PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ralph Hall (ranked 589 p4p, 459 weight class) and Kwasi Kwong (ranked 78 p4p, 59 weight class). Hall comes to the cage accompanied by Pinball Wizard. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Hall
vs
Kwong

180 cm
36
180
17 - 10 - 0

180 cm
26
171
19 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ralph Hall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kwasi Kwong!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hall dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hall tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kwong was well out of range. Poor timing from Hall.
A shot to the liver by Hall. Beautiful body shot.
Hall scores with a nice strike.

Hall takes the fight into the clinch.
Hall fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Hall pulls guard.

Hall working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kwong doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kwong manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Kwong got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hall has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kwong has managed to get both his arms back between Hall's legs - danger averted.
Hall has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Hall is working an open guard so Kwong takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Hall lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kwong at a distance.
Hall uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kwong.
Hall misses with a body punch
and Kwong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hall takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

It looks like Ralph Hall has been cut.
Kwong looks to throw the jab but Hall is out of range.

Hall shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kwong manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall stops Kwong from standing up.
Kwong keeping full guard, as Hall tries to pass.

Hall drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kwong dives on top into guard.

Kwong is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Hall has his foot on Kwong's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kwong works his way back into a safe position though.

Hall looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kwong sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Hall looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kwong wants to pass the guard but Hall is keeping the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kwong is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Let's hope that Kwong has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hall has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kwong can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Hall has his foot on Kwong's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kwong works his way back into a safe position though.

Hall looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Hall throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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.

Kwong stands and steps away. Hall gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hall slips under a jab from Kwong.
Hall closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Hall pushes Kwong up against the cage in a clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Kwong.

Kwong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A jab lands there for Kwong.

Hall dives in and scores a takedown into Kwong's guard.
Kwong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Hall can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kwong controls the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ralph Hall will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ralph Hall's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kwong scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hall closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kwong counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kwong lands a nice hook to Hall's body. Hall takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hall misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kwong.
Hall is looking to wear down Kwong with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kwong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hall.
Hall shoots in for a takedown but Kwong shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kwong. Hall does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hall takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hall shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kwong as he avoids it easily.
Hall tries to clinch but Kwong moves out of range.

Hall takes the fight into the clinch.
Good body shot from Kwong.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short right from Hall on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Kwong scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kwong misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kwong.
Kwong throws a punch but it's blocked by Hall.
Kwong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hall blocks an uppercut.
Hall is trying to pull guard but Kwong turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ralph Hall. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hall tries to pull guard but Kwong forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hall takes a shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kwong creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Kwong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice sprawl there from Kwong as Hall shoots in.
Kwong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kwasi Kwong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hall shoots and misses
and Kwong connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Hall is rocked!
Kwong has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kwong thows a left - swing and a miss!
Oh Hall is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kwong connects with a right hand. Hall shakes it off.
Hall avoids the body shot from Kwong.
Hall changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kwong fails to land with a series of punches.

Hall gets the takedown into side control.
Hall seems to have got his legs back now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
You can see the frustration on Kwong's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hall is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kwong is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kwong sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Hall is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kwong has managed to free his arm - good work.

Hall is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kwong is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hall is working for a submission of some sort.
Kwong preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kwong is trying to get back to full guard.

Hall is working for a submission of some sort.

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.

Hall is trying to work for a kimura but Kwong is defending well.

Hall is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kwong sees it coming and defends easily.
Kwong trying to hold on to Hall's head to control him but Hall postures up.

Kwong is defending against the submission attempts here by Hall.
Kwong regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kwasi Kwong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ralph Hall's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hall tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kwong manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hall jabs Kwong to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nice sprawl there from Kwong as Hall shoots in.
Hall shoots in looking for a takedown but Kwong manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hall's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kwong misses with a looping right.
Hall feinted with a counter takedown.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kwong.
Kwasi Kwong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hall defending well as Kwong loads up on a big left hand.
Hall lands a jab.

Kwong moves into the clinch successfully.
Kwong working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kwong has a couple of punches blocked by Hall.
Hall tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kwong just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ralph Hall. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kwong lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Hall manages to pull guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hall had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kwong defends it easily.
Hall has momentary wrist control but Kwong slips an elbow through the middle.
Kwong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hall looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kwong is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ralph Hall overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kwong passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Kwong stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hall. Kwong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kwong throws a shot from downtown. Hall moves away and avoids it.
Kwong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hall was well out of range. Poor timing from Kwong.
Kwong scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Hall looks for a takedown but Kwong sprawls well.
Hall wants to clinch.

Kwong gets caught napping as Hall dives in and scores a takedown. Kwong manages to retain guard.
Hall looking to pass the guard.
Kwong controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hall has gone for a leg lock! Kwong slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hall's guard.

Hall being controlled here, momentarily.

Hall is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kwong is aware though and is defending well.

Hall is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kwong is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kwong wants to pass the guard but Hall is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall being controlled here, momentarily.
Kwong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hall swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kwong avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kwong is stalling in the full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kwong throwing strikes from guard but Hall blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kwasi Kwong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kwong 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kwasi Kwong!
A very excited looking Kwasi Kwong made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.