PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Kiptanui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mahandry Andriamboavonjy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kiptanui's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Edu Kehäkettunen - Pastaa, Pestoo ja Pajautusta (feat. Konan) . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kiptanui
vs
Andriamboavonjy

173 cm
27
171 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

175 cm
22
177 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gabriel Kiptanui!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mahandry Andriamboavonjy!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andriamboavonjy fails with the takedown.
Kiptanui fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Andriamboavonjy throws a series of punches but Kiptanui avoids them all with ease.
Andriamboavonjy misses with a body shot.
Andriamboavonjy misses with a takedown attempt - Kiptanui sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kiptanui throws a head kick but Andriamboavonjy moves out of range.
Kiptanui slips a jab from Andriamboavonjy.
A big right from Andriamboavonjy misses.
Kiptanui throws a nice head kick!

Kiptanui scores with a takedown into Andriamboavonjy's guard.
Kiptanui slips nicely into half guard.
Andriamboavonjy is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kiptanui's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kiptanui's back!
Andriamboavonjy throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andriamboavonjy is trying to stick to Kiptanui's back but Kiptanui is turning into Andriamboavonjy. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Andriamboavonjy's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kiptanui.
Kiptanui wants to stand and escape but instead Andriamboavonjy has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Kiptanui had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Andriamboavonjy defends it easily.
Andriamboavonjy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kiptanui avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kiptanui utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andriamboavonjy throws a big elbow that misses.
Kiptanui tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kiptanui utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kiptanui is looking to sweep but instead, Andriamboavonjy has passed into half guard.
Kiptanui is pressing down on Andriamboavonjy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Andriamboavonjy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Kiptanui throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kiptanui preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiptanui utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Andriamboavonjy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kiptanui is trying to keep Andriamboavonjy in close.
Andriamboavonjy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kiptanui utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kiptanui looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Andriamboavonjy works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiptanui manages to get to full guard.
Andriamboavonjy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kiptanui wants to sweep but no luck.
Kiptanui utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Andriamboavonjy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Andriamboavonjy works over Kiptanui with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gabriel Kiptanui will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kiptanui tries to score with a low kick but Andriamboavonjy moves his leg out of the way.
Andriamboavonjy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kiptanui avoids the body shot from Andriamboavonjy.
Kiptanui wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Andriamboavonjy scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Andriamboavonjy avoids the head kick by Kiptanui.
Andriamboavonjy misses with a double jab
and Kiptanui counters with a head kick.
Kiptanui is looking to clinch.
Kiptanui fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Andriamboavonjy.
Andriamboavonjy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Andriamboavonjy scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kiptanui with a lazy takedown attempt
and Andriamboavonjy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kiptanui slips a straight right by Andriamboavonjy.
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!
Good work by Andriamboavonjy as he checks the leg kick.
Kiptanui thuds his right hand into Andriamboavonjy's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiptanui avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Kiptanui looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Andriamboavonjy!
Andriamboavonjy is looking to get to half guard.

Kiptanui get's back to his feet.
Kiptanui throws a nice looking combination but Andriamboavonjy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
That kick from Kiptanui tenderised Andriamboavonjy's leg. Andriamboavonjy is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kiptanui fails with a takedown attempt.
Andriamboavonjy shoots in for a double leg but Kiptanui sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kiptanui misses with a takedown attempt
letting Andriamboavonjy counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Kiptanui. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kiptanui dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Andriamboavonjy. That did some damage!
Kiptanui lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kiptanui defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Andriamboavonjy.
Andriamboavonjy scores with a decent looking hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kiptanui.
Kiptanui throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Andriamboavonjy.
Andriamboavonjy misses with a series of wild punches.
Andriamboavonjy comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kiptanui dives in and grabs Andriamboavonjy's left leg, looking for a takedown. Andriamboavonjy pushes down on Kiptanui's head and hops out.
Andriamboavonjy takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kiptanui gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Andriamboavonjy avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kiptanui shoots in but Andriamboavonjy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kiptanui fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Andriamboavonjy - just one landing.
Andriamboavonjy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gabriel Kiptanui is winning the standup battle so far.

Kiptanui shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kiptanui preventing the sweep.

Kiptanui has gone for a leg lock! Andriamboavonjy slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kiptanui's guard.
Andriamboavonjy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andriamboavonjy lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Kiptanui working for submissions but it's allowed Andriamboavonjy to get to half guard.
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!
Andriamboavonjy working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Andriamboavonjy misses with a head shot. Kiptanui uses the momentum to regain guard.
Andriamboavonjy postures up in Kiptanui's guard and throws a big left but Kiptanui blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gabriel Kiptanui will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Andriamboavonjy shoots in and drives through. Kiptanui sprawls well.

Kiptanui closes the distance and clinches.
Kiptanui goes for a takedown attempt but Andriamboavonjy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kiptanui takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kiptanui fails with the takedown.
Kiptanui moves in looking to clinch but Andriamboavonjy pushes him off.
Andriamboavonjy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kiptanui closes the distance and clinches up with Andriamboavonjy, looking for a takedown. Kiptanui pushes Andriamboavonjy against the cage but Andriamboavonjy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Kiptanui. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Andriamboavonjy lands a nice hook to Kiptanui's body. Kiptanui takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kiptanui has a takedown stuffed.
Andriamboavonjy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kiptanui moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andriamboavonjy connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kiptanui showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Andriamboavonjy.
Andriamboavonjy tries to bum rush Kiptanui with a series of wild strikes but Kiptanui uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Andriamboavonjy!
Andriamboavonjy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kiptanui moves away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kiptanui, as that shot connected.
Andriamboavonjy swings for the body but Kiptanui moves out of range.
Kiptanui cracks the inside of Andriamboavonjy's front leg.
Andriamboavonjy blocks a head kick by Kiptanui.
Andriamboavonjy pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kiptanui back to the cage. Andriamboavonjy follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
No joy there for Kiptanui, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gabriel Kiptanui seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kiptanui throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Andriamboavonjy's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kiptanui takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andriamboavonjy throws a series of punches but Kiptanui moves out of range.
Kiptanui lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Andriamboavonjy throws a big shot that misses.
Kiptanui misses with a low kick as Andriamboavonjy jumps back.
A punch combination from Andriamboavonjy misses.

Kiptanui closes the distance and clinches.

Andriamboavonjy has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kiptanui is trying to keep an underhook but Andriamboavonjy manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kiptanui manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kiptanui trying to keep a closed guard but Andriamboavonjy is proving a slippery customer.
Gabriel Kiptanui is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiptanui controlling Andriamboavonjy's posture.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kiptanui has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Gabriel Kiptanui has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Kiptanui closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Andriamboavonjy's guard.
Andriamboavonjy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kiptanui is one step ahead there.
Kiptanui wants to control from the top but Andriamboavonjy keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Andriamboavonjy is on top in guard.
Andriamboavonjy throws a strike but Kiptanui rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Mahandry Andriamboavonjy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kiptanui seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kiptanui wants to control from the top but Andriamboavonjy keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mahandry Andriamboavonjy.
I think Kiptanui has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:28
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gabriel Kiptanui!
Gabriel Kiptanui decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.