PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rodney Garcia (ranked 1103 p4p, 158 weight class) and Solomon Kahn (ranked 3094 p4p, 385 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Solomon Kahn was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Garcia
vs
Kahn

192 cm
33
217 lbs
29 - 17 - 2

188 cm
29
213 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Revenge Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Rodney Garcia!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Solomon Kahn!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kahn digs a good hook to Garcia's body.
Kahn throws a jab but it's blocked by Garcia.
Nice sprawl there from Kahn as Garcia shoots in.
Garcia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kahn let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A jab lands there for Kahn.
Kahn buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Garcia. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Garcia.
Garcia fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Garcia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kahn tries to clinch but Garcia moves out of range.
Garcia defending well as Kahn loads up on a big left hand.
Garcia appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kahn slips under a jab.
Kahn fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Garcia has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Garcia lands with a shot to the body.
Kahn checks a leg kick nicely.

Kahn clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kahn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kahn blocking some punches.
Kahn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Garcia tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kahn's elbow.
Kahn tries a body shot but Garcia blocks it.
Kahn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kahn tries to throw a body punch but Garcia avoids it by throwing Kahn back against the cage.
Kahn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Kahn pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Garcia looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kahn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Garcia closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kahn's guard.
Kahn working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Garcia.
Garcia wants to pass the guard but Kahn is keeping the position.
Garcia's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia won't allow Kahn to get back to his feet.
Kahn has his hands on Garcia's head, controlling the position.
Kahn wants to sweep here but Garcia controlling him for the moment.
Kahn wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Garcia manages to pass to side control.
Garcia wants to control but Kahn is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahn taking some punishment here, with Garcia in his half guard.
Garcia looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kahn moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kahn is pulling down on Garcia's head to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Garcia working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kahn keeping moving, preventing Garcia from controlling successfully.
Garcia connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kahn wants to get back to his feet but Garcia is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia with a nice head shot there.
Kahn working a defensive guard here.
Garcia looking to pass the guard.
Kahn working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Garcia drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kahn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
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 Rodney Garcia will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Garcia shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kahn's guard.
Garcia stays in close to Kahn's body and controls the position.
Garcia in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kahn trying to control the position here.
Garcia won't allow Kahn to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahn keeping moving, preventing Garcia from controlling successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahn trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Garcia throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kahn looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Garcia stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kahn.
Garcia misses with an uppercut. Kahn saw that one coming.
Kahn thumps Garcia with a low kick.

Garcia drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kahn looking for a sweep. Not yet Kahn, not yet.
Kahn keeping moving, preventing Garcia from controlling successfully.
Garcia being controlled here momentarily.
Kahn has momentary wrist control but Garcia slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahn keeping moving, preventing Garcia from controlling successfully.
Kahn manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Garcia manages to get himself to full guard.

Garcia is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Garcia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kahn is one step ahead there.
Kahn tries to stand but Garcia is controlling from the bottom.
Garcia keeping moving, preventing Kahn from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia working a defensive guard but Kahn passes into half guard.
Garcia is looking to improve his position.
Garcia wants to get back to full guard but Kahn has mounted him!
Garcia tries to lock up and control but Kahn gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kahn controlling from the full mount.
Garcia tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kahn tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kahn wants to stand but Garcia is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia is trying to escape the mount.
Garcia is working hard here to advance position.
Kahn can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Garcia is looking to escape.
Garcia sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Garcia actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Solomon Kahn will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kahn fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Garcia, pushing him back against the cage.
Kahn misses with the head strike.

Garcia has picked Kahn up - he's going for a ride! Garcia dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Garcia prevents Kahn from standing back up.
Garcia thows a huge punch but Kahn dodges it nicely.
Kahn moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Garcia working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rodney Garcia overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahn managing to control the position.
Kahn bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Garcia's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahn wants to stand and escape but instead Garcia has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Kahn is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Garcia dives into side control.
Kahn takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Kahn manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Garcia thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kahn's head.
Still in half guard, Garcia seems content to control.
Kahn preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kahn moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia trying to control the position from guard on top but Kahn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Garcia working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kahn's head.
Kahn can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Garcia controls the pace.
Garcia is working Kahn over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Garcia is looking to pass into half guard but Kahn pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Kahn is in guard.

