PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Kermodian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Phil Davis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kermodian comes into the arena with Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum blaring out of the sound system. Davis is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Coldplay - Clocks. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kermodian
vs
Phil Davis

185 cm
39
215 lbs
30 - 32 - 2

182 cm
33
222 lbs
20 - 8 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 30 - 32 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Kermodian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mr Phil Davis!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Edson Gomes and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kermodian connects with a jab.
Kermodian lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Davis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kermodian.
Davis on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Davis shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Davis showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kermodian is looking to improve his position.
Kermodian is working hard here to advance position.
Kermodian gets full guard.
Kermodian being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kermodian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Davis is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davis looking to pass the guard.
Davis won't allow Kermodian to sweep him here.
Davis trying to control but Kermodian is working from the bottom.
Davis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kermodian works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Davis postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Davis looking to sit in guard and control but Kermodian gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Davis is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kermodian is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kermodian trying to control the position from guard on top but Davis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Davis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Davis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Davis 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.
Davis looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kermodian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kermodian showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Davis on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davis checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kermodian tries to work over Davis's front leg with a kick but Davis checks it.
A cross from Kermodian lands.
Davis doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kermodian counters with a single leg into guard. Davis didn't expect that.
Kermodian slips nicely into half guard.
Kermodian seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kermodian trying to control from Davis's half guard. Davis has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Davis being controlled here, momentarily.
Davis manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Davis goes for an armbar but Kermodian turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kermodian.

Davis wriggles free and stands up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kermodian is looking to slow Davis down with leg kicks.
Davis keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Kermodian dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kermodian tries to clinch but Davis is having none of it.
Kermodian throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kermodian tries to clinch but Davis is having none of it.
Kermodian jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Davis takes a swing at Kermodian's ribcage but misses.
Good leg kick by Kermodian there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kermodian swinging wildly here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kermodian looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kermodian throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kermodian throws a sloppy head kick and Davis moves out of range easily.
Kermodian thumps Davis with a low kick.
Kermodian throws a lazy body kick
and Davis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kermodian.
Horrible takedown by Kermodian or perhaps it was just good defense by Davis which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Kermodian there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A head kick misses from Kermodian.
Kermodian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Davis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kermodian defends it nicely.
Kermodian clobbers Davis with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kermodian ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Davis chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kermodian can pounce on him.
Kermodian pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kermodian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kermodian lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kermodian tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Davis doesn't manage to clinch there - Kermodian circles away.
Kermodian throws a series of strikes that have Davis backpedaling.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Davis fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kermodian, pushing him back against the cage.
Davis has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kermodian avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kermodian is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Davis is keeping busy.
Kermodian gets underhooks to prevent Davis's takedown attempt.
Mark Kermodian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Phil Davis.
Kermodian misses with a body punch.
Kermodian displaying some good clinch control by pressing Davis up against the cage.
Kermodian lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Come on Kermodian - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kermodian is trying to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mark Kermodian.
Kermodian throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kermodian shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Davis but Davis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kermodian throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kermodian fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Davis on the side of the head.
Davis's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kermodian.
Kermodian lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Davis is looking to clinch.
Kermodian lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kermodian tries to close the distance and clinch but Davis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Davis shoots in for a takedown but Kermodian shows good takedown defense.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Davis wants to clinch.
Kermodian throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Davis is breathing heavily.
Kermodian lands with a kick to the temple. Davis shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kermodian chopping away at his opponent's legs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kermodian is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Davis goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kermodian prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Kermodian dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kermodian uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Davis.
Davis shoots in for a double leg but Kermodian sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kermodian lands a leg kick that knocks Davis off balance momentarily.
Davis on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kermodian lands a nice leg kick that just misses Davis's sensitive parts.
Davis takes a kick to the side of the head.
Davis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Davis stuffs the takedown.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kermodian.
Kermodian scores with a jab to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kermodian connects with a right hand. Davis shakes it off.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kermodian, right into the meat.
A right-left combo lands from Kermodian.
Kermodian works Davis's body with a nice hook.
Davis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kermodian tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Kermodian, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kermodian takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kermodian scores with the left hand. Davis knows he should have avoided that one.
Davis goes for a double leg but Kermodian avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kermodian continues to drive forward.
Kermodian throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Daviss head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Davis changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kermodian fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mark Kermodian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Phil Davis.
Davis takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Davis takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Davis shoots in but Kermodian avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kermodian lands with a good body shot.
Mark Kermodian is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Kermodian.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice body kick from Kermodian.
Davis chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kermodian can pounce on him.
Kermodian lands with a kick to the temple. Davis shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Kermodian pushes Davis up against the cage in a clinch.
Davis changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kermodian fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kermodian.
Kermodian wants to clinch up but Davis keeps it at a distance.
Kermodian lands a nice looking body kick.
Davis avoids the head kick by Kermodian.
Davis on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kermodian. Kermodian obviously looking to wear him down.

Kermodian shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Davis's guard.
Kermodian not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kermodian wants to control from the top but Davis keeps moving.
Kermodian stays in close to Davis's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Mark Kermodian.
Kermodian is looking to slow Davis down with leg kicks.
Kermodian lands a jab to Davis's midsection.
Davis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kermodian defends it nicely.
Kermodian lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Davis circles away quickly and effectively.
Davis sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kermodian misses with a takedown attempt - Davis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kermodian connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kermodian throws a head kick that misses.
Kermodian looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kermodian swats away the attempt to clinch by Davis.
Kermodian looks for the body kick but Davis saw that one coming.
Kermodian lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Davis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Davis dives in for a single leg takedown but Kermodian sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Davis can't get the takedown.
Davis misses with some punches.
Mr Phil Davis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kermodian is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Davis can do to turn this around?
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Davis is looking to take this one to the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Kermodian showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kermodian has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Kermodian!
Mark Kermodian managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, FFN Vegas-Laundry, into his post fight interview.