PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evan Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyson Steamboat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kennedy comes to the cage accompanied by Kernkraft 400 (Sport Chant Stadium Remix) by Zombie Nation. Evan Kennedy had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kennedy
vs
Steamboat

184 cm
18
209 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

183 cm
21
202 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Evan Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tyson Steamboat!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Alec Ball and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown but Steamboat shows good takedown defense.
Kennedy tries to clinch up but Steamboat circles away and keeps his distance.
Kennedy fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Horrible takedown by Kennedy or perhaps it was just good defense by Steamboat which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Kennedy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kennedy moves into the clinch.
Steamboat fails to pull guard.
Kennedy tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Steamboat just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kennedy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steamboat on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kennedy jumps guard but Steamboat stands there with Kennedy around his waist. Kennedy gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kennedy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Steamboat gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat lands with a left to the head.

Steamboat manages to break the clinch.
Kennedy has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Steamboat.
Steamboat tries to clinch but Kennedy moves away

and Kennedy counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kennedy takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kennedy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kennedy tries to score a body lock takedown but Steamboat shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Steamboat stalling in the clinch but Kennedy improves position.
Steamboat gets underhooks to prevent Kennedy's takedown attempt.
Kennedy is breathing heavily.
Steamboat can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Steamboat breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kennedy shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Steamboat pinned against the cage. Steamboat gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kennedy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Steamboat's waist but Steamboat gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kennedy off to one side.
Kennedy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Steamboat's waist but Steamboat gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kennedy off to one side.
Steamboat wants to clinch.
Kennedy closes the distance and clinches up with Steamboat, looking for a takedown. Kennedy pushes Steamboat against the cage but Steamboat circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat shoots in for a takedown but Kennedy shows good takedown defense.
Steamboat tries to clinch up but Kennedy circles away and keeps his distance.
Steamboat scores with a nice body kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kennedy wants a takedown.
Kennedy looking for a takedown.
Steamboat is looking to control Kennedy's arms but Kennedy gets an underhook and turns him. Now Steamboat has his back to the cage.
Steamboat throws a head punch that misses.
Kennedy keeps control of Steamboat as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kennedy tries to clinch but Steamboat is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat swats away the attempt to clinch by Kennedy.
Kennedy with a poor takedown
and Steamboat counters with a left and a right that stings Kennedy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kennedy misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A head kick misses from Steamboat.
Evan Kennedy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kennedy scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Steamboat is in trouble now - Kennedy has advanced to mount!

Kennedy with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steamboat tries to lock up and control but Kennedy gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Steamboat is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Steamboat dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Steamboat fails with the takedown

and Kennedy counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kennedy wants to control from the top but Steamboat keeps moving.

Steamboat is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kennedy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Steamboat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kennedy trying to control but Steamboat is working from the bottom.

Steamboat has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kennedy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kennedy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Steamboat swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Steamboat keeping moving, preventing Kennedy from controlling successfully.
Kennedy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Steamboat swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Kennedy shoots in looking for a takedown. Steamboat tries to sprawl out of it but Kennedy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Steamboat manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Kennedy closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Steamboat is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kennedy pulls his head out easily.
Steamboat wants to control but Kennedy is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Steamboat wants to sweep but Kennedy has passed to side control!
Kennedy lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Steamboat's face as Kennedy controls the position.
Steamboat is looking to regain half guard here but Kennedy keeps moving and retains side control.
Kennedy trying to control the position but Steamboat is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Steamboat takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Steamboat gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kennedy trying to control but Steamboat is working from the bottom.

Steamboat working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kennedy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kennedy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kennedy lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Steamboat trying to keep a closed guard but Kennedy is proving a slippery customer.

Steamboat is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Steamboat is looking for a triangle but Kennedy pushes his legs off easily.
Steamboat wants to sweep here but Kennedy controlling him for the moment.
Steamboat bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kennedy's guard.

Steamboat thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kennedy wants to stand but Steamboat is controlling the position.
Steamboat tries to free his leg and advance position but Kennedy is retaining full guard.
Kennedy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kennedy trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Steamboat tries to free his leg and advance position but Kennedy is retaining full guard.

Kennedy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kennedy is on top in guard.

Steamboat has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kennedy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kennedy is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Steamboat looking for a guillotine here but Kennedy defends easily.
Kennedy showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kennedy has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Steamboat looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kennedy passes into side control.
Steamboat being controlled for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steamboat tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kennedy wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Evan Kennedy will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Steamboat throws and low kick but Kennedy moves out of range easily.

Steamboat changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kennedy looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Steamboat working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Steamboat tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kennedy throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.

Steamboat tries for a kimura but Kennedy is defending well.
Kennedy gets back to half guard.
Steamboat takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
It looks like Steamboat is going to stand back up.
Kennedy works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy managing to control the position.
Evan Kennedy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kennedy manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Steamboat is desperately trying to improve his position but Kennedy has a good base and remains in mount.
Kennedy with the ground and pound from mount.
Steamboat can't escape the position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kennedy cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kennedy controlling from the full mount.
Kennedy putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Steamboat is wriggling around trying to escape.
Steamboat wants to control but Kennedy is having none of it.
Steamboat working to try and regain half guard.
Steamboat bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy keeping full guard, as Steamboat tries to pass.
Steamboat is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kennedy keeping moving, preventing Steamboat from controlling successfully.
Steamboat pushing down on Kennedy's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kennedy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Steamboat tries to clinch

and Kennedy counters with a shoot takedown. Steamboat fights it but they end up in guard.
Steamboat controls Kennedy momentarily but Kennedy frees himself.
Kennedy wants to pass the guard but Steamboat is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat wants to sweep here but Kennedy controlling him for the moment.
Kennedy showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kennedy with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kennedy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Steamboat swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Steamboat pulls Kennedy in close to prevent any damage.

Steamboat looking for a guillotine here but Kennedy defends easily.
Kennedy is stalling in the full guard.

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

Steamboat has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kennedy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Steamboat has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kennedy is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Steamboat.
Steamboat is looking for a sweep.

Kennedy decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Kennedy moves into the clinch successfully.
Kennedy wants a takedown.
Steamboat avoiding damage.
Kennedy trying to land knees to the body.
Steamboat looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Evan Kennedy.
I think Kennedy 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Kennedy!