PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Channing Hart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keanu Kealoha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Channing Hart has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hart
vs
Kealoha

179 cm
20
138 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

168 cm
22
140 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Channing Hart!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keanu Kealoha!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Micheangelo Fripello and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hart throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Hart looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kealoha!
Hart will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kealoha is trying to improve his position.
Hart trying to control the action but Kealoha is working from the bottom.
Kealoha manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hart's best efforts.

Kealoha looking for submissions off his back.

Kealoha looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kealoha slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kealoha keeping moving, preventing Hart from controlling successfully.
Kealoha avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kealoha is trying to control the position but Hart postures up.
Kealoha keeping moving, preventing Hart from controlling successfully.
Hart is working Kealoha over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hart really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Kealoha has his foot on Hart's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hart works his way back into a safe position though.
Hart showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hart has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kealoha is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kealoha looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Kealoha looking for subs off his back but Hart has passed one foot through into 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!
Kealoha wants to improve his position but Hart is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kealoha actively working from the bottom here.

Kealoha is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hart pulls his head out easily.
Kealoha is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hart scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hart scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kealoha works his way to full guard. Good work.

Kealoha working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hart doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hart manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kealoha trying to control the position.
Kealoha looks winded!
Hart 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hart chips away with some ground and pound.
Hart showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hart trying to control the position from guard on top but Kealoha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hart is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Kealoha is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hart tries to free his leg and advance position but Kealoha is retaining full guard.

Kealoha has his foot on Hart's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hart works his way back into a safe position though.

Kealoha looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hart stands and throws Kealoha's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Hart is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kealoha knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hart decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Hart decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Well, if Hart is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Hart seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kealoha does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
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 Channing Hart will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hart shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hart tries to stand and escape but Kealoha is controlling the position.

Kealoha looking for submissions off his back.
Hart throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kealoha is refusing to be controlled, as Hart sits in half guard.

Kealoha looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kealoha is looking to control Hart's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kealoha avoid being mounted?
Hart controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hart wants to control but Kealoha is keeping him busy.

Kealoha is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hart pulls his head out easily.
Kealoha gets full guard.
Kealoha can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hart controls the pace.

Kealoha has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hart can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hart stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kealoha swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hart got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kealoha has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hart has managed to get both his arms back between Kealoha's legs - danger averted.
Kealoha is breathing heavily.
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!
Kealoha being controlled here, momentarily.
Hart trying to control the position from guard on top but Kealoha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kealoha is looking for a triangle but Hart pushes his legs off easily.
Kealoha is trying to hold Hart in close to prevent damage but Hart has managed to pass into half guard.

Hart is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hart is trying to control. Kealoha wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Kealoha looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hart is trying to work for a kimura but Kealoha is defending well.
Hart wants to pass to mount but Kealoha is defending the position.
Hart working Kealoha over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kealoha looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hart is pressing down on Kealoha's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kealoha is holding on for now.
Kealoha trying to hold on to Hart's head to control him but Hart postures up.
Hart is controlling the pace.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kealoha looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Keanu Kealoha will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hart is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Hart gets the takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Kealoha's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kealoha tries to buck Hart off but Hart is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hart grinds an elbow into Kealoha's temple.
Hart tries to move to mount but Kealoha blocks the move with his legs.
Hart working away.
Kealoha takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Hart decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kealoha to his feet.
Hart's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hart duly obliges.
Kealoha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Hart shoots in and bounces Kealoha off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Kealoha had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hart defends it easily.
Kealoha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hart postures up in Kealoha's guard and throws a big left but Kealoha blocks it.

Kealoha had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hart defends it easily.

Hart drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hart jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kealoha escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hart gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Hart is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Kealoha has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Hart is looking to defend but Kealoha has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Hart! Kealoha pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Hart taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Keanu Kealoha!
Keanu Kealoha is the new bantamweight champion!