PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Kelso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kelso comes into the arena with That 70's Show Theme Music blaring out of the sound system. Michael Kelso is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Kelso
vs
Rhodes

190 cm
21
176 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

188 cm
23
180 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

Boomerang! Costume Shop ($12 Fun Gear)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michael Kelso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, James Rhodes!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Damien Edna and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rhodes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kelso.
Rhodes leaves Kelso with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rhodes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kelso was well out of range. Poor timing from Rhodes.
Kelso dodges the punch combination from Rhodes.
A slow jab from Kelso misses its intended target.
Kelso dodges the punch combination from Rhodes.
Kelso looks to land a left hand but Rhodes moved out of range nicely.
Kelso looks to land a left hand but Rhodes moved out of range nicely.
Kelso on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rhodes. Rhodes obviously looking to wear him down.
Kelso looks to land a right hand but Rhodes moved out of range.
Rhodes ducks under a wild hook from Kelso.
Nice sprawl there from Rhodes as Kelso shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rhodes lands with an uppercut that bounces Kelso off the cage and back into rage.
Kelso swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kelso showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rhodes.
Rhodes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kelso scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rhodes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kelso.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelso throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rhodes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rhodes tries a head kick but it misses.
Kelso pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rhodes throws a sloppy head kick and Kelso moves out of range easily.
Rhodes misses with a double jab
and Kelso counters with a right hand to the body.
Rhodes slips a jab from Kelso.
Kelso swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rhodes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Michael Kelso seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rhodes.
Rhodes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kelso throws out the jab.
Kelso loads up on a big right hand but Rhodes slips the punch.
Rhodes scores with a nice head shot.
Kelso misses with a looping right.
Kelso throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rhodes moves out of range as Kelso strikes.

Rhodes looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rhodes content to control rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelso wants to control but Rhodes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kelso is looking to improve his position.
Rhodes is pressing down on Kelso's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kelso is holding on for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kelso is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kelso actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kelso looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rhodes staying out of range there.
Kelso ducks under a wild hook from Rhodes.
Rhodes falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kelso counters with a straight right hand.
A slow jab from Kelso misses its intended target.
Kelso darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rhodes falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kelso counters with a straight right hand.
Rhodes jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rhodes slips under a jab from Kelso.
Rhodes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kelso.
Rhodes throws a leg kick but Kelso moved away.
Kelso looks to land a left hand but Rhodes moved out of range nicely.
Kelso looks to score with a jab to the body but Rhodes is just out of range.
Rhodes ducks under a wild hook from Kelso.
Rhodes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rhodes throws out a powerful jab.
Kelso pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kelso misses with a body shot.
Rhodes throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rhodes takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rhodes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kelso.
Rhodes connects with a jab.

Rhodes drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Kelso bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Rhodes thuds a left hand into Kelso's body.
A big right from Kelso misses.
Kelso misses with a straight left.
Rhodes lands with a nice combination. Kelso backs away looking to recover.
Rhodes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rhodes throws a body punch but Kelso moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Rhodes dominated that round.
That's time! Kelso's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kelso scores with a nice right hand.

Kelso has managed to clinch.

Kelso manages to break the clinch.
Rhodes blocks a jab.
Kelso slips a jab and a cross from Rhodes.
Rhodes misses with a double jab

and Kelso holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Rhodes breaks the clinch.
Kelso throws a looping overhand right but Rhodes ducks down to avoid it.
Rhodes ducks under a wild hook from Kelso.
Rhodes fails to land with a series of punches.
Kelso jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rhodes throws a series of punches but Kelso moves out of range.
Rhodes throws a series of punches but Kelso moves out of range.
A jab from Kelso finds it's way through Rhodes's defenses.
Rhodes blocks a jab.
Rhodes ducks under a wild hook from Kelso.
Danga de danga de dang - Rhodes scores with a four punch combination!
Nice defenses there by Kelso.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes stalks Kelso and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kelso's face. Kelso staggers backwards, shaken.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kelso.
Rhodes misses with a wild combination.
Kelso misses with a hook.
Kelso is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kelso has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rhodes finds it's way round the side to connect with Kelso's head.
Rhodes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kelso.
Rhodes circles away from the clinch attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Kelso misses the target.
Kelso lands a jab.
James Rhodes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kelso pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kelso checks a leg kick.
Rhodes misses with a low kick.
Kelso throws a sloppy body shot
and Rhodes counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kelso missing with a left hand there. Rhodes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kelso scores with a nice strike.
Kelso misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rhodes!
Rhodes connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rhodes looks to throw the jab but Kelso is out of range.
Kelso keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kelso throws the left hand but Rhodes avoids the punch easily.
Rhodes swats away the attempt to clinch by Kelso.
Rhodes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kelso.
Kelso throws out a loose jab but Rhodes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kelso connects with a nice looking jab.
Kelso has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rhodes finds it's way round the side to connect with Kelso's head.
Rhodes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kelso.

Rhodes looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rhodes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kelso keeping full guard, as Rhodes tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kelso looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rhodes sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kelso is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rhodes is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kelso looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rhodes is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rhodes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kelso defends it nicely.
Kelso has his takedown stuffed
and Rhodes counters with a left and a right that stings Kelso.
Kelso throws a jab but it's blocked by Rhodes.
Kelso tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rhodes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kelso moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rhodes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rhodes throws the left hand but Kelso avoids the punch easily.
Kelso wants to clinch.
Kelso loads up on a big right hand but Rhodes slips the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Rhodes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Rhodes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kelso.
Kelso throws a series of punches but Rhodes avoids them all with ease.
Kelso fails with the takedown
and Rhodes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kelso looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rhodes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kelso.
The crowd cheers as Rhodes lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kelso doesn't seem phased though.
Kelso tries for a takedown but Rhodes circles away easily

and Rhodes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rhodes.
Rhodes is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Kelso working for a triangle but Rhodes defends it easily.
Kelso is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes preventing the sweep.
Rhodes is stalling in the full guard.

Kelso has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rhodes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Kelso escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rhodes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rhodes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kelso. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kelso tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rhodes throws the kick towards the body but Kelso avoids it.
Rhodes circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rhodes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rhodes scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kelso in his tracks.
Danga de danga de dang - Rhodes scores with a four punch combination!
Kelso looks to land a right hand but Rhodes moved out of range.
Rhodes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rhodes lands a nice hook to Kelso's body. Kelso takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kelso showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rhodes.
Rhodes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kelso misses with a takedown attempt
and Rhodes counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Kelso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A lazy left from Rhodes finds it's target.
Decent striking displayed by Rhodes there.
Kelso waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rhodes.
Rhodes looks to land a combination but Kelso avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelso throws a hook but Rhodes blocks it.
Rhodes circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rhodes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kelso takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rhodes.
Rhodes digs a good body shot into Kelso's ribs.
Rhodes moves away from the strike by Kelso.
Danga de danga de dang - Rhodes scores with a four punch combination!
Kelso missing with a left hand there. Rhodes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Danga de danga de dang - Rhodes scores with a four punch combination!

Rhodes gets the takedown into side control.
Rhodes controls the position.
Kelso is looking for a sweep.
Rhodes controlling the position from side mount.
Kelso tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes tries to move into full mount but can't pass Kelso's legs.
Kelso wants to control but Rhodes postures up.
Kelso tries to escape but Rhodes is in control.
Michael Kelso has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rhodes lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kelso throws a shot from downtown. Rhodes moves away and avoids it.
Rhodes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Kelso misses the target.
James Rhodes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kelso throws a hook but Rhodes avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Rhodes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rhodes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Rhodes!