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). This should be a great matchup!

Hart
vs
Kealoha

179 cm
20
138 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

168 cm
22
140 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Channing Hart!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keanu Kealoha!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hart shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kealoha is trying to defend but Hart finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hart seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Hart controlling the action here.
Kealoha is trying to control but Hart passes into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hart working the ground and pound from side control.
Kealoha is not content to let Hart control the position.
Kealoha is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kealoha dodges the ground and pound from Hart.
Kealoha is trying to control Hart's posture but Hart avoids it.
Hart wants to stand but Kealoha is controlling his arm.
The strikes coming from Hart are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Kealoha struggling a bit here.
Kealoha is not content to let Hart control the position.
Kealoha gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kealoha wants to control but Hart is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kealoha tries to get to full guard but Hart has control of the leg.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kealoha actively working from the bottom here.
Kealoha avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hart.
Kealoha taking some punishment here, with Hart in his half guard.
Kealoha has hold of Hart's hands but Hart slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kealoha is looking to control Hart's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kealoha avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hart tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Kealoha.
Hart not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kealoha is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kealoha looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hart content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hart is trying to work for a kimura but Kealoha is defending well.
Hart thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kealoha's head.
Hart throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Kealoha is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hart pulls his head out easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hart wants to pass the guard but Kealoha is defending well.

Kealoha actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Channing Hart dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Horrible takedown by Hart or perhaps it was just good defense by Kealoha which made him look bad.
Hart with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kealoha cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hart closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kealoha circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Channing Hart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kealoha displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hart.

Hart throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kealoha was covering up waiting for the punch and Hart finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Kealoha is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hart defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hart looking to pass the guard.

Kealoha looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kealoha manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Kealoha with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kealoha landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hart is squirming around, avoiding Kealoha's attempts to control the action.
Hart slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kealoha moves into full mount! Hart won't be happy about that!
Hart knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kealoha on the ground.
Hart is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Kealoha jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Hart manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hart tries to bench press Kealoha off him but Kealoha keeps the position.
Keanu Kealoha has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kealoha is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hart is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kealoha working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Hart struggling a bit here.

Kealoha is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hart has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hart tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Hart is trying desperately to improve position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kealoha is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Hart has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Hart!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keanu Kealoha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hart shoots for a takedown but Kealoha saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kealoha displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hart.
Hart looks for a takedown but Kealoha sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Channing Hart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hart jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Channing Hart seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hart shoots in looking for a takedown. Kealoha tries to sprawl out of it but Hart keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kealoha manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hart tries for a takedown but Kealoha circles away easily
and Kealoha counters with a slapping leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kealoha gets tackled into the cage by Hart. Hart maintains the clinch.
Hart can't break the clinch.
Kealoha trying to stall but Hart improves his position.
Hart is trying to break free.
Hart misses with an elbow strike.
Hart wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hart jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kealoha walks away with a smile on his face. Hart gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Hart closes the distance and clinches.
Kealoha slows down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kealoha pulls guard effortlessly.

Hart is posturing up here but Kealoha has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Hart tries to roll out but it's too tight and Hart has to tap! Slick submission there by Kealoha!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Keanu Kealoha! Keanu Kealoha retains his bantamweight title!