PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between New York Strangler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Kenyon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenyon has chosen The Illinois Enema Bandit as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

York Strangler
vs
Kenyon

175 cm
30
167 lbs
11 - 7 - 1

179 cm
26
181 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, New York Strangler!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Kenyon!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Steve Montenegro and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kenyon lands a head shot.
Kenyon thows a body shot but no joy.
Kenyon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kenyon thuds a left hand into Strangler's body.
Strangler shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kenyon sprawls well. Kenyon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Strangler gets slowly back to his feet.
Strangler moves out of range of the strikes.
Strangler slips under a jab from Kenyon.
Kenyon lands a jab-cross combination.
Strangler bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kenyon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kenyon. Strangler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kenyon scores with a jab.
Kenyon scores with a nice head shot.
Kenyon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kenyon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strangler moves away.
Strangler moves out of range as Kenyon strikes.
Kenyon misses the jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kenyon. Strangler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Strangler shoots in looking for a takedown. Kenyon tries to sprawl out of it but Strangler keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kenyon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Strangler avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenyon lands with an overhand left.
Kenyon connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Strangler momentarily.
Strangler tries to clinch there but Kenyon circles away.
Kenyon scores with the left hand. Strangler knows he should have avoided that one.
Kenyon swings widly with a right hand

and Strangler counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Strangler.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Strangler wants to stand but Kenyon has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Kenyon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Strangler doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Strangler manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Strangler content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Strangler wants to control from the top but Kenyon keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strangler is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kenyon is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Strangler won't allow Kenyon to sweep him here.
Strangler tries to free his leg and advance position but Kenyon is retaining full guard.
Strangler postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Strangler looking to pass the guard.
Strangler is working hard here to advance position.
Strangler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Kenyon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Strangler passes into half guard.
Kenyon regains full guard. Nicely done.

Kenyon looking for a guillotine here but Strangler defends easily.
Strangler cracks Kenyon with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kenyon is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Strangler trying to control the position from guard on top but Kenyon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strangler working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Strangler wants to stand but Kenyon has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Strangler is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Strangler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kenyon swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Strangler wants to control from the top but Kenyon keeps moving.

Kenyon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Strangler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Kenyon dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Strangler throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kenyon misses with a takedown attempt

and Strangler counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kenyon is staying active underneath Strangler, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kenyon is trying to get back to full guard.
Strangler drops an elbow to the side of Kenyon's head.
Kenyon gets full guard.
Kenyon can't keep his opponent in guard - Strangler advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kenyon moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Strangler trying to control the position from guard on top but Kenyon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strangler got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kenyon has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Strangler has managed to get both his arms back between Kenyon's legs - danger averted.
Strangler with a nice head shot there.
Strangler wants to pass the guard but Kenyon is keeping the position.
Strangler postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kenyon tries to strike from the bottom.

Kenyon is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Strangler defends well.

Kenyon looking for a guillotine here but Strangler defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kenyon is breathing heavily.

Strangler gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenyon connects with a right hand. Strangler shakes it off.
Strangler keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kenyon.
Strangler misses with a series of wild punches.
Kenyon throws a jab but it's blocked by Strangler.

Kenyon gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Strangler to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Strangler scoring with some ground and pound.
Strangler passes Kenyon's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kenyon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Strangler is working away from the top position though.
Kenyon is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenyon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Strangler.

Strangler seems to be looking for submissions.
Kenyon lands a couple of sideways elbows.
Kenyon wants to get back to full guard.
Strangler tries to pass to full mount but Kenyon defends it.

Kenyon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Strangler is looking for a kimura here.
Strangler working over Kenyon with some ground and pound. Kenyon looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kenyon moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strangler tries to free his leg and advance position but Kenyon is retaining full guard.
Strangler missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Strangler drops back looking for a leg! Kenyon is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kenyon manages to kick Strangler off! Strangler jumps back into Kenyon's guard.
Strangler trying to control but Kenyon is working from the bottom.
Kenyon keeping full guard, as Strangler tries to pass.
Strangler passes Kenyon's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Strangler not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Kenyon is defending against the submission attempts here by Strangler.

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

New York Strangler dominated that second 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.

Kenyon throws a big shot that misses.
Strangler misses with an attempted mid kick.
A slow jab from Kenyon misses its intended target.
Kenyon swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Strangler.
Kenyon throws a poor cross that misses

and Strangler counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kenyon won't be happy with that.
Strangler trying to control the position but Kenyon is working away.
Kenyon is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Strangler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kenyon keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenyon striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

Strangler has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Kenyon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Strangler slips under a jab.

