PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Chris Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kung Lao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kennedy
vs
Lao

190 cm
19
195 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Chris Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kung Lao!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lao checks the leg kick.
Kennedy avoids the head kick by Lao.
Kennedy was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Lao avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lao throws a push kick but Kennedy slaps the foot to one side.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lao throws a head kick but Kennedy moves out of range.
Kennedy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kennedy's jab looks to have found its range, popping Lao under the eye.
Lao takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Lao.
Kennedy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kennedy swats away the attempt to clinch by Lao.
Kennedy fires out a quick counter leg kick but Lao just manages to avoid it.
Kennedy attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy is looking to slow Lao down with leg kicks.
Lao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Lao moves into the clinch.

Lao breaks from the clinch.
Lao has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Lao tries to clinch there but Kennedy circles away.
Lao wants to clinch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Lao. Kennedy shrugs it off though.
Lao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kennedy connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kennedy throws a low kick but Lao avoids it.
Lao takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Chris Kennedy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kennedy misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Lao tries to bum rush Kennedy with a series of wild strikes but Kennedy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kennedy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kennedy definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kennedy throws a leg kick that misses.
Kennedy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lao manages to avoid it.
Kennedy is looking to wear down Lao with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Lao!

It looks like Chris Kennedy has been cut.
Lao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lao checks the leg kick nicely there.
A leg kick checked by Lao.
Kennedy checks a leg kick.
Kennedy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kennedy tried to counter with a leg kick but Lao avoided it.
Lao throws a head kick but Kennedy moves out of range.
It looked like Kennedy was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Lao.
Lao checks a low kick from Kennedy.
Lao tries to clinch up but Kennedy circles away and keeps his distance.
An inside leg kick lands from Lao.
Lao checks the leg kick.
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 Chris Kennedy will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chris Kennedy's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lao doesn't manage to clinch there - Kennedy circles away.
Lao checks the leg kick.
Kennedy slips a jab and a cross from Lao.
Kennedy tries a low kick but Lao avoids it.
Kennedy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lao connects with an inside leg kick.
Chris Kennedy is winning the standup battle so far.
Lao fails with an attempt to clinch.
It looked like Kennedy was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Lao.
Kennedy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kennedy scores with a nice head shot.
Kennedy avoids the head kick by Lao.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A leg kick checked by Kennedy.
Kennedy takes a swing at Lao's ribcage but misses.
Lao takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Lao throws a body kick that misses
and Kennedy counters with a left to the body.
Lao moves in looking to clinch but Kennedy pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lao has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kennedy tries to break the clinch but Lao is controlling the position.

