PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simo Halli (ranked 1368 p4p, 23172 weight class) and Jalen Kendrick (ranked 194 p4p, 530 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Halli
vs
Kendrick

180 cm
24
185
11 - 7 - 0

183 cm
24
195
3 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Simo Halli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jalen Kendrick!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Halli shoots in and gets a takedown into Kendrick's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Halli trying to control but Kendrick is working from the bottom.

Kendrick escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Halli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Halli is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kendrick is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kendrick has escaped and now he's on top!

Halli keeping moving, preventing Kendrick from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing good reports from Halli's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kendrick is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Kendrick avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Halli throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kendrick escapes and throws Halli's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Halli trying to control but Kendrick flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

Kendrick has managed to slip his arm under Halli's chin. This could be all over... yep, Halli is tapping out! Submission win for Kendrick.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jalen Kendrick!
In his post fight interview, Jalen Kendrick started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.