PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Karl Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kris Napier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Napier comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Welcome Home kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Kris Napier has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Karl Kennedy's chin.

Kennedy
vs
Napier

190 cm
21
196 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Karl Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kris Napier!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Russell Pearce and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy misses with a head kick.
Nice sprawl there from Kennedy as Napier shoots in.

Kennedy instigates a clinch.
Napier throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kennedy misses with a knee strike.

Napier drags the fight down to the ground.
Napier trying to control the position.
Kennedy wants to stand and escape but instead Napier has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Napier throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kennedy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Napier stands and steps away. Kennedy gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kennedy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kennedy!
Napier slips a jab and a cross from Kennedy.
Kennedy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Napier tries to clinch there but Kennedy circles away.
No joy there for Kennedy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kennedy lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Kennedy pushes Napier up against the cage in a clinch.
Napier with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Napier tries to pull guard but Kennedy holds him up against the cage and eventually Napier drops back down to his feet.
Kennedy landing knees to the head.
Napier fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Karl Kennedy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kris Napier.
Napier is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kennedy is keeping busy.
Napier lands an elbow inside that Kennedy shrugs off.

It looks like Karl Kennedy has been cut.
Kennedy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Napier has him pressed against the cage.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kennedy scores with a jab to the jaw.

Napier takes the fight into the clinch.
Kennedy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Kennedy breaks from the clinch.
Kennedy throws a series of punches but Napier avoids them all with ease.
Kennedy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice body punch from Napier.
Karl Kennedy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy throws a nice looking combination but Napier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kennedy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Napier displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kennedy throws out the jab.
Kennedy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A combination from Kennedy does no damage.
Kennedy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that Napier avoids nicely.

Kennedy moves into the clinch.
Kennedy tries to land a knee to the head but Napier blocks with his arms.
Napier tries to land knees in the clinch but Kennedy avoids the damage to the body.
Napier tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Napier trying to land knees to the body.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kennedy has closed the distance and engaged Napier in a clinch.

Kennedy manages to break the clinch.
Napier avoids the body shot from Kennedy.

Kennedy clinches.

Kennedy breaks from the clinch.

Kennedy has closed the distance and engaged Napier in a clinch.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kennedy is breathing heavily.
Kennedy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Napier uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kennedy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Kennedy does no damage.
Kennedy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Napier.

Napier shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Napier showed some decent athleticism there.
Napier thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kennedy's head.

Napier stands up and beckons Kennedy to join him on the feet.
Napier has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kennedy swinging wilding here.
Decent striking displayed by Kennedy there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy throws a series of punches but Napier avoids them all with ease.
Kennedy scores with a crisp jab that stopped Napier in his tracks.
Kennedy feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Napier's calf.
Kennedy throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Napier.
Kennedy scores with a nice strike.
Kennedy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kennedy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kennedy scores with a head kick.

Kennedy rushes Napier and presses him up against the cage.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kennedy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kennedy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Kennedy gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kennedy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that Napier avoids nicely.
Napier is looking to clinch.
Kennedy misses with a series of wild punches.

Kennedy moves into range and clinches up with Napier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Kennedy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Karl Kennedy's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Napier showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kennedy.
The fight stays on the outside here - Napier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Napier tries to clinch up.
Napier tries to clinch but Kennedy moves out of range.
Kennedy misses with a double jab.
Kennedy fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Napier is looking to clinch.
Kennedy throws a combination. Napier tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Napier shoots for a takedown but Kennedy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Napier takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that Napier avoids nicely.
Kennedy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Napier avoids a punch combination nicely.
Napier avoids a punch combination nicely.
Napier is breathing heavily.
Napier tries to close the distance and clinch but Kennedy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kennedy!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kennedy clinches up against the cage.
Napier with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Kennedy breaks from the clinch.
Kennedy lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A combination from Kennedy does no damage.
Kennedy throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Napier.
Kennedy lands a right hook to the body.
Kennedy tries to bum rush Napier with a series of wild strikes but Napier uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Karl Kennedy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Napier tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kennedy swivels and escapes.

