PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kelii Hale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and royce bain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kelii Hale could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to royce bain's chin.

Hale
vs
bain

165 cm
19
142 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

175 cm
19
140 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Prefers standup

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kelii Hale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, royce bain!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hale misses with a head kick.
bain shoots for a double leg takedown but Hale sprawls well. He's pushed bain's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

bain shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hale's guard.
bain postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hale looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
bain thows a big elbow that misses.
Hale seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

bain thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hale is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hale is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hale rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but bain moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
bain avoids the head kick by Hale.

bain drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
bain trying to control but Hale is working from the bottom.
bain is fighting to break Hale's control of his arms but Hale is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hale knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for bain on the ground.

Hale has his feet on bain's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Hale stuffs the takedown.

bain gets a takedown into half guard.
bain looks gassed!
Hale trying to control from the bottom.
bain is trying to control the action in half guard but Hale is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hale is controlling bain's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Hale tries to get to full guard but bain has control of the leg.

bain is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hale doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time bain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hale trying to hold on to bain's head to control him but bain postures up.
Hale is refusing to be controlled, as bain sits in half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hale is trying to stand back up but bain is controlling him

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hale drives through and clinches with bain against the cage.
bain is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kelii Hale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of royce bain.
Hale lands a nice elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hale.
bain tries to score a body lock takedown but Hale shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
bain drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hale is stalling here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hale escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
bain slips a jab and a cross from Hale.
Hale tries to bum rush bain with a series of wild strikes but bain uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! bain crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hale - the referee stops the clock and bain gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hale. bain manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Hale clinches.

Hale pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
bain moves forwards but Hale connects with a nice, crisp jab.
bain closes the distance and clinches up with Hale, looking for a takedown. bain pushes Hale against the cage but Hale circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Hale has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hale working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hale stalling in the clinch.
Hale with a knee to the head.
Hale with a knee to the head.
bain letting Hale take a breather here.
Nice elbow from Hale.
Hale lands an elbow that stopped bain in his tracks for a moment.
bain goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hale prevents it.
bain is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hale pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hale landing knees to the head.

Hale breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hale throws a nice looking combination but bain bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Hale moves into the clinch.
bain being controlled against the cage.
bain wants a takedown but no success here.

Hale breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hale throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hale throws a right hand that bain ducks under and follows up with a left that bain also avoids with ease.
Hale throws a series of punches but bain moves out of range.

bain shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

bain is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hale pushes bain off looking to stand but bain dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kelii Hale dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hale wants to clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Hale. No joy for bain on that attempt.
Hale feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to bain's calf.

Hale closes the distance and pushes bain back into the cage.
bain is trying to drag Hale to the mat but Hale just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hale unloads a knee to the mid-section. bain lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hale's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Hale breaks from the clinch.

Hale has bain up against the cage in a clinch.
bain's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hale stops a takedown attempt from bain.
Kelii Hale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of royce bain.

Hale breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
bain is breathing heavily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hale.
Hale tries to bum rush bain with a series of wild strikes but bain uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hale misses with a double jab.
Hale throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale tries to clinch there but bain circles away.
bain shoots for a double leg takedown but Hale sprawls well. He's pushed bain's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
bain fails to land the takedown.

Hale closes the distance and clinches.
Hale has bain pressed against the cage.

Hale breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hale lands a jab to the nose.
bain is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hale sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hale scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hale lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hale.
Hale misses with the combination.

Hale clinches up with bain and pushes him back against the cage.
Hale prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hale slowing the pace effectively.
A knee to the head by Hale.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hale lands an elbow just above bain 's eye.
Hale working bain over with knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, Hale scores with a nice short uppercut.
bain changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hale fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Hale clinches up with bain and pushes him back against the cage.
bain is working for takedown but Hale is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hale landing knees to the head.

Hale breaks from the clinch.
Hale keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
bain shoots in but no luck this time.

Hale rushes bain and presses him up against the cage.
Hale landing some nice looking knees to the body.
bain is trying to drag Hale to the mat but Hale just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Hale escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
bain wants a takedown.
Hale unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hale breaks the clinch.
Hale throws a sloppy head kick and bain moves out of range easily.
bain fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hale defends well against a solid takedown attempt from bain.
bain shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Hale clinches.
Hale scores with a knee to the head.

Hale breaks from the clinch.
bain looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hale is fending him off so far but bain persists. Nope, Hale circles away and we're back to standing.

Hale gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Hale manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from bain is defended easily by Hale.
bain shoots in for a takedown but Hale shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kelii Hale is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Hale clinches up with bain and pushes him back against the cage.
bain looking for a takedown.
Hale is pushing bain up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hale comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Hale.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
bain has Hale pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hale manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hale will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning bain up against the cage.
Hale using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Hale.
Hale stalling.
Hale with a knee to the head.
bain is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hale pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hale leaning against his opponent.

Hale breaks the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

bain scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Hale is defending against the submission attempts here by bain.
Hale tries to kick bain off but bain keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kelii Hale dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

bain shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

bain is working for a kimura but Hale is defending it quite comfortably.

Hale manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A punch combination from Hale misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hale looks to score with a jab to the body but bain is just out of range.
Hale stuffs the takedown attempt from bain. bain gets slowly back to his feet.
Hale throws a right hand that bain ducks under and follows up with a left that bain also avoids with ease.
bain shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hale pinned against the cage. Hale gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
bain blocks a head kick by Hale.

That's one minute gone in the round.
bain slips a jab and a cross from Hale.
Hale scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
bain throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hale's waist but Hale gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing bain off to one side.
Kelii Hale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of royce bain.
Hale scores with a shot to the body.
No luck for bain with that takedown attempt.
Hale lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
bain tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hale swivels and escapes.
Hale throws a nice looking combination but bain bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
bain takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
bain shoots in looking for a takedown. Hale tries to sprawl out of it but bain keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hale manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Hale closes the distance and pushes bain back into the cage.
Hale lands a knee to the head.
Hale prevents the takedown attempt.
Hale slows down the pace here.
bain tries for a takedown but Hale manages to get underhooks.
Kelii Hale is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hale has bain pressed against the cage.
Hale prevents a takedown attempt there.
bain is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hale pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hale lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hale gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from bain.

Hale breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hale scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Hale defends well against a solid takedown attempt from bain.

Hale gets a clinch.
Hale stalling.
Hale using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
bain looking for a takedown.
Hale lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hale is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
bain drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hale gets the underhooks and prevents it.
bain drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hale gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kelii Hale has scored more points in the clinch so far.
bain tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hale crunches a lovely knee into bain's ribcage.
Hale is pressed up against the cage. bain has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hale down to the mat. Hale avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hale throws a right and a left that bain avoids nicely.
Hale lands a high kick!

Hale has taken the fight to the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hale.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
bain can't get the takedown.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hale.

Hale breaks the clinch.
A head kick from Hale lands but bain takes it in his stride.
Hale tries a head kick but it misses.

Hale clinches with his opponent.

Hale breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
bain takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Hale moves into the clinch.

Hale breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
bain dives in and grabs Hale's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hale pushes down on bain's head and hops out.
Hale lands with a slapping head kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hale!
Good leg kick by Hale there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
bain takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hale lands a nice shot that snaps bain's head back.
royce bain has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hale lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hale.
bain is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hale.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kelii Hale showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hale, 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kelii Hale!