PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Tsoi (ranked 7 p4p, 1 weight class) and Gareth Keenan (ranked 9 p4p, 2 weight class). Tsoi comes to the cage accompanied by Zvezda po Imeni Solnce. Keenan has chosen Coming Home as his entrance music. Gareth Keenan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tsoi
vs
Keenan

169 cm
34
155 lbs
38 - 10 - 2

179 cm
28
150 lbs
14 - 0 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Urban Fighter
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Viktor Tsoi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 0 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gareth Keenan!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsoi throws out a loose jab but Keenan uses good head movement to avoid it.
A good leg kick by Tsoi.
Keenan misses with a wild combination.
Tsoi throws a leg kick
and Keenan counters with a head kick.
Viktor Tsoi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tsoi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tsoi punishes Keenan's body with a nice straight punch.
Tsoi lands a head shot.
Tsoi has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Lil Wayne Gymnasium in the buildup to the fight.
Tsoi throws a leg kick but Keenan checks it.
Keenan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tsoi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Keenan blocks the body kick.
Keenan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tsoi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Keenan's guard.
Keenan keeping full guard, as Tsoi tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan is controlling Tsoi's posture.
Keenan being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Keenan pulls Tsoi in close to prevent any damage.

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.
Tsoi is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Keenan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tsoi catches Keenan with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tsoi blocks a low kick nicely.
Keenan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tsoi can pounce on him.
The fighters circle momentarily. Tsoi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Keenan misses with a wild body shot.
Tsoi blocks the body kick.
Tsoi misses the shot to the body.
Keenan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tsoi.
Tsoi lands with a hook. Keenan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi throws a low kick but Keenan moves out of range easily.
Tsoi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Tsoi.
Tsoi with a jab.
Tsoi tries to land a front kick but Keenan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Jab by Tsoi.
Tsoi feints and then cracks Keenan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Keenan down.
Tsoi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsoi staying out of range there.
Tsoi scores with a nice right hand.
Keenan throws a body shot but no joy.
Tsoi thinks about countering with a body kick.
Tsoi tries to clinch but Keenan is having none of it.
Tsoi throws a hook but Keenan blocks it.
Keenan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tsoi misses with a leg kick
and Keenan counters with a stiff right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Keenan misses with a wild body shot.
Tsoi thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Tsoi misses.
Tsoi lands a jab to the head.
Tsoi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tsoi lands with an overhand left.
Keenan throws a jab when Tsoi was well out of range.
Keenan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
And Keenan responds with a good body kick, but Tsoi manages to step out the way in time.
Keenan thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tsoi if he has to take too many more of those.
Tsoi connects with a nice looking jab.
Keenan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Tsoi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tsoi.
Keenan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tsoi.
Keenan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Keenan throws out a leg kick but Tsoi moves out of range and Keenan only half commits.
Tsoi lands a leg kick that knocks Keenan off balance momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Tsoi dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

That kick from Keenan tenderised Tsoi's leg. Tsoi is trying to keep his angry face on.
A nice inside leg kick there by Keenan. That's going to slow Tsoi down.
Tsoi misses with a body kick.
No luck for Tsoi with that takedown attempt.
Tsoi throws a solid leg kick but Keenan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tsoi.
Tsoi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Keenan can do to turn this around?
Tsoi connects with a leg kick. Keenan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tsoi avoids the body shot from Keenan.
Tsoi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Keenan lands with a hook. Tsoi tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tsoi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Keenan.
Keenan misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan misses with the body kick
letting Tsoi counter with a right hand.
Tsoi digs a good body shot into Keenan's ribs.

Tsoi forces Keenan back against the cage and clinches.
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!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Keenan.
Keenan lands with a short shot to the head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Keenan blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoi throws a punch but it's blocked by Keenan.

Keenan breaks the clinch.
Tsoi lands a nice looking body kick.
Keenan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tsoi cracks Keenan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Viktor Tsoi is winning the standup battle so far.
Keenan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tsoi is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Keenan.
Tsoi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Keenan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Keenan moves out of range of the body kick.
Keenan looks to throw a body kick
and Tsoi counters with a stiff right hand.
Keenan misses with a body kick.

