PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Vidal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Penn
vs
Vidal

187 cm
19
150 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

173 cm
18
143 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kenny Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Vidal!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Penn decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Penn wants to stand up but Vidal has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Penn prevents Vidal from improving his position.
Vidal is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Vidal moves into full guard.
Penn wants to control from the top but Vidal keeps moving.
Vidal tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Penn looking to pass the guard.
Penn stopping the sweep attempt from Vidal.
Vidal manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Vidal is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Penn has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Penn!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn is standing up over Vidal. Vidal looks to escape but Penn dives into side control.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Penn postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Penn is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Vidal's shoulder. That is not cool.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Vidal is not content to let Penn control the position.
Vidal is looking to regain half guard here but Penn keeps moving and retains side control.
Vidal gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn controlling the action here.
Penn is breathing heavily.
Penn frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Vidal is looking to improve his position but Penn isn't that keen on the idea.
You get the feeling that Vidal really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Penn tries to control but Vidal wriggling away.
Vidal is wriggling around trying to escape.
Penn trying to control but Vidal is having none of it.

Penn goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Vidal is on top in guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vidal wants to stand but Penn has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Penn dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Penn circles away from the clinch attempt.
Penn moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Penn is looking to slow Vidal down with leg kicks.
Vidal lands a really nice looking cross but Penn seems unphased.
Penn looks for a takedown but Vidal sprawls well.
Vidal throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Penn counters by moving into the clinch.
Vidal missing with knees to the body.
Penn has had enough of the clinch but Vidal keeps him there for the moment.
Penn slows down the pace here.
Vidal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vidal tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Penn has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vidal avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vidal tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Penn smiles and moves away.

Vidal drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Vidal puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Penn gets back to full guard.
Vidal trying to stand up but can't free himself from Penn's guard.
Vidal is fighting to break Penn's control of his arms but Penn is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Penn is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vidal is controlling him.

Penn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vidal wants to pass the guard but Penn is keeping the position.
Penn wants to sweep here but Vidal controlling him for the moment.

Vidal drops back, looking for a kneebar! Penn looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Penn looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Penn!
A lull in the action here as Penn stalls from top position.
Penn trying to control the action but Vidal is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn controls the position.
Vidal is pushing Penn's head away, looking to escape. Penn manages to hold on to the position though.

Penn stands up and we're back to a striking position.
John Vidal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Vidal closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Penn to the mat! Penn manages to get full guard.

Penn manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vidal wants to clinch but Penn slips to the side

and Penn decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Vidal's guard.

Penn avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Vidal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Penn throwing strikes from guard but Vidal blocks nicely.
Penn really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). John Vidal!