Napier shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Napier is looking to stand up but Kennedy won't let him.
Napier pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kennedy is keeping the position for now.
Napier wants to stand but Kennedy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Napier stands up from Kennedy's guard - Napier perhaps looking for a knockout.
Napier shoots in for a double leg but Kennedy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Karl Kennedy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kris Napier.
Kennedy scores with a three punch combo!
Karl Kennedy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kennedy pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Napier moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy lands an elbow just above Napier 's eye.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kennedy throws a nice looking combination but Napier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kennedy throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Napier.
Napier doesn't manage to clinch there - Kennedy circles away.
Napier is looking to clinch but Kennedy is avoiding it.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that Napier avoids nicely.

Kennedy has taken the fight to the clinch.
Napier stalling in the clinch but Kennedy improves position.

Kennedy breaks the clinch.
Nice jab there from Kennedy.
Kennedy throws a head kick that misses.
Kennedy misses with a looping left.
Kennedy circles away from the clinch attempt.

Kennedy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Napier 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.

Napier has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kennedy is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Napier.
Kennedy lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Napier is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Napier is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kennedy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Napier on the ground.
Napier wants to control but Kennedy is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Kennedy dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Karl Kennedy's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kennedy throws out a loose jab but Napier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Napier shoots in for a takedown but Kennedy shows good takedown defense.
Napier tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kennedy swivels and escapes.
Kennedy moves into range and connects with a jab.
Napier looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Karl Kennedy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kris Napier.
Kennedy throws a series of punches but Napier moves out of range.
Napier dodges the punch combination from Kennedy.
Napier showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kennedy.
Napier staying out of range there.
Napier is looking to clinch.
Napier is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy looks to score with a jab to the body but Napier is just out of range.
Napier tries to clinch but Kennedy is having none of it.
Kennedy wants to clinch.
Kennedy tries to clinch up.
Kennedy misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Napier is looking to clinch.

Kennedy has managed to clinch.
Napier prevents Kennedy from breaking the clinch.

Kennedy manages to break the clinch.

Kennedy forces Napier back against the cage and clinches.
Napier trying to stall but Kennedy improves his position.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kennedy scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Napier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kennedy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kennedy misses with a low kick.
Napier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kennedy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Napier fails with the takedown.
Napier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A head kick by Kennedy misses
and Napier counters with a straight right hand.
Kennedy scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Napier doesn't seem bothered though.
Napier tries to clinch but Kennedy moves out of range.
Kennedy swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Napier counters by moving into the clinch.
Kennedy using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Napier has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Napier has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kennedy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Kennedy breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Napier doesn't manage to clinch there - Kennedy circles away.
Kennedy connects with a single shot there.
Kennedy looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kennedy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kennedy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Good exchange - Kennedy coming out on top.
Kennedy keeps the fight on the outside.
Kennedy lands with a kick to the temple. Napier shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Kennedy forces Napier back against the cage and clinches.

Kennedy breaks the clinch.
Kennedy scores with a nice strike.
Napier showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kennedy.
Kennedy lands a slapping body shot.

Kennedy closes the distance and clinches.
Napier creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kennedy tries to break the clinch but Napier is controlling the position.
Napier fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Napier landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Napier tries to stall but Kennedy uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Napier pulls guard effortlessly.
Napier wants to control but Kennedy passes easily into half guard.
Napier gets back to full guard.

Napier pushes Kennedy off and gets back to his feet.
Napier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Napier fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Napier wants to clinch.
Kennedy swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Napier holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Napier comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Napier lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Napier shoots for a double leg takedown but Kennedy sprawls well. He's pushed Napier's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Napier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A clash of legs there as Napier blocks the low kick.
Kennedy buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Napier moves out of range as Kennedy strikes.
Napier tries to clinch there but Kennedy circles away.
Kennedy throws a leg kick that misses.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Napier fails with a takedown attempt.

Kennedy clinches up with Napier and pushes him back against the cage.
Kennedy avoiding damage as Napier throws knees to the body.

Napier pulls guard effortlessly.
Kris Napier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kennedy decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Napier, up you get!

And that's the end of the fight!
Karl Kennedy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kennedy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27

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