Tsoi moves into the clinch successfully.
Tsoi lands a nice shot to the body.
A shot in the inside from Tsoi.
Tsoi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Keenan lands a shoulder strike.
Keenan blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Keenan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tsoi doesn't manage to clinch there - Keenan circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi cracks Keenan with a good jab.
Tsoi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Keenan flicks out a counter leg kick but Tsoi steps away.

Tsoi scores with a takedown into Keenan's guard.
Tsoi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Keenan controlling Tsoi's posture.
Tsoi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi advances position into side control!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
The ground and pound from Tsoi seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Keenan struggling a bit here.
A lull in the action here as Tsoi stalls from top position.
Tsoi throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tsoi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Keenan keeps working.
Keenan is letting Tsoi control him for a moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Keenan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Keenan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tsoi throws a big shot that misses.

Tsoi moves into the clinch.
Keenan is trying to force a seperation but Tsoi has the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Tsoi dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Keenan throws a leg kick
and Tsoi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Keenan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tsoi thuds a left hand into Keenan's body.
Keenan throws a hook but Tsoi avoids it easily.
Tsoi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Tsoi fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Keenan sprawls well initially but Tsoi persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Tsoi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tsoi wants to control but Keenan is keeping him busy.
Tsoi stalling.
Tsoi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Keenan keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoi is taking a breather. Keenan says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Keenan is trying is best to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tsoi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Keenan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Keenan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Keenan.
Tsoi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Keenan takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tsoi wants to slow Keenan down by chopping away at his legs.
Tsoi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Keenan takes a step back to recover.
Keenan throws a sloppy head kick and Tsoi moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Tsoi throws a jab when Keenan was well out of range.
Keenan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Tsoi takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Tsoi tests Keenan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tsoi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A low kick from Tsoi is predictable there
and Tsoi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tsoi misses with a looping left.
Tsoi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Keenan misses with a straight right.
Tsoi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tsoi throws a good cross that connects.
Tsoi tries to land a front kick but Keenan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Keenan throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi lands a jab to the head.
Tsoi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tsoi misses with a straight right.
Keenan scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tsoi wants to clinch
and Keenan counters with a nice uppercut.
Keenan slips under a jab.
Keenan now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Keenan throws a body shot but no joy.
Keenan slips under a jab.
Keenan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tsoi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
An inside leg kick from Tsoi misses.
Tsoi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Keenan.
Tsoi misses with a left hand
and Keenan makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Keenan blocks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Tsoi.
Tsoi tries to clinch there but Keenan circles away.
Keenan has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Tsoi misses with a low kick.
Keenan tries a quick counter leg kick but Tsoi is wise to it.
Keenan has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Keenan is looking to chop away at Tsoi's legs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tsoi.
Keenan tries a quick counter leg kick but Tsoi is wise to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tsoi moves forwards but Keenan connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tsoi moves out of range of the body kick from Keenan.
Keenan swings for the body but Tsoi moves out of range.
Keenan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tsoi cracks a nice hook into Keenan's ribs.
Keenan 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.
Tsoi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tsoi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Keenan.
Keenan looks to throw the jab but Tsoi is out of range.
Tsoi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Tsoi clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tsoi throws a leg kick but Keenan checks it.
Keenan getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tsoi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tsoi punishes Keenan's body with a nice straight punch.
Tsoi throws a leg kick which misses Keenan's front leg but catches the back leg as Keenan tries to avoid it.
Tsoi checks the leg kick.
Tsoi jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Tsoi throws a front kick that sends Keenan stumbling back into the cage.
Tsoi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Keenan at a distance.
Keenan thuds a left hand into Tsoi's body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tsoi, right into the meat.
Tsoi misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsoi thows a body kick. Keenan tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tsoi lands with a cross.
Tsoi tried to score with a low kick but Keenan checks it.
Keenan doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
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!
Tsoi with a jab.
Keenan scores with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Keenan misses with a looping right.
Keenan looks to score with a jab to the body but Tsoi is just out of range.
Keenan moves out of range of the strikes.
Keenan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Keenan looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Tsoi looks to throw the jab but Keenan is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Keenan.
Keenan thows a leg kick but Tsoi checks it
and Tsoi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tsoi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Keenan.
Keenan looks to land a right hand but Tsoi moved out of range.
Nice jab there from Tsoi.
Keenan is looking to land body kicks.
Tsoi misses with a wild body shot.
A jab from Tsoi misses.
Tsoi lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A good leg kick by Tsoi.
Tsoi thuds a left hand into Keenan's body.
Tsoi wants to land a leg kick but Keenan is out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tsoi lands a really nice looking cross but Keenan seems unphased.
Both fighters circling a little - Keenan finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Keenan throws a lazy head kick

