PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eksem Von Ketler (ranked 1456 p4p, 162 weight class) and Jalaluddin Aziz (ranked 3252 p4p, 298 weight class). Von Ketler comes into the arena with Bonecracker- Shocore blaring out of the sound system. Aziz has chosen Dalshar Project - Afghan Rastaman as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Von Ketler
vs
Aziz

166 cm
36
149 lbs
28 - 20 - 0

177 cm
34
158 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Dark Knight Nutrition
Arcticus University: London

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 28 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eksem Von Ketler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jalaluddin Aziz!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aziz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Aziz avoids the body shot from Von Ketler.
A telegraphed right hand from Von Ketler misses the target.
Aziz has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Aziz defending well as Von Ketler loads up on a big left hand.

Von Ketler rushes Aziz and presses him up against the cage.
Von Ketler taking a breather.
Knees in the clinch landing for Von Ketler.
Von Ketler looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Von Ketler working hard to break the clinch.
Von Ketler connects with a nasty looking knee right to Aziz's face.

Aziz turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Aziz manages to end up in side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Von Ketler is looking to regain half guard here but Aziz keeps moving and retains side control.
Von Ketler manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Von Ketler with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Von Ketler working over Aziz with some ground and pound. Aziz looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Aziz is trying to control but can't.
Von Ketler is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Aziz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Von Ketler is working away from the top position though.
Von Ketler thows a huge punch but Aziz dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Von Ketler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aziz keeps working.
Nice strikes from Von Ketler there.
Von Ketler trying to control the action but Aziz is working from the bottom.
Aziz is trying to stand up here but Von Ketler is controlling him well.
Von Ketler missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Aziz has his hands clasped together around Von Ketler's back. He's all about the action.
Von Ketler scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Aziz wants to control but Von Ketler is keeping busy.
Aziz wants to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Von Ketler there.
Von Ketler blocks the strikes from Aziz.
Von Ketler is trying to control. Aziz wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Von Ketler thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aziz's head.
It looks like Von Ketler is going to stand back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Aziz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Von Ketler.
Aziz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Aziz looking to score a takedown here. Von Ketler is defending well but Aziz drives through and ends up in Von Ketler's guard.
Aziz 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 four minutes gone in the round.

Von Ketler is looking for a triangle but Aziz pushes his legs off easily.
Von Ketler bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aziz's guard.

Aziz keeping moving, preventing Von Ketler from controlling successfully.
Von Ketler wants to pass the guard but Aziz is keeping the position.

Aziz working for a triangle but Von Ketler defends it easily.
Von Ketler scoring with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eksem Von Ketler dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Aziz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Von Ketler throws a series of punches but Aziz moves out of range.
Aziz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Aziz is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Von Ketler's half guard.

Von Ketler kicks Aziz off and gets back to his feet.
Aziz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Von Ketler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Von Ketler tries to bum rush Aziz with a series of wild strikes but Aziz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Von Ketler takes a swing at Aziz's ribcage but misses.
Aziz unleashes a big counter combination but Von Ketler bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Aziz blocks a jab.
It seemed like Aziz was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aziz slips a straight right by Von Ketler.
A looping hook to the body misses from Von Ketler. Aziz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aziz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Von Ketler slaps away a takedown attempt from Aziz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aziz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Von Ketler as he jumps to the side.
Eksem Von Ketler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jalaluddin Aziz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Von Ketler has closed the distance and engaged Aziz in a clinch.
Aziz is working for takedown but Von Ketler is calmly controlling the position for now.
Von Ketler can't break the clinch.
Von Ketler stalling the fight.
Aziz is stalling here.
Aziz is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Von Ketler is keeping busy.
Von Ketler is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Von Ketler misses with a punch to the body.
Aziz avoiding damage as Von Ketler throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler misses with the head strike.
Von Ketler wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aziz has him pressed against the cage.
Von Ketler is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aziz can do to turn this around?
Von Ketler prevents a takedown attempt there.
Von Ketler misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Aziz.
Von Ketler swings wildly with an uppercut but Aziz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aziz avoids the elbow strike from Von Ketler, against the cage.
Von Ketler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aziz blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Von Ketler can't find room to land a body shot as Aziz controls the action.
Von Ketler tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Von Ketler pushes Aziz back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Von Ketler lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aziz takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Jalaluddin Aziz has been cut.
Aziz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Von Ketler breaks the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Von Ketler. Aziz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Von Ketler misses with an uppercut.
Von Ketler looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Von Ketler lunges at Aziz with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Aziz's hand.
Eksem Von Ketler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Von Ketler misses with a wild body shot.
No joy there for Von Ketler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Aziz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Aziz blocks a jab.
Eksem Von Ketler is winning the standup battle so far.
Von Ketler swinging wildly here.

Von Ketler has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Aziz blocking some punches.
Von Ketler lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Von Ketler lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Von Ketler tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Aziz avoids it.
Aziz goes for a takedown attempt but Von Ketler pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Von Ketler jabs Aziz right on the nose. Aziz blinks but takes it well.
Von Ketler throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Von Ketler closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Aziz's guard.
Aziz is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eksem Von Ketler dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jalaluddin Aziz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Aziz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aziz drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Von Ketler defends it well.
A lazy body kick from Von Ketler

and Aziz decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Von Ketler's guard.
Von Ketler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aziz is one step ahead there.
Von Ketler might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Aziz throwing strikes from guard but Von Ketler blocks nicely.
Aziz stays in close to Von Ketler's body and controls the position.
Aziz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Ketler can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Aziz controls the pace.
Von Ketler looking for a sweep. Not yet Von Ketler, not yet.
Von Ketler is trying to control the position but Aziz postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aziz is stalling in the full guard.
Von Ketler manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Aziz manages to get himself to full guard.

Aziz looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Von Ketler wants to control from the top but Aziz keeps moving.
Aziz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Von Ketler manages to get himself to full guard.

Von Ketler working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aziz trying to control but Von Ketler is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Von Ketler looking for a guillotine here but Aziz defends easily.

Von Ketler is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Aziz throwing strikes but missing.
Eksem Von Ketler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Aziz 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.
Von Ketler not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jalaluddin Aziz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aziz won't allow Von Ketler to sweep him here.
Von Ketler keeping moving, preventing Aziz from controlling successfully.
Aziz controlling from the top position.
Aziz is pushing down on Von Ketler's leg trying to pass to half guard. Von Ketler is fighting to maintain full guard but Aziz has managed to sneak the leg through.
Aziz slows the pace down in half guard.
Von Ketler is looking to control Aziz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Von Ketler avoid being mounted?
Aziz wants to take a breather but Von Ketler is having none of it.
Eksem Von Ketler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Von Ketler is controlling Aziz's position as best he can from this difficult position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The fighters circling - Von Ketler throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Von Ketler scores with a shot to the body.
Von Ketler stuffs the takedown attempt from Aziz. Aziz gets slowly back to his feet.
Aziz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Von Ketler throws a hook to the side of Aziz's head but Aziz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Aziz with the counter takedown but Von Ketler avoids it easily.
Von Ketler misses with a double jab.
Some wild striking there from Von Ketler.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Von Ketler connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Aziz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

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 Eksem Von Ketler.
Well Von Ketler 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 Shimada scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:26
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eksem Von Ketler!
Eksem Von Ketler was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.