PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Swinghood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Kennedy (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.

Swinghood
vs
Kennedy

180 cm
25
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
23
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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, Mike Swinghood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Justin Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Hugh Johnson and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Swinghood misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kennedy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Swinghood sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kennedy somewhat.
Swinghood with a poor takedown

and Kennedy counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kennedy.
Kennedy wants to control from the top but Swinghood keeps moving.
Kennedy postures up in Swinghood's guard and throws a big left but Swinghood blocks it.
Swinghood is trying to keep Kennedy in close.
Kennedy looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Swinghood trying to keep a closed guard but Kennedy is proving a slippery customer.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Swinghood gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kennedy counters by moving into the clinch.
Kennedy jumps guard but Swinghood stands there with Kennedy around his waist. Kennedy gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kennedy is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mike Swinghood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Kennedy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swinghood drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Swinghood has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kennedy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Swinghood tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kennedy avoids it.
Kennedy tries for a takedown but Swinghood manages to get underhooks.

Swinghood has Kennedy pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Swinghood pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kennedy tumbling to the mat - Swinghood dives into Kennedy's guard.
Swinghood looking to sit in guard and control but Kennedy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kennedy preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Swinghood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Swinghood pulls Kennedy in close to prevent any damage.
Kennedy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Swinghood works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Swinghood is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Kennedy stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Swinghood has his takedown stuffed

and Kennedy counters with a nice double leg into side control. Swinghood won't be happy with that.
Kennedy wants to control but Swinghood is keeping him busy.

Kennedy is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Swinghood has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy tries for a kimura but Swinghood is defending well.
Swinghood manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kennedy wants to get back to his feet.
Kennedy looks gassed!

Kennedy kicks Swinghood off and gets back to his feet.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Swinghood sprawls well. Swinghood wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kennedy gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Swinghood manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Swinghood gets control of Kennedy's arms and successfully pulls guard. Swinghood will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Swinghood is looking for a triangle but Kennedy pushes his legs off easily.
Kennedy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Swinghood knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kennedy on the ground.
Swinghood keeping full guard, as Kennedy tries to pass.
Kennedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Swinghood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Kennedy dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Swinghood darts in and clinches Kennedy up against the cage.
Swinghood has Kennedy pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kennedy manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kennedy avoids a wild elbow strike from Swinghood.
Swinghood is trying to break free.
Kennedy has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Swinghood avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Swinghood drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Swinghood gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kennedy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mike Swinghood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Kennedy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swinghood tries for a takedown but Kennedy manages to get underhooks.
Swinghood prevents a takedown attempt there.
Swinghood tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kennedy just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kennedy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Swinghood's efforts to push away.
Swinghood wants to break free but Kennedy has control.
Swinghood lands a body shot.
Swinghood tries to score a body lock takedown but Kennedy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Swinghood tries to pull guard but Kennedy holds him up against the cage and eventually Swinghood drops back down to his feet.
Kennedy tries to pull guard but Swinghood won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swinghood stalls.
Kennedy is trying to push Swinghood away but Swinghood has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kennedy prevents the takedown attempt.

Swinghood pulls Kennedy into guard.
Kennedy tries to free his leg and advance position but Swinghood is retaining full guard.

Kennedy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kennedy is breathing heavily.
Kennedy wants to stand but Swinghood is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kennedy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Swinghood is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swinghood is controlling Kennedy's posture.
Kennedy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Swinghood is pulling down on Kennedy's head to control his posture.

Mike Swinghood has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Swinghood shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kennedy counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Swinghood moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Swinghood looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swinghood striking off his back but it's not causing Kennedy any problems.
Swinghood pulls Kennedy in to control the position.

Kennedy postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Swinghood is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kennedy, into his guard.
Kennedy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Swinghood is controlling him.
Swinghood trying to control the position from guard on top but Kennedy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Justin Kennedy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Swinghood fails with the takedown.
Kennedy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Swinghood moves into the clinch.
Swinghood tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kennedy just stands there and leans against the cage.

Swinghood jumps guard and drags Kennedy to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kennedy wants to control from the top but Swinghood keeps moving.
Kennedy prevents Swinghood from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swinghood looking to control but Kennedy passes into half guard.
Swinghood keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Kennedy is trying to work for a kimura but Swinghood is defending well.
Kennedy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swinghood trying to control here.
Kennedy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kennedy is keen to just control but Swinghood is a slippery customer.
Swinghood is trying is best to control the position here.
Kennedy is trying to control. Swinghood wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Swinghood is trying to control but can't.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mike Swinghood just wasn't active enough.
A left lands for Kennedy.
Kennedy fails with a takedown attempt.
Kennedy throws a nice looking combination but Swinghood bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kennedy fails with the takedown.
Mike Swinghood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Kennedy.

Swinghood rushes Kennedy and presses him up against the cage.
Swinghood lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Justin Kennedy has been cut.
Swinghood prevents the takedown attempt.
Come on Swinghood - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Swinghood is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kennedy is defending well for now.
Swinghood misses with a knee strike.
Swinghood looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kennedy fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swinghood goes for a takedown attempt but Kennedy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Swinghood looks to throw a body kick

and Kennedy counters with a takedown into side control.

Kennedy swings around for an armbar but Swinghood sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kennedy's guard.

Swinghood stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Swinghood clinches up against the cage.
Kennedy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Swinghood changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kennedy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kennedy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kennedy wants it to stay on the feet.
Swinghood looks for a takedown but Kennedy sprawls well.
No luck for Kennedy with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy scores with a takedown into Swinghood's guard.
Swinghood on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Swinghood tries to get out of the position.
Kennedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Swinghood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kennedy preventing the sweep.
Swinghood keeping moving, preventing Kennedy from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Justin Kennedy hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Kennedy gets caught napping as Swinghood dives in and scores a takedown. Kennedy manages to retain guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Justin Kennedy.
I've got Kennedy 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Kennedy!