and Tsoi counters with a single leg into guard. Keenan didn't expect that.
Keenan looking for a sweep. Not yet Keenan, not yet.
Keenan is trying to control the position but Tsoi postures up.
Tsoi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tsoi takes a little break here. Keenan wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan is looking to regain half guard here but Tsoi keeps moving and retains side control.
A lull in the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Keenan is not content to let Tsoi control the position.
Tsoi moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
You can see the frustration on Keenan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Tsoi had his way with Gareth Keenan in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Keenan lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Keenan avoids a kick to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tsoi, right into the meat.
Good leg kick by Tsoi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Keenan lands with a straight right. Tsoi didn't see that one coming.
Keenan throws out a loose jab but Tsoi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tsoi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Keenan.
Tsoi thuds a left hand into Keenan's body.
Tsoi misses with a hook. Keenan ducked under it nicely.
Keenan let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tsoi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Keenan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fighters circling - Keenan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Keenan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tsoi throws a body kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Keenan.
Keenan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Keenan connects with a leg kick. Tsoi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tsoi throws a shot to the body.
Tsoi misses with a low kick.
Tsoi tries to clinch up.
Keenan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tsoi.
Tsoi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Keenan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tsoi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Keenan avoids the body shot from Tsoi.
Keenan 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.
Tsoi throws a leg kick which misses Keenan's front leg but catches the back leg as Keenan tries to avoid it.
Keenan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tsoi misses with a wild body shot.
Viktor Tsoi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan connects with a single shot there.
Keenan throws a hook to the side of Tsoi's head but Tsoi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Keenan looks to land a body kick but Tsoi moved away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice shot lands for Keenan.
Tsoi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tsoi swings for the body but Keenan moves out of range.
Keenan throws a sloppy head kick and Tsoi moves out of range easily.
A quick step to the side and Tsoi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Keenan has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tsoi finds it's way round the side to connect with Keenan's head.
Tsoi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Keenan doesn't seem bothered though.
Keenan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tsoi. Tsoi obviously looking to wear him down.
Tsoi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tsoi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tsoi stuns Keenan with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Keenan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Keenan throws a low kick, looking for Tsoi's leg but Tsoi calmly moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tsoi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Keenan.
Keenan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Keenan doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tsoi thumps Keenan with a low kick.
Tsoi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tsoi.
The crowd cheers as Tsoi lands an impressive looking overhand right. Keenan doesn't seem phased though.
Keenan misses with a body shot.
Keenan moves out of range as Tsoi strikes.
Tsoi throws a front kick aimed at Keenan's knee but Keenan avoids it well.
Keenan let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tsoi throws a leg kick but Keenan checks it.
Tsoi ducks under a wild hook from Keenan.
Keenan misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tsoi gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Keenan counters with a straight right hand.
Gareth Keenan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Keenan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tsoi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A big right from Keenan misses.
Tsoi lands a slapping body shot.
Keenan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tsoi.
Tsoi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Keenan just manages to avoid it.
Keenan loads up on a big right hand but Tsoi slips the punch.
Keenan misses with a body shot.
Tsoi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Keenan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tsoi.
Tsoi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Keenan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tsoi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Keenan is out of range.
Keenan walks into a straight right hand from Tsoi.
Tsoi's corner calls for a 1-2. Tsoi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Viktor Tsoi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tsoi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Viktor Tsoi!
In his post fight interview, Viktor Tsoi gave a big smile as he said 'Im on my last contract before retiring. I've achieved what's out there to achieve.'.