Hall ducks down to avoid it.
Hall with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kaupens to score with a decent uppercut.
Hall lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hall shoots in for a takedown but Kaupens shows good takedown defense.
Ansis Kaupens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gwarsenio Hall.
Kaupens scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hall looks to land a body kick but Kaupens moved away.
Kaupens misses the shot to the body.
Hall scores with a push kick.
Kaupens misses with a hook. Hall ducked under it nicely.
Kaupens is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hall throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall ducks right into an uppercut from Kaupens.
Kaupens looks to land a right hand but Hall moved out of range.
Kaupens with a jab.
Hall dips to his left and cracks Kaupens with an uppercut!
Kaupens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hall misses with a low kick.
Hall takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hall throws a poor cross that misses
and Kaupens cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kaupens swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hall slips under a jab.
Kaupens avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kaupens staying out of range there.
Hall fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hall has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kaupens finds it's way round the side to connect with Hall's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kaupens ducks under a wild hook from Hall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hall.
Hall is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Hall wants to clinch up but Kaupens keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Kaupens misses the target.
Hall tries to clinch but Kaupens moves out of range.

Kaupens gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kaupens is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hall content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Kaupens scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Kaupens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kaupens slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kaupens is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaupens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hall.
Kaupens tests Hall's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hall misses with a lunging right hand
letting Kaupens counter with a right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ansis Kaupens dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kaupens lands a jab to the head.
Kaupens blocks a low kick nicely.
Hall's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kaupens connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hall scrambles back to his feet.
Kaupens looks to land a right hand but Hall moved out of range.
Hall throws a poor cross that misses
and Kaupens counters with a nice uppercut.
Hall throws a right hand that misses
and Hall takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hall on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kaupens lands with a cross.

Hall clinches with his opponent.
Kaupens blocks a body shot from Hall.

Kaupens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kaupens connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hall's hands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kaupens lands a nice shot to the body.
Kaupens connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hall throws a hook but Kaupens avoids it easily.
It looked like Kaupens wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hall missing with a left hand there. Kaupens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaupens throws a hook but Hall blocks it.
Kaupens really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The fighters circling - Kaupens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kaupens keeps the fight on the outside.
Hall bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kaupens.
Kaupens throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hall moves out of range of the strikes.
Hall misses with a looping left.
The fighters circling - Hall throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A telegraphed right hand from Hall misses the target.
Kaupens connects with a right hand. Hall shakes it off.
Kaupens throws a lazy right hand but Hall sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hall throws out a counter right but Kaupens avoids it with no problem.
Hall tries to clinch
and Kaupens counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice body punch from Kaupens.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kaupens looks to land a left hand but Hall moved out of range nicely.
Hall has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kaupens slips a jab from Hall.
Kaupens lands with a right hand.
Some wild striking there from Kaupens.
Hall tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hall closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kaupens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hall throws a lazy uppercut
and Kaupens counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hall tries a low kick but Kaupens avoids it.
Kaupens tests Hall's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kaupens blocks a head kick by Hall.
Hall dives in and grabs Kaupens's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kaupens pushes down on Hall's head and hops out.
Kaupens works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall slips under a jab.
Kaupens is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hall.
Kaupens pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hall wants to counter the offense by Kaupens and move into the clinch position.
Kaupens takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kaupens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hall can do to turn this around?
Kaupens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hall moves away.
Kaupens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Hall shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hall showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kaupens manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Kaupens on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hall. Hall obviously looking to wear him down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice jab there from Kaupens.
Kaupens lands a jab to the nose.
Hall throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kaupens counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kaupens is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hall.
Kaupens throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hall counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kaupens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hall throws out the jab.
Kaupens is looking to counter punch.
Kaupens works the jab nicely.
Ansis Kaupens is winning the standup battle so far.
Kaupens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hall throws out the jab.
Kaupens slips under a jab from Hall.
An attempted straight right counter from Kaupens misses the target.
Hall wants to slow Kaupens down by chopping away at his legs.
A low kick from Hall misses
and Kaupens counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaupens scores with a jab to the jaw.
Jab from Kaupens.
Kaupens thuds a left hand into Hall's body.
Hall shoots in but Kaupens avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ansis Kaupens dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kaupens getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kaupens looks to land a right hand but Hall moved out of range.
Kaupens takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kaupens wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hall shoots in looking for a takedown but Kaupens manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hall's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hall takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hall slips under a jab from Kaupens.
Hall staying out of range there.
Hall avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaupens with a hook.
Hall misses with a wild body shot.
A big left from Hall misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaupens misses with a looping right.

Hall clinches with his opponent.
Kaupens lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hall backwards.
Good body shot from Hall.

Hall has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kaupens regains guard immediately.

Kaupens is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Hall presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kaupens creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaupens lands with a left to the head.
Hall misses with a punch on the inside.

Kaupens breaks from the clinch.

Hall gets a clinch.
Hall wants a takedown.
Hall takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kaupens lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hall lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kaupens backwards.

Kaupens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hall tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kaupens cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kaupens feints a jab promting Hall to slip. Kaupens then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hall slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A telegraphed right hand from Kaupens misses the target.
Gwarsenio Hall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaupens ducks under a wild hook from Hall.
Hall takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kaupens lands the left hand.
Kaupens fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hall walks into a stiff left hand from Kaupens.

Hall is rocked!
A decent looking cross lands there for Kaupens.
Hall is still on wobbly legs! Can Kaupens finish him?
Kaupens swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hall.
Hall swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kaupens counters with a nice uppercut.
Hall throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hall avoids the body shot from Kaupens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall misses with a hook. Kaupens ducked under it nicely.
Hall wants to slow Kaupens down by chopping away at his legs.
Kaupens is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Hall seems to have recovered his senses.
Hall throws an off balance right hand
and Hall takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hall takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kaupens swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hall.

Hall throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kaupens was covering up waiting for the punch and Hall finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hall postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Kaupens is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Hall presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Kaupens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hall connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kaupens momentarily.
Kaupens fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice uppercut there from Kaupens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hall. Hall circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Hall clinches up with Kaupens and pushes him back against the cage.

Kaupens breaks the clinch.
Hall throws the left hand but Kaupens avoids the punch easily.
Hall has his takedown stuffed
and Kaupens counters with a stiff right hand.
Ansis Kaupens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gwarsenio Hall.
Hall rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kaupens counters with a nice uppercut.
Hall tries to clinch up
and Kaupens counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaupens works the jab nicely.
Hall has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kaupens finds it's way round the side to connect with Hall's head.
Hall misses with a left hand
and Kaupens counters with a left to the body.
Ansis Kaupens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A nice combination there by Kaupens.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ansis Kaupens showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kaupens, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ansis Kaupens!