PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brett Keane (ranked 1458 p4p, 1134 weight class) and Christopher Irwin (ranked 172 p4p, 130 weight class). Brett Keane has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Keane
vs
Irwin

175 cm
22
155
7 - 6 - 0

150 cm
31
148
10 - 5 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brett Keane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christopher Irwin!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Wagner Zegers and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keane throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Keane gets caught flat footed, as Irwin shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Irwin is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Keane is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Keane has escaped and now he's on top!

Irwin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Keane thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Keane trying to control the position from guard on top but Irwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Our spies down at at Kalashnikov ELITE MMA Gym inform us that Irwin has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irwin working a defensive guard here.

Irwin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Irwin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Keane's guard.

Irwin content to stall in guard here.
Irwin trying to control the position from guard on top but Keane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Irwin passes Keane's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Keane tries to roll over but Irwin keeps him under control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Irwin in particular looking to stall.
Keane is not content to let Irwin control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Irwin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Well, if Irwin 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.
Irwin trying to control from half guard but Keane is working away.

Keane actively working from the bottom here.

Irwin is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irwin trying to mount his opponent but Keane defends it.

Irwin seems to be looking for submissions.
Keane is looking to improve his position.
Keane is refusing to be controlled, as Irwin sits in half guard.
Irwin wants to pass to mount but Keane is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Irwin is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Keane reverses the position - he's now on top in Irwin's guard.
Irwin keeping moving, preventing Keane from controlling successfully.
Irwin has his hands on Keane's head, controlling the position.
Irwin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Keane preventing the sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Irwin is pulling down on Keane's head. It's preventing any offense from Keane, at least for the moment.
Keane trying to control the position from guard on top but Irwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Irwin dominated that round.
That's time! Keane's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Keane misses with a looping right.
Irwin drops his hands momentarily and Keane takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A big left from Keane misses.
And Irwin tries to counter it with a takedown but Keane pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Keane throws a looping overhand right but Irwin ducks down to avoid it.
Irwin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Irwin walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Keane, as that shot connected.

Keane gets caught flat footed, as Irwin shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Keane working for a triangle but Irwin defends it easily.
Keane seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Keane had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Irwin defends it easily.
Irwin wants to control from the top but Keane keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Irwin is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Keane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Irwin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Irwin tries to free his leg and advance position but Keane is retaining full guard.

Keane looking for a guillotine here but Irwin defends easily.
Irwin wants to control from the top but Keane keeps moving.

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.

Keane working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Irwin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Irwin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Irwin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

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

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Keane lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keane circles away from the clinch attempt.
Keane defending well as Irwin loads up on a big left hand.
Irwin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Keane.
Keane pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Keane misses with a straight left.
A swing and a miss from Keane.

Keane gets tackled into the cage by Irwin. Irwin maintains the clinch.
Irwin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Keane gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Keane lands a left hand that snaps the head of Irwin backwards.
Keane scores with a shot to the side of Irwin's head.
Irwin is looking for a takedown.

Irwin turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Irwin manages to end up in side control.
Irwin trying to control the position but Keane is working away.

Irwin goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Keane has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Irwin but great work by Keane.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Keane thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Irwin keeps Keane under control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Keane is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Irwin is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Christopher Irwin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Irwin is trying to get back to half guard.

Keane is trying to get an arm triangle but Irwin is defending well.
Irwin tries to bench press Keane off him but Keane keeps the position.
Irwin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Keane will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Irwin won't allow Keane to pass to mount.
Irwin wants to control but Keane is keeping busy.

Keane seems to be looking for submissions.
Keane is trying to control the action in half guard but Irwin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brett Keane dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Keane throws a jab but it's blocked by Irwin.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Irwin slips under a jab from Keane.
A slow jab from Keane misses its intended target.
Irwin fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Keane wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Keane misses with an uppercut. Irwin saw that one coming.

Irwin clinches up with Keane and pushes him back against the cage.
Keane works on Irwin's body with a couple of short punches.
Keane stops a takedown attempt from Irwin.
Keane is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Brett Keane has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christopher Irwin.
Irwin tries to score a body lock takedown but Keane shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Irwin is looking for a takedown.
Keane swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Irwin is looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irwin tries to score a body lock takedown but Keane shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Irwin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Keane escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Keane scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Brett Keane is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice uppercut lands for Keane. That snapped Irwin's head back.

Irwin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Keane's half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Keane looking for submissions off his back.

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

Keane actively working from the bottom here.
Irwin controlling the pace.
Irwin is pressing down on Keane's thigh, looking to free his foot. Keane is holding on for now.
Irwin is keen to just control but Keane is a slippery customer.

Keane actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Keane is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Irwin pulls his head out easily.

Irwin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Keane actively working from the bottom here.

Keane is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Irwin pulls his head out easily.
Irwin works his way into full mount!
Irwin throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Keane because Irwin loaded up on that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irwin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Irwin working for a submission but Keane is keeping him at bay.
Irwin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Irwin is trying to control here but Keane has managed to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Irwin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Irwin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Keane does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Keane looking for submissions off his back.
Irwin tries to pass to full mount but Keane defends it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Irwin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Christopher Irwin.
I think Irwin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christopher Irwin!
Christopher Irwin was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.