PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Iram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samart Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Iram
vs
Kennedy

160 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

169 cm
21
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex Iram!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Samart Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Damien Edna and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Iram darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kennedy blocking the ground and pound attempt from Iram.
Iram sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kennedy defending well though.
Iram working the head and body with strikes.
Iram throwing shots but Kennedy is blocking nicely.
Kennedy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Iram.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Iram connects with a nice short shot to Kennedy's temple.

Iram is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kennedy is trying to maintain the position but Iram is very close to passing his half guard.
Iram thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kennedy's head.

Iram wants to work for an arm triangle but Kennedy is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Iram throwing shots but Kennedy is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iram throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Kennedy is defending against the submission attempts here by Iram.
Kennedy wants to control but Iram is keeping busy.
Iram working over Kennedy with some ground and pound. Kennedy looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kennedy wants to get back to his feet.
Iram works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kennedy tries to lock up and control but Iram gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

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.
Kennedy manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kennedy keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kennedy is trying to maintain the position but Iram is very close to passing his half guard.
Iram wants to free his trapped foot but Kennedy is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kennedy is trying to control but can't.
Iram prevents Kennedy from improving his position.
Iram working over Kennedy with some ground and pound. Kennedy looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Iram content to control rather than advance.

Kennedy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iram not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Iram working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kennedy's thigh. Kennedy counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Kennedy is trying to keep Iram in close.
Iram knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kennedy on the ground.
Iram lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Iram in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Iram postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Iram passes Kennedy's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kennedy trying to hold on to Iram's head to control him but Iram postures up.

Iram wants to work for an arm triangle but Kennedy is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Iram is breathing heavily.
Kennedy missing with punches from the bottom.

Kennedy looking for submissions off his back.
Kennedy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Iram.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Iram dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kennedy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Alex Iram seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Iram throws a combination that misses
enabling Kennedy to counter with a crisp jab.
Kennedy works over Iram's head and body with a nice combination.
Alex Iram is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kennedy wants to clinch
and Iram counters with a head kick. That will keep Kennedy thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Iram closes the distance and clinches.
Kennedy is working for takedown but Iram is calmly controlling the position for now.
A hook to the body from Iram.
Kennedy fails to pull guard.
Alex Iram has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samart Kennedy.

Iram ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Iram no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Iram keeping moving, preventing Kennedy from controlling successfully.
Iram looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kennedy is one step ahead there.
Kennedy looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy passes Iram's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Iram is looking for a sweep. Kennedy is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kennedy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kennedy trying to control from half guard but Iram is working away.

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.
Kennedy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Iram's head.
Kennedy wants to control but Iram is keeping him busy.
Iram missing with punches from the bottom.

Kennedy is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kennedy is trying to control. Iram wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iram holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Kennedy is keen to just control but Iram is a slippery customer.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kennedy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kennedy tries to stand but can't do so whilst Iram controls his leg.

Kennedy is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Iram is just riding it out for now. Kennedy eventually gives up the hold.
Iram wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kennedy trying to control the action but Iram is working from the bottom.
Kennedy throwing shots but Iram is blocking nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kennedy is looking to take a break and control but Iram is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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 Alex Iram will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kennedy lands a two punch combo.
Kennedy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Iram is fending him off so far but Kennedy persists. Nope, Iram circles away and we're back to standing.
Kennedy will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kennedy enables Iram to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kennedy manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kennedy wants to stand up but Iram is controlling him.
Kennedy keeping full guard, as Iram tries to pass.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Iram accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Iram throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Iram won't allow Kennedy to sweep him here.

Kennedy is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Iram has his hands clasped together but Kennedy extends an breaks Iram's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Kennedy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Samart Kennedy!