PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Billy Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kane Helmsley (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.

Kennedy
vs
Helmsley

190 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
24
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 New York, Billy Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kane Helmsley!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Kavanagh and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Helmsley closes the distance but Kennedy moves to the side
and Kennedy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Kennedy gets tackled into the cage by Helmsley. Helmsley maintains the clinch.
Helmsley lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Billy Kennedy has been cut.
Kennedy takes a knee to the side of the body.
Helmsley misses with a knee to the head.
Helmsley using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kennedy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Helmsley tries to land a knee to the head but Kennedy blocks with his arms.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kennedy pulls guard successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kennedy has a closed guard, preventing Helmsley from standing up.
Helmsley pushes down on Kennedy's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Helmsley trying to pass the guard but Kennedy defending well.
Kennedy looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Helmsley stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Kennedy to get to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Helmsley avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that Helmsley avoids nicely.
Kennedy is breathing heavily.
Helmsley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kennedy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Helmsley tries to clinch there but Kennedy circles away.
Helmsley tries to clinch but Kennedy is having none of it.

Helmsley closes the distance and clinches.
Helmsley with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Helmsley tries to pull guard but Kennedy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kennedy controlling the action here for a moment.
Helmsley comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helmsley misses with a knee strike.
Kennedy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Helmsley with a knee to the head.
Kennedy misses with the head strike.

Kennedy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Helmsley wants to clinch up but Kennedy keeps it at a distance.
Helmsley moves in looking to clinch but Kennedy pushes him off.
Kennedy swinging wildly here.
Helmsley moves in looking to clinch but Kennedy pushes him off.
Helmsley doesn't manage to clinch there - Kennedy circles away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kennedy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kennedy misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy misses with a takedown attempt - Helmsley sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kennedy throws a series of punches but Helmsley avoids them all with ease.

Helmsley clinches up against the cage.
Helmsley controlling the action here for a moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Helmsley.
Helmsley lands a knee to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Helmsley unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Helmsley lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Helmsley unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kennedy lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Helmsley using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kennedy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy is trying to break the clinch but Helmsley has him pressed against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Helmsley creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Helmsley tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kennedy is looking to break free of the clinch but Helmsley has double underhooks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Helmsley lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kennedy backwards.
Nice elbow from Helmsley.
Helmsley lands a body punch in the clinch.

Helmsley has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kennedy uses from the top position.
Kennedy looking to sit in guard and control but Helmsley gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Helmsley stands up from Kennedy's guard - Helmsley perhaps looking for a knockout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Helmsley plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kane Helmsley dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Billy Kennedy's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Helmsley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Helmsley as he avoids it easily.
Helmsley tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kennedy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Helmsley tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kennedy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Helmsley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Billy Kennedy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Helmsley uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kennedy.
A jab from Kennedy does it's job there.
Helmsley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Helmsley darts in trying to clinch
and Kennedy counters with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Helmsley.
Kennedy feints and then cracks Helmsley's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Helmsley down.
Helmsley throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kennedy's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy keeps the fight on the outside.
Kennedy takes a swing at Helmsley's ribcage but misses.

Helmsley tries to keep at a distance but Kennedy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kennedy misses with the head strike.

Kennedy breaks from the clinch.
Helmsley moves out of range of the leg kick from Kennedy.
Helmsley works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Billy Kennedy's cut is getting worse.
Helmsley wants to clinch up but Kennedy keeps it at a distance.
Kennedy throws a jab when Helmsley was well out of range.
Helmsley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kennedy turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Helmsley tries to clinch up

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helmsley throws a knee to the head but misses.
Helmsley is trying to drag Kennedy to the mat but Kennedy just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kennedy is trying to break the clinch but Helmsley has him pressed against the cage.
Helmsley's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
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!
Helmsley throws a knee to the head but misses.
Helmsley throws a head punch that misses.

Kennedy breaks the clinch.
Kennedy throws a left and a right that both miss

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Helmsley breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Helmsley slips a jab and a cross from Kennedy.
Helmsley tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kennedy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kennedy misses with the combination.
Helmsley fails with an attempt to clinch.
Helmsley is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kennedy.
Kane Helmsley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fight stays on the outside here - Helmsley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Helmsley tries to clinch up but Kennedy circles away and keeps his distance.
Helmsley throws a head kick but Kennedy moves out of range.
Helmsley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice takedown defense from Helmsley. No joy for Kennedy on that attempt.
Kennedy keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helmsley connects with a high kick.
Helmsley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Helmsley tries to bum rush Kennedy with a series of wild strikes but Kennedy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kennedy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kennedy circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kennedy counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kennedy throws a lazy head kick
and Helmsley counters with a good, hard body kick but Kennedy shrugs it off.
Helmsley fails with an attempt to clinch.
Helmsley is looking to clinch but Kennedy is avoiding it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Helmsley moves in looking to clinch but Kennedy pushes him off.
Kennedy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Helmsley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Helmsley is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kane Helmsley showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Billy Kennedy's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Helmsley tries to clinch but Kennedy moves away
and Kennedy counters with a nice leg kick.
Kennedy shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Helmsley defends it nicely.
Kennedy throws a right hand that Helmsley ducks under and follows up with a left that Helmsley also avoids with ease.
Helmsley tries to clinch up.
Helmsley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Helmsley is looking to clinch.
Kennedy shoots in looking for a takedown. Helmsley tries to sprawl out of it but Kennedy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Helmsley manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kennedy takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Helmsley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Helmsley tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helmsley throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Helmsley fails in his attempt to clinch.
Helmsley lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kennedy circles away quickly and effectively.

Helmsley clinches up against the cage.

Helmsley breaks the clinch.
Helmsley is looking to clinch but Kennedy is avoiding it.
Kennedy fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Billy Kennedy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Helmsley tries to close the distance and clinch but Kennedy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kennedy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Helmsley is looking to clinch.
Helmsley checks a leg kick nicely.

Helmsley takes the fight into the clinch.
Kennedy is trying to break the clinch but Helmsley is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Helmsley gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A knee to the head by Helmsley.
Helmsley misses with a knee strike.

Helmsley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Helmsley.
Helmsley looks to clinch
and Kennedy counters with a good low kick that Helmsley was not able to check.
Helmsley shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kennedy as he avoids it easily.
Kennedy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
Helmsley moves to clinch but Kennedy breaks away
and Kennedy counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A good leg kick by Kennedy.
Helmsley tries to clinch but Kennedy is having none of it.

Helmsley gets a clinch.
Helmsley looking to throw knees to the head but Kennedy is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy breaks from the clinch.
Helmsley wants to clinch but Kennedy slips to the side
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Helmsley throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Helmsley fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kennedy scores with a body shot.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that Helmsley avoids nicely.
Kennedy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Helmsley manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Helmsley gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kennedy managing to block the knees to the body from Helmsley.

Kennedy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Helmsley doesn't manage to clinch there - Kennedy circles away.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Helmsley scores with a takedown into Kennedy's guard.
Helmsley wants to stand but Kennedy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Helmsley gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kennedy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Helmsley moves in looking to clinch but Kennedy pushes him off.
Kennedy throws a combination. Helmsley tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Helmsley tries to clinch but Kennedy moves out of range.
Kennedy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Helmsley is fending him off so far but Kennedy persists. Nope, Helmsley circles away and we're back to standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kennedy misses the shot to the body.
Helmsley wants to clinch up but Kennedy keeps it at a distance.
Billy Kennedy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kane Helmsley is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Helmsley tries to clinch there but Kennedy circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kane Helmsley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Helmsley has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kane Helmsley!