PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Denver Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emmit Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emmit Kennedy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stark
vs
Kennedy

165 cm
25
279 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

187 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Denver Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Emmit Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Joseph Jones and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stark pushes Kennedy up against the cage in a clinch.

Kennedy jumps guard and drags Stark to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kennedy thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Kennedy controlling the position.
Kennedy wants to get back to his feet but Stark is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kennedy wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Kennedy throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kennedy wants to sweep but no luck.
Kennedy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Kennedy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stark's guard.

Stark looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kennedy passes into half guard.
Stark makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stark.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kennedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Stark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stark has his foot on Kennedy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kennedy works his way back into a safe position though.
Stark is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stark is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kennedy is controlling him.
Kennedy trying to control but Stark is working from the bottom.
Stark looking for a sweep. Not yet Stark, not yet.

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.
Stark keeping moving, preventing Kennedy from controlling successfully.

Stark is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kennedy looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Stark is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Stark prevents Kennedy from improving his position.

Stark is looking for a kimura but Kennedy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stark to get the leverage.
Kennedy is concentrating on defense, preventing Stark from advancing position.
Stark could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Stark is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kennedy sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stark is looking for a kimura but Kennedy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stark to get the leverage.

Stark is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kennedy sees it coming and defends easily.
Kennedy missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stark is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kennedy sees it coming and defends easily.
Kennedy is looking to control Stark's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kennedy avoid being mounted?
Kennedy is trying to stand back up but Stark is controlling him

Stark is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Stark is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stark is breathing heavily.

Stark is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kennedy is just riding it out for now. Stark eventually gives up the hold.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stark throwing shots but Kennedy is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denver Stark 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.

Stark shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kennedy pinned against the cage. Kennedy gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kennedy lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Stark tries to clinch
and Kennedy counters with a three punch combo that has Stark backing up. Stark nods at Kennedy to acknowledge the strikes.

Stark gets tackled into the cage by Kennedy. Kennedy maintains the clinch.

Kennedy manages to break the clinch.

Kennedy shoots in and bounces Stark off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kennedy is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Emmit Kennedy has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stark swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kennedy preventing the sweep.
Kennedy throws a big right hand that misses.
Kennedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Stark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stark might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kennedy preventing the sweep.

Stark 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 Stark.
Stark is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Stark is looking to get back to his feet here but Kennedy is keeping cool and he's managed to take Stark's back.
Stark staying busy and making it hard for Kennedy to control.
Kennedy has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Stark's body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stark defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Kennedy's arms.
Stark wants to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stark defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Kennedy's arms.
Kennedy lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Stark looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Kennedy tries to keep control of the position but Stark is staying busy.

Stark showing good submission defense here.
Kennedy is trying to stick to Stark's back but Stark is turning into Kennedy. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kennedy's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Stark.
Stark works over Kennedy with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark wants to get up but he can't break Kennedy's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Stark throws a strike but Kennedy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kennedy advances to half guard.
Kennedy is breathing heavily.
Stark makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stark.
Kennedy scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stark looking for a sweep. Not yet Stark, not yet.
Stark lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kennedy is trying to control the position but Stark postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kennedy can do anything to dispel that myth.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kennedy is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kennedy has momentary wrist control but Stark slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emmit Kennedy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Stark decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kennedy wants to get back to full guard.
Kennedy is looking to escape.
Kennedy keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Stark is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kennedy has managed to free his arm - good work.

Kennedy is defending against the submission attempts here by Stark.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy tries to kick Stark off but Stark keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Stark is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kennedy sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stark is trying to work for a kimura but Kennedy is defending well.
Kennedy tries to kick Stark off but Stark keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kennedy wants to get back to full guard.

Stark wants to work for an arm triangle but Kennedy is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kennedy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stark looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Stark is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kennedy sees it coming and defends easily.
Kennedy tries to kick Stark off but Stark keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stark thows a huge punch but Kennedy dodges it nicely.
Kennedy is trying to maintain the position but Stark is very close to passing his half guard.

Stark is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kennedy sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stark thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kennedy's head.
Kennedy is looking for a sweep. Stark is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Stark is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kennedy sees it coming and defends easily.
Kennedy wants to control but Stark is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Stark has managed to clinch.
Kennedy gets underhooks to prevent Stark's takedown attempt.
Stark has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kennedy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stark drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denver Stark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kennedy throws an elbow but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Kennedy lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kennedy is trying to control the action in half guard but Stark is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kennedy is looking to stall here but Stark recovers full guard.
Kennedy has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stark is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stark working for a triangle but Kennedy defends it easily.
Stark has a closed guard, preventing Kennedy from standing up.

Stark looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stark looking for a sweep. Not yet Stark, not yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kennedy tries to stand but Stark is controlling from the bottom.
Stark keeping moving, preventing Kennedy from controlling successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Denver Stark showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Stark 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denver Stark!