PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Niko Rupponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kelvin Keenan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rupponen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is SMC Hoodrats. Keenan has chosen Pussyface as his entrance music. Niko Rupponen had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 146.4lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Kelvin Keenan is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Rupponen
vs
Keenan

160 cm
23
155 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

156 cm
25
136 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Rupponen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kelvin Keenan!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keenan digs a good body shot into Rupponen's ribs.
Rupponen fails with the takedown

and Keenan counters with a takedown into side control.
The strikes coming from Keenan are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Rupponen is looking for a sweep.
Rupponen regains half guard, as Keenan was trying to land strikes.
Keenan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rupponen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Keenan uses his free foot to push down on Rupponen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rupponen.

Keenan looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Keenan looking to control but Rupponen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Keenan is working for a guillotine from mount but Rupponen frees his head quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Keenan goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Rupponen turns into him and now he's in Keenan's guard.

Keenan working for a triangle but Rupponen defends it easily.
Keenan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rupponen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Keenan trying to keep a closed guard but Rupponen is proving a slippery customer.
Rupponen trying to control the position from guard on top but Keenan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keenan is trying to control the position but Rupponen postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Niko Rupponen wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Keenan jabs Rupponen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rupponen is breathing heavily.
Rupponen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Keenan to counter with a crisp jab.
Rupponen tries for a takedown but Keenan circles away easily
and Keenan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niko Rupponen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Keenan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Keenan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Keenan feints and as Rupponen raises his hands in defense, Keenan changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Keenan wants to control from the top but Rupponen keeps moving.
Keenan looking to pass the guard.
Rupponen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Keenan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan tries to free his leg and advance position but Rupponen is retaining full guard.
Rupponen keeping moving, preventing Keenan from controlling successfully.
Keenan slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Keenan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Keenan trying to control the action but Rupponen is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Keenan has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Rupponen is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Keenan yanks on the arm and Rupponen is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Keenan.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kelvin Keenan!