PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Don Domino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maynard Keenan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Domino
vs
Keenan

183 cm
25
191 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

182 cm
25
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Don Domino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maynard Keenan!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Franklyn Lucas and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Domino lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Keenan circles away quickly and effectively.
Keenan has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Domino is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Keenan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Domino as he avoids it easily.
Keenan goes for a double leg but Domino avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Domino continues to drive forward.

Keenan has taken the fight to the clinch.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Domino gets the takedown into side control.
Keenan wants to get back to his feet but Domino is dominant here and he's now got Keenan's back!
Domino scores with punches and elbows.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Domino tries to keep control of the position but Keenan is staying busy.
Keenan covering up well and avoiding damage.
Keenan is trying to get back to his feet but Domino has full control of the position and if anything, Keenan has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Domino.
Domino lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Keenan.
Domino is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Domino punches Keenan on the ear.
A lull in the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan is trying to get back to his feet but Domino has full control of the position and if anything, Keenan has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Keenan breaks Domino's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Keenan tries to free his leg and advance position but Domino is retaining full guard.
Keenan wants to get up but he can't break Domino's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Keenan decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Keenan misses with a takedown
and Domino counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Don Domino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maynard Keenan.
Keenan is looking to clinch but Domino is avoiding it.
Domino misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Keenan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan blocks a body shot from Domino.

Keenan breaks the clinch.
Keenan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Keenan wants it to stay on the feet.
Domino moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKeenan.
Domino scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Keenan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Keenan lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Domino.

Keenan has Domino pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Keenan pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Domino tumbling to the mat - Keenan dives into Domino's guard.

Domino uses the cage to get back to his feet.
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!

Keenan forces Domino back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Domino tries to break free but Keenan pushes him back against the cage.
Keenan tries a body shot but Domino blocks it.
Domino stops a takedown attempt from Keenan.
Keenan jumps guard but Domino turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Keenan looking to stall.
Keenan is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Domino is defending well.
Domino looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Domino is trying to push Keenan away but Keenan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Domino tries to pull guard but Keenan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Keenan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Domino has his takedown stuffed

and Keenan counters by moving into the clinch.
Keenan throws a punch but it's blocked by Domino.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Don Domino will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Keenan closes the distance and clinches.
Domino jumps guard but Keenan turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Keenan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Domino's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Domino scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Keenan takes the fight into the clinch.
Domino prevents a body shot from Keenan.
Keenan stalling the fight.
Keenan pressing his opponent against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Keenan's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Keenan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Domino's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Domino misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Keenan.
Keenan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Domino gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Don Domino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maynard Keenan.

Keenan manages to break the clinch.

Keenan gets a clinch.
Keenan looking to stall.
Maynard Keenan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Domino escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Keenan stuffs the takedown.
Domino works over Keenan's head and body with a nice combination.
A combination from Domino does no damage.
Domino lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Domino tries a head kick but it misses.

Domino tries to keep at a distance but Keenan has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Keenan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A jab from Domino does it's job there.

Keenan clinches up with Domino and pushes him back against the cage.
Domino is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Keenan drags the fight down to the ground.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Domino accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Domino is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Domino avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Keenan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Domino.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Domino trying to control but Keenan is working from the bottom.
Keenan wants to stand and escape but Domino is having none of it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Keenan looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Domino has picked Keenan up and slammed him! Keenan can't keep hold of the triangle and Domino manages to pass to side control!
Keenan is not content to let Domino control the position.
Keenan is trying to get back to his feet.

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.
Keenan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Keenan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Keenan is breathing heavily.
Keenan holds on to Domino's head and controls the position momentarily.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Domino throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Keenan.
Domino throws a series of punches but Keenan avoids them all with ease.
Keenan is looking to clinch but Domino is avoiding it.

Keenan has closed the distance and engaged Domino in a clinch.
Keenan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Domino just stands there and leans against the cage.
Domino wants to get back to striking at distance but Keenan won't allow it.
Domino has had enough of the clinch but Keenan keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Domino dominated that second round.
That's time! Domino's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Keenan closes the distance but Domino moves to the side
and Domino counters with a left and a right that stings Keenan.
Domino dives in for a single leg takedown but Keenan sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Domino misses with an uppercut
and Keenan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nice sprawl there from Keenan as Domino shoots in.

Keenan forces Domino back against the cage and clinches.
Keenan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Domino is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Keenan stalls.
Domino goes for a takedown attempt but Keenan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Domino. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Domino avoids it really well and circles away.
Domino lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Keenan circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Domino misses with a wild combination.
Don Domino is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Keenan stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Keenan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Keenan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Keenan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Domino dives in and grabs Keenan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Keenan pushes down on Domino's head and hops out.

Keenan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Domino is trying to push Keenan away but Keenan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Domino jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Keenan walks away with a smile on his face. Domino gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Keenan moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A short right from Keenan.
Keenan is looking to take this one to the mat.
Keenan is stalling here.
Keenan stalling in the clinch.
Keenan receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Keenan tries to land a knee to the head but Domino blocks with his arms.
Domino is trying to break the clinch but Keenan is controlling him.
Keenan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Domino pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Keenan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Keenan moves in looking to clinch but Domino pushes him off.
Keenan tries to clinch but Domino is having none of it.
Domino misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Keenan instigates a clinch.
Domino letting Keenan take a breather here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Keenan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Keenan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Keenan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Don Domino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Domino tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Keenan swivels and escapes.
Keenan connects with a body shot.
Keenan tries to clinch but Domino is having none of it.
Keenan slips a jab and a cross from Domino.
Keenan doesn't manage to clinch there - Domino circles away.

Keenan closes the distance and pushes Domino back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Keenan holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Keenan swings wildly with an uppercut but Domino uses good head movement to avoid it.

Domino breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Domino keeps the fight on the outside.
Keenan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Domino appears to be looking for a big counter.
Keenan wants to clinch but Domino slips to the side
and Domino counters with a straight right hand.
Maynard Keenan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Don Domino is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Keenan takes a body punch but keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maynard Keenan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Domino 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Don Domino!
A determined Don Domino didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!