PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Keyes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Pritchard II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Keyes
vs
Pritchard II

172 cm
22
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Stephen Keyes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Richard Pritchard II!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keyes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pritchard II.
Pritchard II circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pritchard II fails with the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Keyes. No joy for Pritchard II on that attempt.

Keyes takes the fight into the clinch.

Keyes breaks from the clinch.
Keyes fails with an attempt to clinch.
A punch combination from Pritchard II misses.
Pritchard II tries to clinch up but Keyes circles away and keeps his distance.

Keyes pushes Pritchard II up against the cage in a clinch.

Keyes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pritchard II shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Keyes as he jumps to the side.
Stephen Keyes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Pritchard II.
Nice sprawl there from Keyes as Pritchard II shoots in.
Pritchard II looks to land a combination but Keyes avoids it well.

Keyes has Pritchard II up against the cage in a clinch.

Keyes breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pritchard II fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
No joy there for Pritchard II, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Keyes has a takedown stuffed.

Keyes rushes Pritchard II and presses him up against the cage.
Pritchard II fails to pull guard.
Keyes stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Pritchard II tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Keyes lands an elbow just above Pritchard II 's eye.

It looks like Richard Pritchard II has been cut.
Pritchard II tries to pull guard but Keyes won't allow it.
Keyes lands a good knee to the midsection. Pritchard II won't want to take too many of those.
Pritchard II looks gassed!
Keyes stalling against the cage.

Keyes breaks the clinch.
Keyes throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Pritchard II shoots and misses

and Keyes counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Keyes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Richard Pritchard II seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Keyes has managed to clinch.

Keyes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Keyes plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Jab by Keyes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pritchard II takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Keyes takes the fight into the clinch.
Keyes connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pritchard II's face.

Keyes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Keyes clinches.

Keyes gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Keyes trying to control but Pritchard II is working from the bottom.
Keyes looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pritchard II throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Keyes trying to control but Pritchard II is working from the bottom.

Pritchard II had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Keyes defends it easily.

Keyes got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pritchard II has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Keyes has managed to get both his arms back between Pritchard II's legs - danger averted.

Pritchard II looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pritchard II working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Keyes.

That's four 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pritchard II misses with a takedown attempt - Keyes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Keyes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Keyes has closed the distance and engaged Pritchard II in a clinch.
Pritchard II fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Keyes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Keyes throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Pritchard II stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Keyes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pritchard II jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Keyes walks away with a smile on his face. Pritchard II gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Keyes on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Keyes has Pritchard II up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Keyes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Richard Pritchard II's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Keyes throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Pritchard II swinging wildly here.
Pritchard II shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Keyes as he avoids it easily.
Keyes misses with a head kick.
Keyes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pritchard II misses with a body punch

and Keyes moves into the clinch.

Keyes breaks from the clinch.

Keyes has taken the fight to the clinch.

Keyes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A lazy left from Keyes finds it's target.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pritchard II throws a series of punches but Keyes moves out of range.
Pritchard II misses with a double jab
and Keyes counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Pritchard II is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Keyes has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keyes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Keyes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Keyes clinches up against the cage.

Keyes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pritchard II fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice body punch from Keyes.
Pritchard II avoids the head kick by Keyes.
Pritchard II wants to clinch
and Keyes counters with a nice uppercut.
Pritchard II swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Keyes counters by clinching up.
Keyes landing knees to the body.
Keyes throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pritchard II blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keyes lands an elbow inside that Pritchard II shrugs off.
Keyes stalling against the cage.
Pritchard II blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Pritchard II pulls Keyes into guard.

Pritchard II is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Keyes trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Pritchard II manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Keyes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Pritchard II stands up from Keyes's guard - Pritchard II perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keyes thows a body shot but no joy.
Pritchard II wants to clinch but Keyes slips to the side

and Keyes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Keyes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pritchard II gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Keyes breaks from the clinch.
Keyes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pritchard II moves away.
Keyes takes a jab right on the kisser.
Keyes wants to clinch but Pritchard II slips to the side
and Pritchard II counters with a two punch combo.

Keyes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Keyes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Keyes just leaning against Pritchard II, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pritchard II tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Keyes smiles and moves away.
Stephen Keyes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Pritchard II.
Keyes connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Pritchard II momentarily.
Pritchard II punishes Keyes's body with a nice straight punch.
Pritchard II looks to clinch

and Keyes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Keyes stalling in the clinch.

Keyes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Richard Pritchard II is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pritchard II swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Pritchard II takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pritchard II moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Keyes throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
No joy there for Pritchard II, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pritchard II closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Keyes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Keyes wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Keyes dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Richard Pritchard II's cut.
That's time! Keyes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Pritchard II closes the distance looking to clinch
and Keyes counters with a thumping low kick.
Horrible takedown by Pritchard II or perhaps it was just good defense by Keyes which made him look bad.
Pritchard II misses with a takedown attempt - Keyes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Keyes moves into range and clinches up with Pritchard II.
Keyes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Keyes working Pritchard II over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Keyes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Pritchard II's defenses.

Keyes breaks the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Keyes.
Keyes is looking to clinch but Pritchard II is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keyes is looking to clinch but Pritchard II is avoiding it.
Pritchard II takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Pritchard II swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pritchard II throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Keyes's waist but Keyes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pritchard II off to one side.
Stephen Keyes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Pritchard II.

Keyes rushes Pritchard II and presses him up against the cage.

Keyes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pritchard II scores with a nice strike.
Pritchard II throws a left and a right that both miss
and Keyes counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Pritchard II throws a right hand that Keyes ducks under and follows up with a left that Keyes also avoids with ease.
Keyes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice jab there from Keyes.
Pritchard II fails to land the takedown.
Pritchard II misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pritchard II tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Keyes paws at him with a jab and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Keyes manages to break the clinch.
Keyes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Keyes wants it to stay on the feet.
Keyes misses with a body shot.

Keyes clinches up with Pritchard II and pushes him back against the cage.
Keyes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pritchard II is defending well for now.
Pritchard II tries to pull guard but Keyes holds him up against the cage and eventually Pritchard II drops back down to his feet.
Knees to the body from Keyes.
Pritchard II tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Keyes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Keyes landing knees to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keyes with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Keyes.
Pritchard II jumps guard but Keyes stands there with Pritchard II around his waist. Pritchard II gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Keyes lands a good knee to the midsection. Pritchard II won't want to take too many of those.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Pritchard II tries to pull guard but Keyes holds him up against the cage and eventually Pritchard II drops back down to his feet.

Keyes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pritchard II shoots for a takedown but Keyes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Keyes misses with a looping right.
Keyes tries to clinch up.
Pritchard II misses with a combination
and Keyes counters with a straight right hand.
Pritchard II lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Keyes circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four 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.
Keyes lands with a kick to the temple. Pritchard II shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Nice sprawl there from Keyes as Pritchard II shoots in.
Keyes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Keyes clinches up against the cage.

Keyes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A combination from Pritchard II does no damage.
Keyes throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Pritchard II goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Pritchard II looks to land a combination. Keyes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The fighters circling - Pritchard II throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Keyes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Keyes thumps Pritchard II with a low kick.
Richard Pritchard II has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stephen Keyes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Keyes lands with a hook. Pritchard II tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephen Keyes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Keyes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:26
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephen Keyes!