PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samoa Joe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kerry King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). King is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: south of heaven. Samoa Joe has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Joe
vs
King

160 cm
20
148 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

214 cm
20
403 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Samoa Joe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kerry King!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
King throws a nice looking combination but Joe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
King looks gassed!
Joe shoots for a takedown but King saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Joe shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts King as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samoa Joe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Joe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joe throws a series of punches but King avoids them all with ease.
Joe closes the distance and clinches up with King, looking for a takedown. Joe pushes King against the cage but King circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Joe is defended easily by King.
Joe tries to land a leg kick but King saw it coming and moves away.
King keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
King displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Joe.
Joe thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
King checks a low kick from Joe.
Joe shoots in for a takedown but King shows good takedown defense.
Joe looks to land a left hand but King moved out of range nicely.
Joe slips under a jab from King.
Joe throws a low kick, looking for King's leg but King calmly moves out of range.
Joe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but King avoids it really well and circles away.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
King leaves Joe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King throws a series of punches but Joe moves out of range.
Joe looks to land a left hand but King moved out of range nicely.
Joe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting King counter with a right hand.
Joe throws a low kick but it's checked well by King.

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.
Joe connects with a solid leg kick.
King throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Joe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Samoa Joe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
King stuffs the takedown attempt from Joe. Joe gets slowly back to his feet.
Joe just misses with a punch to the body.
Joe lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Joe tried to score with a low kick but King checks it.
Joe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but King moves away.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Joe takes a swing at King's ribcage but misses.
Joe thumps King with a low kick.
Joe throws a big shot that misses.
Joe attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
King checks the leg kick nicely there.

Joe darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
King keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Joe keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if King can do anything to dispel that myth.
King is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Joe scores with a couple of nice shots.
King really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Joe. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Joe stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

King gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Joe to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Joe wants to control from the top but King keeps moving.
Joe might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Joe gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Joe throws an uppercut from half a mile away. King sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Joe with a nice cross.

King is rocked!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Joe loads up on a big right hand but King slips the punch.
King is still on wobbly legs! Can Joe finish him?

Joe shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. King is trying to defend but Joe finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Joe lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt King quite badly. King pulls Joe in close trying to recover. Joe postures up and lands two really hard shots that put King on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but King doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Samoa Joe!