Kennedy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Chris Kennedy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Lao.
Lao swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kennedy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lao moves out of range as Kennedy strikes.
Lao is looking to clinch but Kennedy is avoiding it.
Kennedy misses with a body shot.
As Kennedy backs off Lao throws a huge counter combo but Kennedy manages to avoid it all.
A bone on bone clash there as Lao blocks the leg kick.
Lao doesn't manage to clinch there - Kennedy circles away.
A leg kick checked by Lao.
Kennedy throws a low kick but Lao moves out of range easily.
Lao takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lao tries to close the distance and clinch but Kennedy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lao checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lao tries to clinch up.
Kennedy avoids the head kick by Lao.
Lao keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kennedy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kung Lao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lao wants to clinch.
Kennedy thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lao tries to clinch up.
Lao moves in looking to clinch but Kennedy pushes him off.
Kennedy uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Lao has time to react.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kennedy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kennedy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kennedy lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Lao has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Lao and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Lao lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lao looks to land a body kick but Kennedy moved away.
Lao throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Kennedy dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chris Kennedy's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lao misses with the combination.
Lao bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kennedy's head.
Lao tries to clinch up but Kennedy circles away and keeps his distance.
Kennedy swings for the body but Lao moves out of range.
Kennedy looks to score with a jab to the body but Lao is just out of range.
Lao tries to counter by closing the distance.
Lao slips under a jab from Kennedy.
Kennedy sets himself, and Lao steps forward looking for the clinch! Kennedy avoids it this time.
Kennedy lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lao will feel that in the morning.
Lao does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kennedy ducks under a wild hook from Lao.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kennedy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lao.
An inside leg kick from Kennedy misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Lao checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kennedy sets himself, and Lao steps forward looking for the clinch! Kennedy avoids it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lao wants to clinch up but Kennedy keeps it at a distance.
Kennedy throws a leg kick but Lao sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lao checks the leg kick.
Kennedy misses the shot to the body.
Kennedy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lao can do to turn this around?
Lao tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Kennedy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kennedy throws a sloppy head kick
and Lao counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kennedy misses with a body shot.
Lao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kennedy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kennedy throws a shot from downtown. Lao moves away and avoids it.
Lao tries to clinch
and Kennedy counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lao tries to clinch there but Kennedy circles away.
Kennedy throws a leg kick that misses.
Lao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy throws out a leg kick but Lao moves out of range and Kennedy only half commits.
Kennedy swats away the attempt to clinch by Lao.
Kennedy with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kennedy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lao checks a leg kick nicely.
Kennedy misses with a low kick.
Lao lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lao moves in looking to clinch but Kennedy pushes him off.
Kennedy keeps the fight on the outside.
Kennedy connects with a right hand. Lao shakes it off.
Lao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Kennedy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kennedy motions for Lao to come forward. Kennedy throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lao tries to counter with a clinch but Kennedy shakes him off and moves away.
Nice body punch from Kennedy.
Kennedy misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Kennedy clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Chris Kennedy's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lao lands with a kick to the temple. Kennedy shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lao checks the leg kick nicely there.
Lao tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Kennedy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kennedy throws a chopping leg kick but Lao manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
And Lao responds with a good body kick, but Kennedy manages to step out the way in time.
Lao tries to clinch but Kennedy moves out of range.
Kennedy throws a leg kick which misses Lao's front leg but catches the back leg as Lao tries to avoid it.
Kennedy misses with a jab to the body
and Lao counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kennedy looks to score with a jab to the body but Lao is just out of range.
Lao walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lao darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kennedy dodges the punch combination from Lao.
Kennedy connects with a body shot that sends Lao's belly button to the back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kennedy pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lao is out of range and Kennedy settles back down.
Kennedy misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lao takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kennedy takes a swing at Lao's ribcage but misses.
Lao tries to counter with a clinch but Kennedy shakes him off and moves away.
Lao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kennedy wants to land a leg kick but Lao is out of range.
Kennedy misses with a combination

and Lao counters by moving into the clinch.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kennedy shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kennedy looks to throw the jab but Lao is out of range.
Lao is looking to clinch.
Lao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A low kick from Kennedy misses
and Lao cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lao wants to clinch up but Kennedy keeps it at a distance.
Kennedy fires out a quick counter leg kick but Lao just manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lao throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lao slips under a jab.
Lao steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kennedy.
Lao tries to clinch but Kennedy moves out of range.
Kennedy scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A punch combination from Lao misses.
Lao tries to clinch up
and Kennedy counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Lao is looking to clinch but Kennedy is avoiding it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kennedy misses with a hook.
Lao throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lao tries to clinch but Kennedy is having none of it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kennedy.
Kennedy tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lao takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Kennedy had his way with Kung Lao in that round.
The cut man is working on Chris Kennedy's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lao lands a right hook to the body.
Lao tries to clinch up but Kennedy circles away and keeps his distance.
A bone on bone clash there as Lao blocks the leg kick.
Kennedy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kennedy throws a body punch but Lao moves out of range.
Lao throws a counter combo.
Kennedy cracks Lao with an open hand slap.
Kennedy lands a jab.
A head kick from Kennedy lands but Lao takes it in his stride.
Kennedy misses with a head kick.
Lao throws a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kennedy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lao lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kennedy circles away quickly and effectively.
A leg kick checked by Lao.
Lao fails with an attempt to clinch.
A leg kick checked by Lao.
Lao unleashes a big counter combination but Kennedy bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kennedy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lao doesn't manage to clinch there - Kennedy circles away.
Lao wants to clinch.
Kennedy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Chris Kennedy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kennedy throws a body kick that misses.
An inside leg kick from Kennedy misses.
Kennedy misses with a low kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kennedy, as that shot connected.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kennedy.
Lao tries to clinch up but Kennedy circles away and keeps his distance.
Lao tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kennedy counters with a left to the body.
Lao tries to clinch up but Kennedy circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Lao holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kennedy can't break the clinch.
Kennedy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kennedy is trying to break the clinch but Lao is controlling him.

Kennedy breaks the clinch.

Lao fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kennedy, pushing him back against the ropes.
Kennedy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lao swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Lao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kennedy connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lao momentarily.
Kung Lao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lao scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lao connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Kennedy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kennedy, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Kennedy!