PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kaio Kekahuna (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandru Lupei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexandru Lupei will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kekahuna
vs
Lupei

190 cm
25
193 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

188 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kaio Kekahuna!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Alexandru Lupei!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kekahuna moves into the clinch.
Kekahuna pushes off an throws an elbow but Lupei leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Lupei lands an elbow inside that Kekahuna shrugs off.

Lupei drops Kekahuna with a big knee straight up the middle! Kekahuna is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

It looks like Kaio Kekahuna has been cut.
Lupei tries to clinch up.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Lupei.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kekahuna gets caught napping as Lupei dives in and scores a takedown. Kekahuna manages to retain guard.
Lupei tries to stand but Kekahuna is controlling from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lupei accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kekahuna had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lupei defends it easily.
Lupei working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kekahuna is striking but Lupei is not phased and passes to half guard.
Kekahuna trying to hold on to Lupei's head to control him but Lupei postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kekahuna is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lupei pulls his head out easily.
Lupei wants to stand up but Kekahuna has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Lupei is trying to control the action in half guard but Kekahuna is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kekahuna tries to roll over but Lupei keeps him under control.
Kekahuna taking some punishment here, with Lupei in his half guard.
Kekahuna preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kekahuna is looking to improve his position.
Lupei is trying to control the action in half guard but Kekahuna is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Lupei thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kekahuna's head.
Kekahuna wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Lupei is going to stand back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lupei is trying to control the action in half guard but Kekahuna is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Lupei not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kekahuna is refusing to be controlled, as Lupei sits in half guard.
Kekahuna regains full guard. Nicely done.

Kekahuna is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lupei is aware though and is defending well.
Kekahuna is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lupei tries to stand but Kekahuna is controlling from the bottom.
Kekahuna keeping full guard, as Lupei tries to pass.
Lupei trying to control but Kekahuna is working from the bottom.
Lupei trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kekahuna's guard.
Lupei loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kekahuna keeping moving, preventing Lupei from controlling successfully.

Kekahuna had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lupei defends it easily.
Lupei trying to control the position from guard on top but Kekahuna is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lupei might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kekahuna haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Alexandru Lupei.
Kekahuna circles away from the clinch attempt

and Kekahuna counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kekahuna.
Kekahuna can't get the takedown.

Kekahuna has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lupei uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupei trying to control the position from guard on top but Kekahuna is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lupei sitting in guard here, content to control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Lupei tries to stand but Kekahuna is controlling from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alexandru Lupei was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Lupei lands with a thumping leg kick.

Lupei changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kekahuna looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lupei tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Lupei tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lupei has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lupei trying to control the position but Kekahuna is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandru Lupei dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kaio Kekahuna's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lupei throws a head kick that Kekahuna semi-blocks.
Lupei throws a right and a left that Kekahuna avoids nicely.
Lupei throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kekahuna takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Lupei darts in trying to clinch
and Kekahuna counters with a nice uppercut.
Lupei throws a nice head kick!

Kekahuna gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Lupei jumps guard and drags Kekahuna to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Kekahuna stands up and waves to Lupei to follow him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kekahuna blocks a head kick by Lupei.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupei throws a head kick that misses.
Lupei tests Kekahuna's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A combination from Lupei does no damage.
Lupei tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Lupei shoots in and gets a takedown into Kekahuna's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kekahuna trying to strike off his back.

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

Kekahuna looking for a guillotine here but Lupei defends easily.
Kekahuna keeping moving, preventing Lupei from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupei is looking to stand up but Kekahuna won't let him.
Lupei postures up.
Lupei slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Alexandru Lupei.
Lupei tries to clinch up but Kekahuna circles away and keeps his distance.

Lupei shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kekahuna's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kekahuna controls Lupei momentarily but Lupei frees himself.
Lupei must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Kekahuna throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupei wanted to stand there but Kekahuna had control of the position.
Lupei works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Lupei sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kekahuna defending well though.

Kekahuna looking for submissions off his back.
Lupei is trying to control. Kekahuna wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lupei throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lupei wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kekahuna keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupei is thwarting Kekahuna's attempts to control the position.
Lupei tries to stand and escape but Kekahuna is controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alexandru Lupei was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Lupei shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Lupei was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Lupei wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kekahuna keeps working.
Kekahuna tries to bench press Lupei off him but Lupei keeps the position.
Lupei wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kekahuna keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lupei tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lupei wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kekahuna keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandru Lupei showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kaio Kekahuna's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Danga de danga de dang - Lupei scores with a four punch combination!
Lupei throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lupei looks to clinch

and Kekahuna counters by moving into the clinch.

Lupei manages to pull guard.
Lupei is looking to stand up but Kekahuna isn't so interested in that idea.
Kekahuna throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lupei works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lupei is trying to hold Kekahuna in close to prevent damage but Kekahuna has managed to pass into half guard.
Kekahuna stops Lupei from getting back to his feet.
Lupei takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lupei tries to roll over but Kekahuna keeps him under control.

Kekahuna wants to work for an arm triangle but Lupei is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupei trying to control here.
Kekahuna frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Kekahuna is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lupei has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Lupei wants to hold on but Kekahuna pushes him away.
Kekahuna prevents Lupei from getting the reversal.
Kekahuna unloading with bombs!

Kekahuna moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Lupei has worked his arm free - good work by Lupei!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupei tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lupei can't do much from the bottom here.

Kekahuna stands up and beckons Lupei to his feet.

Lupei dives in and scores a takedown into Kekahuna's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kekahuna looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lupei pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kekahuna is keeping the position for now.
Kekahuna trying to strike off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupei pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kekahuna is keeping the position for now.

Kekahuna is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lupei throws a big elbow that misses.
Lupei advances to half guard.
Lupei wants to stand but Kekahuna has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Kekahuna is staying active underneath Lupei, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lupei is thwarting Kekahuna's attempts to control the position.
Lupei tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kekahuna knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alexandru Lupei wasn't active enough on the ground.
Lupei lands a head kick. Kekahuna smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lupei looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
No joy there for Lupei, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kaio Kekahuna has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lupei lands a head kick. Kekahuna smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Lupei shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kekahuna napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lupei trying to control the position but Kekahuna is working away.
Lupei has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lupei is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kekahuna knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Alexandru Lupei is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lupei trying to control the position but Kekahuna is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexandru Lupei comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lupei has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexandru Lupei!
Alexandru Lupei tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.
In defeat, Kaio Kekahuna stepped up to the mic, saying '"Fuck this lil boy. I fought this fight with a broken hand and 2 cracked ribs!...I will smash him in the rematch when I am healthy!..Well I still got his bitch!"'.