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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Howlett (ranked 701 p4p, 427 weight class) and Rimtas Kentas (ranked 89 p4p, 54 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Howlett might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Indestructible. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 167 cm
27
160
12 - 5 - 0 |
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176 cm
34
159
24 - 12 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Insanely flexible |
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BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, James Howlett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rimtas Kentas!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Ben Watson and Steve Erwin.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kentas misses the shot to the body.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kentas has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Howlett shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kentas sprawls well. Kentas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Howlett gets slowly back to his feet.
Kentas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Howlett looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Howlett tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kentas swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Howlett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Howlett looks for a takedown but Kentas sprawls well.
Howlett steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kentas.
Kentas swats away the attempt to clinch by Howlett.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howlett tries to sprawl but Kentas drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kentas is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howlett wants to get back to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kentas is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Howlett doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kentas.
Kentas wants to pass to mount but Howlett is defending the position.
Howlett regains full guard. Nicely done.
Howlett keeping moving, preventing Kentas from controlling successfully.
Kentas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kentas working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Howlett keeping moving, preventing Kentas from controlling successfully.
Kentas might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Howlett haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kentas looking to pass the guard.
Kentas trying to control but Howlett is working from the bottom.
Kentas thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Howlett controls Kentas momentarily but Kentas frees himself.
Kentas forces his way into half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kentas is trying to control the action in half guard but Howlett is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Howlett is looking for a sweep. Kentas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kentas throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Howlett to regain full guard.
Kentas is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kentas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Howlett swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kentas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kentas controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kentas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kentas throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Howlett on the side of the head.
Howlett slips a jab from Kentas.
Howlett attempts a counter takedown but Kentas avoids it well and moves away.
Howlett shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kentas pinned against the cage. Kentas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Howlett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kentas connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Howlett moves into range and clinches up with Kentas.
Kentas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Howlett's elbow.
Nice body punch from Kentas - that landed with a thud.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kentas.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Still in the clinch, Kentas scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Howlett lands a takedown into guard.
Kentas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Howlett defends it easily.
Kentas is looking for a triangle but Howlett pushes his legs off easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Rimtas Kentas dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
The fight stays on the outside here - Howlett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Howlett avoids the body shot from Kentas.
James Howlett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kentas fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Howlett is out of range.
Kentas connects with a nice looking jab.
Kentas connects with a nice looking jab.
Kentas misses with a double jab
so Howlett counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Howlett passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kentas is looking to regain half guard here but Howlett keeps moving and retains side control.
James Howlett overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howlett wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kentas, who protects the arm well.
Kentas is looking for a sweep.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kentas wants to control but Howlett postures up.
Kentas is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kentas gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kentas tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Kentas actively working from the bottom here.
Kentas is looking to improve his position.
Howlett is looking to take a break and control but Kentas is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Howlett prevents Kentas from improving his position.
Kentas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kentas is staying active underneath Howlett, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kentas is trying to maintain the position but Howlett is very close to passing his half guard.
Kentas is looking for a sweep. Howlett is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kentas is trying to maintain the position but Howlett is very close to passing his half guard.
Howlett wants to work for an arm triangle but Kentas is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kentas is looking to improve his position.
Kentas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kentas trying to control but Howlett postures up.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kentas throws a big shot that misses.
Howlett will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Howlett will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Howlett feints and as Kentas raises his hands in defense, Howlett changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Howlett trying to control the position from guard on top but Kentas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kentas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kentas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kentas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Howlett doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Howlett manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kentas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kentas trying to control the position.
Kentas has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Howlett is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Kentas.
Howlett works to advance to full mount. Kentas defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kentas bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kentas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Howlett is keeping the position for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that James Howlett will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Howlett misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kentas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Howlett moves away.
Kentas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Howlett was well out of range. Poor timing from Kentas.
Howlett moves into the clinch successfully.
Kentas manages to break the clinch.
Kentas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kentas connects with a body shot that sends Howlett's belly button to the back.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Howlett.
Kentas unleashes a big counter combination but Howlett bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Howlett takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kentas misses with a looping left.
Howlett checks a low kick from Kentas.
Kentas misses the shot to the body.
Kentas misses with a leg kick.
Rimtas Kentas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Howlett dives in and grabs Kentas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kentas pushes down on Howlett's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Howlett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett fails with a takedown attempt.
Howlett shoots in for a takedown but Kentas shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kentas scores with a hook.
Kentas missing with a left hand there. Howlett was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Howlett throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kentas was covering up waiting for the punch and Howlett finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kentas has his foot on Howlett's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Howlett works his way back into a safe position though.
Kentas wants to sweep here but Howlett controlling him for the moment.
Kentas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kentas looking for a guillotine here but Howlett defends easily.
Kentas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kentas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kentas looking for a guillotine here but Howlett defends easily.
Kentas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Howlett defends it easily.
Howlett wants to pass the guard but Kentas is keeping the position.
Howlett trying to control but Kentas is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett passes into half guard.
Kentas trying to hold on to Howlett's head to control him but Howlett postures up.
Howlett wants to take a breather but Kentas is having none of it.
Kentas gets full guard.
Kentas is trying to control the position but Howlett postures up.
Howlett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kentas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kentas being controlled here, momentarily.
Kentas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Howlett can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kentas isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Howlett stacks Kentas on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Howlett!
Kentas is looking for a sweep.
Howlett looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kentas is trying to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A lull in the action here as Howlett stalls from top position.
Kentas is looking to reverse the position.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rimtas Kentas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kentas 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rimtas Kentas!
During a confident post fight interview, Rimtas Kentas thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
33% |
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