Strangler shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kenyon is trying to defend but Strangler finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kenyon wants to control but Strangler is keeping busy.
Strangler trying to control from half guard but Kenyon is working away.
Strangler wants to stand but Kenyon has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strangler trying to pass the guard but Kenyon defending well.
Strangler wants to control but Kenyon is keeping him busy.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kenyon wants to get back to full guard.

Kenyon actively working from the bottom here.
Strangler looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kenyon with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Kenyon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Strangler pulls his head out easily.
Strangler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Strangler is looking to take a break and control but Kenyon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kenyon wants to get back to full guard.
Strangler passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strangler stands up from mount. Strange move.
Kenyon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kenyon tries to bum rush Strangler with a series of wild strikes but Strangler uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kenyon throws a predictable looking body shot

and Strangler counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Strangler trying to control from half guard but Kenyon is working away.
Kenyon trying to hold on to Strangler's head to control him but Strangler postures up.
Strangler looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kenyon missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenyon trying to control from the bottom.
Strangler wants to pass to mount but Kenyon is defending the position.
Strangler lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Strangler is pressing down on Kenyon's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kenyon is holding on for now.
Kenyon trying to control here.
Strangler tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kenyon controls his leg.
New York Strangler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kenyon moves into full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Strangler preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

New York Strangler clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice uppercut lands for Kenyon. That snapped Strangler's head back.
No joy there for Strangler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Strangler is looking to clinch.
Strangler shoots and misses
and Kenyon counters with a nice uppercut.
Strangler tries for a takedown but Kenyon sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kenyon just misses with a punch to the body.
Kenyon rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Strangler counters with a single leg into guard. Kenyon didn't expect that.

Strangler postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kenyon is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Strangler, into his guard.
Kenyon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenyon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Strangler trying to keep a closed guard but Kenyon is proving a slippery customer.
Kenyon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Strangler is keeping the position for now.
Kenyon trying to control but Strangler is working from the bottom.
Strangler controls Kenyon momentarily but Kenyon frees himself.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Strangler holds on and takes a little breather.

We're going to have a standup here because New York Strangler wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kenyon lands a two punch combo.

That's two 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.
Kenyon lands with a nice body punch.
Kenyon scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
New York Strangler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kenyon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kenyon throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Strangler counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Strangler.
Strangler works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Strangler tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Kenyon moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Kenyon working for submissions but it's allowed Strangler to get to half guard.

Kenyon is defending against the submission attempts here by Strangler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenyon is looking to control Strangler's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kenyon avoid being mounted?
Kenyon flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Strangler trying to control the action but Kenyon is working from the bottom.
Kenyon works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kenyon wants to sweep but no luck.
Strangler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Strangler slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kenyon is trying to improve his position.

That's four 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.
Strangler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kenyon keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Kenyon's face as Strangler controls the position.
Kenyon regains half guard.
Strangler works his foot free and advances to mount.
Strangler landing shots from mount.
Strangler is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kenyon is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

New York Strangler had his way with Michael Kenyon in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Strangler darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Strangler wants to pass the guard but Kenyon is defending well.

Strangler is trying to work for a kimura but Kenyon is defending well.

Kenyon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Strangler wants to stand up but Kenyon is controlling the position.
Kenyon flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Kenyon is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Strangler is trying to control the action in half guard but Kenyon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kenyon regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenyon thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Kenyon tries to strike from the bottom.
Strangler wants to stand and escape but instead Kenyon has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Strangler uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Kenyon lands a jab to the head.
Kenyon misses with a looping right.
Kenyon shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Strangler sprawls well. Strangler wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kenyon gets slowly back to his feet.

Strangler shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenyon tries to hold on but Strangler postures up.
Kenyon slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Strangler tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kenyon controls his leg.
Strangler is looking to take a break and control but Kenyon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Strangler trying to control the pace.
Strangler not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Kenyon looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenyon won't allow Strangler to pass to mount.
Kenyon is looking to improve his position.

Kenyon looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Strangler is trying to control the action in half guard but Kenyon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Strangler prevents Kenyon from improving his position.
Strangler is looking to advance position but Kenyon won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Strangler works his foot free and advances to mount.

Strangler looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Kenyon keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kenyon is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Strangler unloading with bombs!
Kenyon is in a horrible position here. Strangler smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Strangler can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kenyon is looking to escape.
Michael Kenyon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Strangler unloading with bombs!

And that's the end of the fight!
New York Strangler showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Strangler has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 49:46
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... New York Strangler!
New York Strangler is the new welterweight champion!