PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gandalf Mithrandir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Kelso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Mithrandir
vs
Kelso

194 cm
23
219 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

190 cm
27
217 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Counter striker
Knockout power

Deadly Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gandalf Mithrandir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Kelso!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kelso loads up on a big right hand but Mithrandir slips the punch.
Kelso tries to clinch but Mithrandir moves out of range.
Mithrandir tries to clinch but Kelso moves away
and Kelso connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mithrandir misses with a takedown attempt

and Kelso counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mithrandir won't be happy with that.
Mithrandir is letting Kelso control him for a moment.
Kelso throwing strikes but Mithrandir manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Kelso wants to control but Mithrandir postures up.
Kelso tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kelso is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mithrandir's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kelso is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mithrandir's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mithrandir's back!
Kelso trying to control momentarily.
Mithrandir has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelso missing with strikes from the back.
Kelso lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Kelso throwing wild punches that miss their target.

Kelso tightening his grip on Mithrandir, looking for the choke.

Kelso is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Mithrandir is defending well though. Kelso let's go of the attempt for now.
Mithrandir grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Mithrandir covers up after that shot from Kelso.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mithrandir covering up well under a series of strikes from Kelso.
Mithrandir knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kelso on the ground.
Kelso scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Kelso lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mithrandir trying to get back to his feet but Kelso is in full control for now.
Mithrandir is covering up but some of the strikes from Kelso are getting through and doing damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Mithrandir fending off the submission attempt from Kelso.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mithrandir is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelso is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Oooh a big shot gets through from Kelso. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

Kelso working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kelso is punishing Mithrandir with strikes - can he finish him?!
Kelso misses with a punch to the head.
Mithrandir holding both Kelso 's hands and preventing any damage.
Well, with Kelso on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Mithrandir is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Kelso is working the ground and pound. Can Mithrandir escape?
Mithrandir is trying to stand back up.
Mithrandir is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kelso is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Mithrandir is defending well though. Kelso let's go of the attempt for now.
Kelso is working the ground and pound. Can Mithrandir escape?

Kelso is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Mithrandir is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Michael Kelso!