PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Keven Houston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noah Pontzer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Noah Pontzer has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Houston
vs
Pontzer

173 cm
19
177 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
18
164 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keven Houston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Noah Pontzer!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houston circles away from the clinch attempt.
Houston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Pontzer lands a head kick!
Pontzer throws a left and a right that both miss

and Houston counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Pontzer wants to stand and escape but Houston is having none of it.
Houston is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pontzer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Houston is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Pontzer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pontzer can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Houston controls the pace.
Houston postures up and lands a big shot to Pontzer's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pontzer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pontzer is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Houston showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pontzer is looking to clinch.
As Pontzer tries to get set, Houston tries to push him back and clinch up but Pontzer manages to avoid the attempt.
Houston scores with a push kick.
Pontzer moves to clinch but Houston breaks away

so Houston counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Pontzer manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Pontzer looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houston is looking to take this one to the mat.
Pontzer lands an elbow just above Houston 's eye.
Pontzer taking a breather.
Pontzer fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Houston drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Pontzer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Houston takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Houston tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Pontzer manages to circle out of the way.
Houston swats away the attempt to clinch by Pontzer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Pontzer misses

and Houston counters by moving into the clinch.
Houston is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keven Houston. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Houston turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Houston manages to end up in side control.
We've been informed that Pontzer has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Pontzer struggling a bit here.
Houston slows the pace down.
Pontzer tries to bench press Houston off him but Houston keeps the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pontzer sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Keven Houston will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pontzer moves in looking to clinch but Houston pushes him off.

Houston instigates a clinch.
Houston changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pontzer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Houston throws a head kick but Pontzer moves out of range.
Houston throws a push kick but Pontzer slaps the foot to one side.
Pontzer shoots in but Houston avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Houston on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Pontzer. Pontzer obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pontzer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Houston avoids the head kick by Pontzer.
Houston wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Pontzer throws a head kick but Houston moves out of range.
Pontzer is breathing heavily.

Houston clinches up with Pontzer and pushes him back against the cage.
Pontzer stops a takedown attempt from Houston.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Pontzer tries to throw a body punch but Houston avoids it by throwing Pontzer back against the cage.
Pontzer is trying to pull guard but Houston turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houston changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pontzer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keven Houston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pontzer tries to clinch but Houston is having none of it.
Pontzer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Houston counters by moving into the clinch.
Houston is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pontzer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Houston is trying to break free.
Houston is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pontzer is defending well.
Pontzer has Houston pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Houston manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pontzer is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Houston has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Pontzer uses from the top position.
Pontzer trying to control the position from guard on top but Houston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pontzer throwing strikes from guard but Houston blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pontzer preventing the sweep.

Pontzer gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Pontzer throws a body shot but no joy.

Pontzer has managed to clinch.
Houston is trying to drag Pontzer to the mat but Pontzer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Houston gets underhooks to prevent Pontzer's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houston can't get the takedown.

Houston has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Pontzer regains guard immediately.
Houston not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Houston lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Houston stays in close to Pontzer's body and controls the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Houston is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keven Houston dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Houston dodges the punch combination from Pontzer.
Houston throws a quick counter kick to the body but Pontzer avoids it.
Pontzer tries to clinch up but Houston circles away and keeps his distance.
Keven Houston is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pontzer moves in looking to clinch but Houston pushes him off.
Pontzer misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pontzer takes the fight into the clinch.
Pontzer tries to stall but Houston uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Pontzer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houston is working for takedown but Pontzer is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pontzer is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Houston prevents the takedown attempt.

Pontzer breaks from the clinch.
Houston throws a head kick that misses.
Pontzer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Houston swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pontzer tries to land a front kick but Houston steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
As Pontzer tries to get set, Houston tries to push him back and clinch up but Pontzer manages to avoid the attempt.
Houston avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Houston is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pontzer throws a lazy head kick

and Houston decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pontzer's guard.
Keven Houston overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Houston keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pontzer's head.
Houston stays in close to Pontzer's body and controls the position.
Noah Pontzer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Houston is working Pontzer over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Houston slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houston stopping the sweep attempt from Pontzer.
Houston lands a couple of elbows.
Houston 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.
Houston is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Houston has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Houston is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Pontzer wants to stand and escape but Houston is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Houston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Pontzer blocks a head kick by Houston.
Houston tries to clinch up but Pontzer circles away and keeps his distance.
Pontzer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Houston paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Houston throws a head kick but Pontzer moves out of range.
Houston looks for the body kick but Pontzer saw that one coming.
Pontzer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Pontzer rushes Houston and presses him up against the cage.
Houston jumps guard but Pontzer turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Keven Houston is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keven Houston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pontzer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

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 Keven Houston.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Houston, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keven Houston!