PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sonny Kewell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael James has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kewell
vs
James

183 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sonny Kewell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michael James!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Bruno Hogan and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kewell tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but James swivels and escapes.

Kewell shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Kewell was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kewell trying to control but James is having none of it.
Kewell connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
James tries to hold on but Kewell postures up.
Kewell raining down hammerfists from mount.
James wants to try and get back to his feet.
Kewell misses with a head shot.
James keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kewell has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kewell fails to take his opponent's back.
Kewell trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kewell prevents James from getting the reversal.

Kewell is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. James can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
James is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Kewell thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Kewell lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Kewell breaks from James's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Kewell working James over with strikes here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kewell thowing shots but they're missing.
James is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Kewell moves to the back.

Kewell has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for James! Can he survive? No! He's out! Kewell gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Sonny Kewell!
A less than humble Sonny Kewell misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.