PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sylvain Lievremont (ranked 2485 p4p, 2080 weight class) and Wilfred Keter (ranked 258 p4p, 223 weight class). Lievremont comes to the cage accompanied by Stromae - Papaoutai. Wilfred Keter will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Lievremont
vs
Keter

167 cm
31
156
9 - 8 - 0

179 cm
24
153
8 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

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 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sylvain Lievremont!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Wilfred Keter!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keter throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lievremont lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Keter circles away quickly and effectively.
Lievremont walks into a left hand.
Keter throws a jab when Lievremont was well out of range.
Keter with a jab.
Lievremont has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Some bone on bone action there as Lievremont checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Lievremont throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Keter tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lievremont is in Keter's guard.
Lievremont trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lievremont accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Keter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lievremont in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Keter wants to sweep here but Lievremont controlling him for the moment.

Lievremont drops back looking for a leg! Keter is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Keter manages to kick Lievremont off! Lievremont jumps back into Keter's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lievremont in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lievremont is looking to work some ground and pound but Keter has wrist control.
Lievremont has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lievremont stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Keter swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lievremont wants to control from the top but Keter keeps moving.
Lievremont sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Keter's guard.
Lievremont seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Keter does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lievremont tries to pass to full mount but Keter defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Keter is refusing to be controlled, as Lievremont sits in half guard.
Keter trying to control here.
Keter tries to roll over but Lievremont keeps him under control.

Lievremont seems to be looking for submissions.
Lievremont scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Keter trying to control here.
Lievremont perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Lievremont lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lievremont is looking to stall here but Keter recovers full guard.
Lievremont is looking to work some ground and pound but Keter has wrist control.

Lievremont drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lievremont jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lievremont trying to control the position from guard on top but Keter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lievremont throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Keter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lievremont stopping the sweep attempt from Keter.
Keter really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lievremont. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Keter working a defensive guard here.
Lievremont might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Keter looking for a sweep. Not yet Keter, not yet.
Lievremont 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.
Lievremont working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Keter keeping moving, preventing Lievremont from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lievremont shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Keter as he avoids it easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Keter.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Keter. Lievremont does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lievremont half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Keter throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lievremont on the side of the head.
Keter throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
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 Sylvain Lievremont will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Keter throws a sloppy head kick and Lievremont moves out of range easily.
Keter pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Keter thows a leg kick but Lievremont checks it

and Lievremont counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Lievremont is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Lievremont is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Keter can do to turn this around?
Lievremont throwing strikes but missing.
Keter wants to sweep here but Lievremont controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lievremont drops back looking for a leg! Keter is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Keter manages to kick Lievremont off! Lievremont jumps back into Keter's guard.
Lievremont controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lievremont is pushing down on Keter's leg trying to pass to half guard. Keter is fighting to maintain full guard but Lievremont has managed to sneak the leg through.

Lievremont is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Keter is just riding it out for now. Lievremont eventually gives up the hold.

Lievremont is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Keter trying to control but Lievremont postures up.
Keter wants to improve his position but Lievremont is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Lievremont seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lievremont is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lievremont wants to free his trapped foot but Keter is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Lievremont is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Keter trying to control here.
Sylvain Lievremont overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lievremont trying to pass the guard but Keter defending well.

Lievremont is working for a kimura but Keter is defending it quite comfortably.
Keter trying to hold on to Lievremont's head to control him but Lievremont postures up.
Lievremont wants to pass to mount but Keter is defending the position.
Keter is trying to maintain the position but Lievremont is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A low kick from Keter is predictable there

and Lievremont counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lievremont is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lievremont content to control rather than advance.
Keter controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Lievremont thows a huge punch but Keter dodges it nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Keter manages to get to full guard.
Keter is trying to control the position but Lievremont postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sylvain Lievremont dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Lievremont takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Lievremont smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Keter throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Keter swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Keter throws a leg kick which misses Lievremont's front leg but catches the back leg as Lievremont tries to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Keter.
Keter throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Both fighters circling a little - Keter finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Keter moves away from the strike by Lievremont.
Wilfred Keter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keter throws a head kick that half lands.
Lievremont checks a leg kick nicely.
Keter swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lievremont closes this distance looking for a takedown but Keter circles away.
Keter dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lievremont. That did some damage!
Keter with a hook.

Lievremont fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Keter to the ground. Lievremont is now in Keter's guard.
Lievremont pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Keter is keeping the position for now.
Lievremont in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lievremont trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Keter manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Lievremont looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lievremont trying to control the position.
Lievremont pulls Keter in close to prevent any damage.
Wilfred Keter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lievremont isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Keter stacks Lievremont on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Keter!
The referee asks Keter politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Keter prefers to stall for the moment though.
Lievremont tries to buck Keter off but Keter is having none of it.
Lievremont is not content to let Keter control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lievremont is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keter trying to control the action but Lievremont is working from the bottom.
Keter controlling the position from side mount.
Keter wants to control but Lievremont is keeping him busy.
Lievremont is trying to get back to half guard.
Lievremont gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lievremont is trying to maintain the position but Keter is very close to passing his half guard.
Lievremont is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lievremont wants to control but Keter is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Keter tried to score with a low kick but Lievremont checks it.
Lievremont tries to counter with a takedown but Keter is quick to defend against it.
Lievremont throws a jab but it's blocked by Keter.
Keter drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lievremont defends it well.
Keter misses with a leg kick

and Lievremont counters with a takedown into side control.

Lievremont is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Keter knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Lievremont thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wilfred Keter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lievremont 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sylvain Lievremont!
Sylvain Lievremont took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.