PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Xilef Xenox (ranked 6552 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Specht (ranked 7109 p4p, 0 weight class). Specht has chosen blablabla as his entrance music. Xilef Xenox is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Xenox
vs
Specht

175 cm
18
145 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

174 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Xilef Xenox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Specht!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taro Takaoka and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Specht closes the distance and clinches up with Xenox, looking for a takedown. Specht pushes Xenox against the cage but Xenox circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Specht shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Xenox but Xenox pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Xenox tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Specht shoots in for a takedown but Xenox shows good takedown defense.
Xilef Xenox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Specht.
Nice sprawl there from Xenox as Specht shoots in.
As Specht tries to get set, Xenox tries to push him back and clinch up but Specht manages to avoid the attempt.
Specht throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Xenox's waist but Xenox gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Specht off to one side.
Specht will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Specht shoots in looking for a takedown. Xenox tries to sprawl out of it but Specht keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Xenox manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xenox darts in looking for a takedown but Specht gets double underhooks and turns Xenox into the cage.
Specht doesn't manage to clinch there - Xenox circles away.
Specht tries to close the distance and clinch up but Xenox swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Specht has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Xenox is landing a low percentage of strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick by Specht misses

and Xenox counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Xenox slips a nice elbow through Specht's hands, connecting with Specht's forehead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Specht looks winded!
Xenox slows the pace down in half guard.

Xenox is looking for a kimura but Specht is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Xenox to get the leverage.
Xenox lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Xenox takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Specht looks like he's trying to stand up.
Xenox perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Xenox prevents Specht from standing back up.
Xenox is looking to advance position but Specht won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Specht shoots in for a takedown but Xenox shows good takedown defense.
Specht shoots in for a takedown but Xenox shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Xenox changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Specht throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Specht dives in for a single leg takedown but Xenox sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Xenox bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Xenox takes a little break here. Specht wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Specht is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Specht managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Xenox.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Specht pushes Xenox away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Xenox gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Xenox decides to stand back up. Xenox steps back and let's Specht get back to his feet.
Specht shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Xenox as he jumps to the side.
Xenox shoots in for a takedown but Specht shows good takedown defense.
Specht tries to clinch there but Xenox circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Xenox fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Specht to the ground. Xenox is now in Specht's guard.
Xenox in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Xenox 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xilef Xenox dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Specht throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Xenox keeps the fight on the outside.
Specht throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Xenox's waist but Xenox gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Specht off to one side.
Xilef Xenox is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Specht moves in looking to clinch but Xenox pushes him off.
Specht shoots in for a double leg but Xenox sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Xenox shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Specht's guard.
Xenox showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xenox pushing down on Specht's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Specht is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Xenox is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Xenox looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Xenox prevents Specht from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Xenox stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Specht to get to his feet.
Xenox swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Specht doesn't manage to clinch there - Xenox circles away.
Xenox keeps the fight on the outside.
Specht closes the distance but Xenox moves to the side

and Xenox counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Xenox.
Xenox stops Specht from standing up.
Xenox working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Xenox throws an elbow that misses. Specht uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Xenox's guard. Nice move by Specht!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Specht throws a big right hand that misses.
Xenox is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Xenox manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Specht manages to get himself to full guard.

Xenox stays in close to Specht's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Specht wants to stand but Xenox is controlling the position.
Xenox has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Xenox throws a big elbow that misses.
Xenox controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Specht wants to stand but Xenox is controlling the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Specht is working an open guard so Xenox takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xilef Xenox dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

A nice combination there by Specht.
Specht is looking to clinch but Xenox is avoiding it.
Specht takes one to the side of the head.
Specht shoots in for a takedown but Xenox shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Specht tries to clinch but Xenox is having none of it.
Xenox shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Specht counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Xenox shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Specht wants to get back to his feet.
Specht is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xenox decides to return to a standing position.
Xenox throws a body shot but no joy.
Specht shoots in and drives through. Xenox sprawls well.
Specht takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Xenox drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Specht is looking to get back to his feet here but Xenox is keeping cool and he's managed to take Specht's back.

Specht is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xenox scores with punches to the body.
Specht is trying to get back to his feet but Xenox has full control of the position and if anything, Specht has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Xenox looking for the RNC.
Specht wants to get back to his feet.
Xenox slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Xilef Xenox overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Specht wants to get back to his feet.
Ken Specht has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.

Xenox looking to break Specht's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Specht remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Xenox will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Specht fending off the submission attempt from Xenox.
Xenox is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Specht is trying to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xilef Xenox showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Xenox 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xilef Xenox!
After the fight, Xilef Xenox was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.