Garcia trying to control the position.
Kahn's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahn passes into half guard.
Kahn with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Garcia tries to get to full guard but Kahn has control of the leg.
Garcia has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kahn is working away from the top position though.
Kahn throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Kahn stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Garcia to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The crowd cheers as Garcia lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kahn doesn't seem phased though.
Kahn misses the shot to the body.
Garcia fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kahn avoids it really well and circles away.
Garcia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kahn is fending him off so far but Garcia persists. Nope, Kahn circles away and we're back to standing.
A jab from Kahn misses.
Garcia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodney Garcia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garcia cracks Kahn with an open hand slap.
Kahn takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kahn tries to clinch up but Garcia circles away and keeps his distance.
Garcia lands with a slapping head kick.
Garcia tries for a takedown but Kahn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Garcia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kahn tries to counter with a clinch but Garcia shakes him off and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Rodney Garcia did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Garcia tries a head kick but it misses.
Garcia throws a big shot that misses.
Garcia throws a hook to the side of Kahn's head but Kahn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rodney Garcia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kahn misses with a body shot.
Kahn misses with a wild body shot.
Garcia throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Garcia misses with a straight left.
Kahn will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Garcia throws a right hand that Kahn ducks under and follows up with a left that Kahn also avoids with ease.
Garcia blocks a jab.
Garcia was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Garcia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahn is looking to chop away at Garcia's legs.
Garcia throws the left hand but Kahn avoids the punch easily.
Kahn lands with a thumping leg kick.

Kahn clinches up with Garcia and pushes him back against the cage.
Kahn has a couple of punches blocked by Garcia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahn softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kahn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Garcia breaks the clinch.
Garcia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kahn only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Kahn blocks a jab.
Garcia throws a good cross that connects.
Garcia throws out a leg kick but Kahn moves out of range and Garcia only half commits.
Garcia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Garcia throws a series of punches but Kahn avoids them all with ease.
Kahn has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Garcia finds it's way round the side to connect with Kahn's head.
Kahn lands a slapping body shot.
Garcia throws a hook but Kahn avoids it easily.
Kahn misses with a wild body shot.
Garcia shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kahn tries to counter with a clinch but Garcia shakes him off and moves away.
Kahn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Garcia works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia circles away from the clinch attempt.
Garcia paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kahn ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kahn swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Kahn moves into the clinch.
Kahn tries to circle away but Garcia has him pinned against the cage.
Kahn misses with a body punch.

Kahn's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Garcia misses with a head kick.
Kahn works Garcia's body with a nice hook.
Kahn connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kahn is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Garcia rather than just go for the knockout.
Kahn looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Garcia takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice takedown defense from Kahn. No joy for Garcia on that attempt.
Kahn fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Garcia jabs at Kahn's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahn lands with a good body shot.
Kahn throws a series of punches but Garcia moves out of range.
Kahn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Garcia manages to avoid it.
Nice shot lands for Garcia.
Kahn tries to clinch there but Garcia circles away.
Kahn dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Garcia will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodney Garcia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garcia throws out a loose jab but Kahn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kahn throws a body shot but no joy.
Kahn misses with a body shot.
Garcia shoots in looking for a takedown but Kahn manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Garcia's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Garcia tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kahn sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Garcia somewhat.

Kahn closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Garcia manages to break the clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kahn, right into the meat.
Garcia throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Garcia throws a sloppy head kick and Kahn moves out of range easily.

Kahn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kahn can't find room to land a body shot as Garcia controls the action.
Kahn tries to work over Garcia's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Kahn's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Garcia fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Garcia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kahn.
Garcia throws a hook but Kahn avoids it easily.
Kahn blocks a jab.
Garcia gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kahn counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Kahn dominated that fourth 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Garcia misses with a head kick.
Kahn takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Garcia tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kahn was well out of range. Poor timing from Garcia.
Garcia keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice body punch from Garcia.
Garcia misses with a head kick.
Kahn is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Solomon Kahn seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Garcia tests Kahn's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kahn avoids the body shot from Garcia.
Garcia is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kahn stuffs the takedown.
Kahn misses with a wild combination.
Kahn takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcia swats away the attempt to clinch by Kahn.
Garcia throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kahn counters with a slapping leg kick.
Garcia feints and then cracks Kahn's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kahn down.
Garcia blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kahn moves into the clinch successfully.
Kahn working hard to break the clinch.
Kahn lands a left hand.
Garcia jumps guard but Kahn stands there with Garcia around his waist. Garcia gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Garcia blocks a body shot from Kahn.

Kahn breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Garcia takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Garcia shoots for a takedown but Kahn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodney Garcia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kahn moves in looking to clinch but Garcia pushes him off.
Nice takedown defense from Kahn. No joy for Garcia on that attempt.
Kahn slips under a jab from Garcia.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kahn gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kahn 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.
Garcia trying to control but Kahn is working from the bottom.
Kahn is adopting a defensive guard.
Kahn looking to hit a scissor sweep but Garcia is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia trying to control but Kahn is working from the bottom.
Kahn wants to stand up but Garcia is controlling him.
Garcia trying to control but Kahn is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Garcia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Garcia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kahn takes one to the chin there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Garcia shoots in for a takedown but Kahn shows good takedown defense.
Kahn avoids the head kick by Garcia.

Kahn closes the distance and clinches.
Kahn lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kahn keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garcia's efforts to push away.
Kahn is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kahn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Garcia's elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kahn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Solomon Kahn.
I think Kahn has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight for Solomon Kahn!
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight for Solomon Kahn!
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight for Solomon Kahn!

Solomon Kahn wins by unanimous decision!
Solomon Kahn is the new light heavyweight champion!
An out of breath Solomon Kahn thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.