PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Makaha Kaleikini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kendrick Stagliano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaleikini's entrance music is Hell Within. A fine choice. Kendrick Stagliano will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Kaleikini
vs
Stagliano

160 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

173 cm
22
135 lbs
1 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
World class boxer
Determined

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Makaha Kaleikini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Kendrick Stagliano!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaleikini tries to clinch up.

Stagliano darts in and clinches Kaleikini up against the cage.
Stagliano wants to break free but Kaleikini has control.
Stagliano has had enough of the clinch but Kaleikini keeps him there for the moment.

Kaleikini has hold of one of Stagliano's legs. Stagliano is fighting the takedown attempt but Kaleikini gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kaleikini trying to control but Stagliano is working from the bottom.
Stagliano pulls Kaleikini in close to prevent any damage.
Stagliano tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kaleikini is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Makaha Kaleikini wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Stagliano lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stagliano lands a really nice looking cross but Kaleikini seems unphased.
A left and a right from Stagliano both land. Nice combination.
Stagliano dips to his left and cracks Kaleikini with an uppercut!
Stagliano throws a head kick that misses.
Stagliano scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kaleikini shoots in looking for a takedown. Stagliano tries to sprawl out of it but Kaleikini keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stagliano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Stagliano is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Stagliano takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stagliano.
Stagliano lands with a shot to the body.

Stagliano forces Kaleikini back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Stagliano is trying to break free.
Kaleikini is trying to pull guard but Stagliano has him pressed against the cage.
Stagliano looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kaleikini tries to work over Stagliano's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Stagliano breaks the clinch.
Stagliano dodges the punch combination from Kaleikini.
Stagliano lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Stagliano shoots in but no luck this time.
Makaha Kaleikini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendrick Stagliano.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaleikini takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kaleikini doesn't manage to clinch there - Stagliano circles away.
Stagliano cracks a nice hook into Kaleikini's ribs.
Kaleikini keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Horrible takedown by Kaleikini or perhaps it was just good defense by Stagliano which made him look bad.
Kaleikini is breathing heavily.
Stagliano shoots in but no luck this time.
Stagliano moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kaleikini fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kaleikini.
Kaleikini moves out of range of the body kick from Stagliano.
Kaleikini takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stagliano fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaleikini takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Stagliano feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kaleikinis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kaleikini leaves Stagliano with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Stagliano cracks Kaleikini with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stagliano misses with a two punch combination.
Stagliano lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Stagliano works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Stagliano scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Stagliano connects with the punch.
Stagliano is working the combinations to good effect here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kaleikini checks a leg kick.
Stagliano moves in looking to clinch but Kaleikini pushes him off.

Stagliano gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kaleikini to score an easy takedown into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendrick Stagliano dominated that 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.

Stagliano looks for a takedown but Kaleikini sprawls well.
A punch lands to the side of Kaleikini 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Stagliano works Kaleikini's body with a nice hook.
Kaleikini swings for the body but Stagliano moves out of range.

Stagliano drives through and clinches with Kaleikini against the cage.
Kaleikini on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Stagliano wants to get back to striking at distance but Kaleikini won't allow it.
Stagliano wants to break free but Kaleikini has control.

Stagliano breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaleikini tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Stagliano moves into the clinch successfully.
Stagliano tries to pull guard but Kaleikini holds him up against the cage and eventually Stagliano drops back down to his feet.
Kaleikini looking for a takedown.
Stagliano goes for a takedown attempt but Kaleikini pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Makaha Kaleikini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendrick Stagliano.

Kaleikini looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kaleikini is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Kaleikini decides to return to a standing position.
Stagliano lands with a right hand.
Makaha Kaleikini is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano shoots in for a double leg but Kaleikini sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kendrick Stagliano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kaleikini shoots in looking for a takedown but Stagliano manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kaleikini's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kaleikini tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stagliano paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stagliano throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kaleikini's waist but Kaleikini gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stagliano off to one side.
Kaleikini shoots in but no luck this time.
Stagliano lands a jab to the head.
Stagliano feints a jab promting Kaleikini to slip. Stagliano then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kaleikini slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kaleikini fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stagliano avoids it really well and circles away.
Stagliano throws a head kick that misses.
Stagliano has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Stagliano scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stagliano throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano trying to mount his opponent but Kaleikini defends it.
Stagliano trying to control from half guard but Kaleikini is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kaleikini is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stagliano thows a huge punch but Kaleikini dodges it nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stagliano missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stagliano trying to control from half guard but Kaleikini is working away.
Stagliano missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaleikini trying to control from the bottom.
Stagliano missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendrick Stagliano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Stagliano shoots in looking for a takedown but Kaleikini manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stagliano's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stagliano lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Stagliano shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kaleikini but Kaleikini pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stagliano connects with a right hand. Kaleikini shakes it off.
Stagliano lands a body shot.
Stagliano tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kaleikini swivels and escapes.
Makaha Kaleikini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendrick Stagliano.
Stagliano jabs Kaleikini to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Kaleikini clinches with his opponent.

Kaleikini's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kaleikini tries to clinch there but Stagliano circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaleikini tries to clinch but Stagliano moves out of range.
Kendrick Stagliano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stagliano keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Stagliano tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaleikini takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kaleikini throws a lazy head kick
and Stagliano counters with a two punch combo.
Kaleikini wants to clinch.
Stagliano tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kaleikini swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stagliano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kaleikini tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Stagliano manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stagliano swats away the attempt to clinch by Kaleikini.
Kaleikini tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stagliano tried to score with a low kick but Kaleikini checks it.
Stagliano throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Stagliano catches Kaleikini right on the button with a cross.
Stagliano scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kaleikini circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stagliano feints a jab promting Kaleikini to slip. Stagliano then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kaleikini slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Stagliano will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kaleikini tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Stagliano manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kaleikini stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kaleikini wants it to stay on the feet.
Stagliano looks to clinch

and Kaleikini counters with a nice double leg into side control. Stagliano won't be happy with that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stagliano tries to buck Kaleikini off but Kaleikini is having none of it.
Stagliano being controlled for a moment.
Kaleikini working the ground and pound but Stagliano is defending the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stagliano is not content to let Kaleikini control the position.
Kendrick Stagliano is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Kaleikini thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kaleikini controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaleikini wants to control but Stagliano is keeping him busy.
Kaleikini staying calm.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Stagliano is trying to control Kaleikini's posture but Kaleikini avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Makaha Kaleikini.
I think Stagliano has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kendrick Stagliano!