PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

James
vs
Kennedy

185 cm
20
212 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
20
220 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, John Mangel and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy throws an ugly left hook that misses

and James counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
James wants to pass the guard but Kennedy is keeping the position.
James slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
James has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
James postures up.
James slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex James wasn't doing enough on the ground.
James jabs Kennedy to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kennedy thows a left - swing and a miss!
James keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kennedy misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James defending well as Kennedy loads up on a big left hand.
Kennedy scores with a decent looking hook.
Kennedy works over James's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Alex James has been cut.
Kennedy misses with a looping right.
Kennedy throws a right hand that misses
enabling James to counter with a crisp jab.
Kennedy slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
James blocks a head kick by Kennedy.
Kennedy missing with a left hand there. James was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kennedy throws the left hand but James avoids the punch easily.
James throws a right and a left that Kennedy avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kennedy avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kennedy moves into range and clinches up with James.
James 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.
Nice elbow from Kennedy.
James looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice left hand lands by Kennedy.
Kennedy lands an elbow inside.
James has Kennedy pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kennedy manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
James tries to score a body lock takedown but Kennedy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kennedy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kennedy dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kennedy lands a hook that snaps the head of James backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy slows down the pace here.
Kennedy lands with a left to the head.
Nice elbow from Kennedy.
Kennedy scores with a shot to the side of James's head.

James tightens his grip and picks Kennedy up, before dumping him to the ground. Kennedy manages to land in guard.
James slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
James staying calm.
James's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Kennedy manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy pushes James off but James dives into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kennedy is trying to control James's posture but James avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James moves into full mount!
James lands a heavy elbow.
James looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kennedy can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Kennedy will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alex James's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kennedy misses with a left hand
and James counters with a lovely straight right hand!
James misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kennedy.
Kennedy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kennedy throws an ugly left hook that misses
and James counters with a nice uppercut.
Kennedy lunges at James with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by James's hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kennedy. James does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kennedy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kennedy might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kennedy throws a jab but it's blocked by James.
James checks a low kick from Kennedy.
Kennedy takes a swing at James's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Kennedy finds it's target.
Kennedy lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The fighters circling - Kennedy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

James throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kennedy was covering up waiting for the punch and James finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
James is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
James looking to pass the guard.
James stays in close to Kennedy's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James trying to control but Kennedy is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Alex James wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kennedy connects with a crisp jab.
John Kennedy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kennedy misses with an uppercut. James saw that one coming.
James lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
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!
Kennedy lands a nice hook to James's body. James takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kennedy lands a two punch combo.
Kennedy lets his hands go wild with a nice combination. Left! Right! Uppercut! Spinning backfist! James goes down and covers up as Kennedy starts wailing on him! The ref watches the action closely before stepping in and putting a stop to the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Kennedy!