PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dakota Finley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Kempton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Finley
vs
Kempton

195 cm
22
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dakota Finley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joseph Kempton!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Bruno Hogan and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kempton cracks Finley with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice jab there from Kempton.
Kempton steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Finley. That one must have hurt.

Finley rushes Kempton and presses him up against the cage.
Come on Finley - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kempton wants to get back to striking at distance but Finley won't allow it.
Kempton tries to pull guard but Finley won't allow it.
Kempton tries to pull guard but Finley won't allow it.
Finley taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Finley connects with a knee to the head.
Finley misses with an elbow strike.
Finley utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Finley gets underhooks to prevent Kempton's takedown attempt.
Dakota Finley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Kempton.
Finley looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kempton goes for a takedown in the clinch but Finley prevents it.
Kempton has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Finley avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kempton is trying to force a seperation but Finley has the dominant position.

Finley ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Finley no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Finley looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kempton wants to pass the guard but Finley is keeping the position.
Finley is controlling Kempton's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kempton drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Finley dives on top into guard.
Kempton wants to sweep here but Finley controlling him for the moment.
Finley showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kempton manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Finley manages to get himself to full guard.

Finley pushes Kempton off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Kempton looks to land a left hand but Finley moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kempton catches Finley with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Finley has managed to clinch.
Kempton takes a knee right on the jaw!
A bit of stalling here from Finley.

Finley jumps into guard, dragging Kempton to the mat.
Kempton advances to half guard.

Kempton is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Finley has managed to free his arm - good work.
Finley is trying to stand.

Kempton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Finley is just riding it out for now. Kempton eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Finley regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finley trying to control the position.
Kempton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kempton has gone for a leg lock! Finley slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kempton's guard.
Kempton looks gassed!

Finley decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Finley ducks right into an uppercut from Kempton.
Kempton cracks Finley with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice uppercut there from Kempton.
Finley takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Jab, jab by Kempton - just one landing.
Kempton is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Finley had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

Finley moves into range and clinches up with Kempton.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finley is struggling to control the position.

Finley's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kempton swinging wildly here.

Finley rushes Kempton and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Finley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Finley bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kempton connects with a good right hand that stumbles Finley. Finley circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kempton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Finley.

Finley moves into range and clinches up with Kempton.

Finley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Finley takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kempton tries to bum rush Finley with a series of wild strikes but Finley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kempton throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kempton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Finley looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kempton lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kempton throws a jab when Finley was well out of range.

Finley moves into range and clinches up with Kempton.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dakota Finley will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kempton misses with an uppercut. Finley saw that one coming.
Kempton throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch combination from Kempton misses.
Finley avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kempton connects with a crisp jab.
Kempton lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Finley ducks under a wild hook from Kempton.

Finley has closed the distance and engaged Kempton in a clinch.

Finley drags the fight down to the ground.

Kempton drops back, looking for a kneebar! Finley looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Finley looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Finley!
Finley taking a breather here.
Finley looking to control but instead Kempton has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kempton is refusing to be controlled, as Finley sits in half guard.
Finley prevents Kempton from improving his position.
Finley throws a strike but Kempton avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Finley trying to control but Kempton is working from the bottom.
Finley stands and throws Kempton's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Finley wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kempton keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kempton is looking for a sweep.
Finley remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Kempton struggling a bit here.

Finley working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kempton tries to bench press Finley off him but Finley keeps the position.

Finley decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kempton to his feet.
Kempton takes a kick to the side of the head.
Finley walks into a jab.
Finley tries to clinch up.
Kempton stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kempton loads up on a big right hand but Finley slips the punch.
Kempton listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Joseph Kempton is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kempton throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Finley has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kempton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Finley just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kempton tries for a takedown but Finley manages to get underhooks.
Finley connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kempton's face.
Come on Finley - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kempton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Finley smiles and moves away.
Dakota Finley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Kempton.
Kempton lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Finley circles away quickly and effectively.
Finley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kempton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kempton.

Finley rushes Kempton and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kempton being controlled against the cage.
Kempton fails to pull guard.
Kempton tries to pull guard but Finley won't allow it.

Finley has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kempton regains guard immediately.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kempton is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kempton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Finley is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dakota Finley dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kempton stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kempton wants it to stay on the feet.
Jab, jab by Kempton - just one landing.
Kempton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Finley staying out of range there.
Kempton lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Finley slips a jab from Kempton.
Finley tries to clinch but Kempton moves out of range.
Kempton looks to throw the jab but Finley is out of range.
Finley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Finley is looking to clinch but Kempton is avoiding it.
Finley tries to clinch up but Kempton circles away and keeps his distance.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kempton.
Kempton lands with a right hand.
Finley changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kempton tries to avoid it but Finley manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kempton to the ground. Kempton escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Finley takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Finley closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice uppercut lands for Kempton. That snapped Finley's head back.
Kempton scores with a jab. Finley acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kempton scores with a jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Finley slips under a jab.
Kempton scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Finley doesn't seem bothered though.
Kempton paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kempton throws an overhand right that lands on Finley's shoulder, as Finley tries to avoid the shot.
Joseph Kempton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Finley doesn't manage to clinch there - Kempton circles away.
Finley moves out of range of the strikes.
Finley tries to move into range but Kempton moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Finley closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kempton circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dakota Finley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Finley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kempton lands a body shot.
Kempton scores with a one two! Finley had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Finley looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kempton's corner calls for a 1-2. Kempton obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kempton tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kempton lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kempton.
Jab by Kempton.
Kempton bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Finley's head backwards.
Kempton fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Finley checks it well.
Finley takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kempton throws out a powerful jab.
Finley on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Finley with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kempton to score with a decent uppercut.
Kempton cracks Finley with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kempton scores with a jab. Finley acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Finley is rocked!
Kempton connects with a nice looking jab.
Oh Finley is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Finley has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Finley there as he acknowledges the shot.
Joseph Kempton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kempton paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
BOOM! Kempton lands a beautiful left hook that drops Finley. Finley tries to recover but Kempton is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Finley lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joseph Kempton!