PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Odell Paquette (ranked 1289 p4p, 68 weight class) and Eksem Von Ketler (ranked 816 p4p, 42 weight class). Von Ketler has chosen Bonecracker- Shocore as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Paquette
vs
Von Ketler

177 cm
33
143 lbs
24 - 15 - 1

166 cm
25
139 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Odell Paquette!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eksem Von Ketler!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Anthony Taglia and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Von Ketler lands a slapping body shot.
Paquette cracks Von Ketler with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Odell Paquette seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paquette missing with a left hand there. Von Ketler was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Paquette misses with a wild body shot.
Von Ketler with the counter takedown but Paquette avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Paquette. No joy for Von Ketler on that attempt.
Von Ketler will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Paquette slips under a jab from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler throws a right hand that misses
and Paquette finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
A cross from Von Ketler lands.
Paquette lands a glancing blow to the side of Von Ketler's head.
Von Ketler throws a shot from downtown. Paquette moves away and avoids it.
Paquette looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Von Ketler works over Paquette's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Von Ketler looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Paquette throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Paquette 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.
Von Ketler moves out of range as Paquette strikes.
Paquette throws a nice looking combination but Von Ketler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler slips a straight right by Paquette.
Von Ketler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paquette moves away.
Paquette throws a hook to the side of Von Ketler's head but Von Ketler sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Paquette falls off balance throwing a combination

and Von Ketler counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Paquette is controlling Von Ketler's trapped leg to prevent Von Ketler from advancing to side control.
Von Ketler looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Von Ketler prevents Paquette from standing back up.
Von Ketler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Paquette keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Von Ketler sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Paquette defending well though.
Von Ketler stops Paquette from getting back to his feet.
Paquette trying to control from the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Von Ketler working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler drops an elbow to the side of Paquette's head.
Paquette is trying to control but can't.
Von Ketler not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Paquette is not content to let Von Ketler control the position.
Von Ketler takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Von Ketler looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Von Ketler scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Paquette is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Von Ketler stalling away here and it's allowed Paquette to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler looking to pass the guard.
Paquette keeping moving, preventing Von Ketler from controlling successfully.
Von Ketler preventing the sweep.
Von Ketler postures up in Paquette's guard and throws a big left but Paquette blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paquette wants to stand but Von Ketler is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Von Ketler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Von Ketler has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Paquette is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Von Ketler is controlling him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Paquette misses with a wild body shot.
Paquette tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Von Ketler was well out of range. Poor timing from Paquette.
Von Ketler keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Paquette.
Nice defenses there by Paquette.
Von Ketler feints a jab promting Paquette to slip. Von Ketler then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Paquette slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Von Ketler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Paquette tries to avoid it but Von Ketler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Paquette to the ground. Paquette escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Von Ketler goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Von Ketler scores with the left hand. Paquette knows he should have avoided that one.
Paquette looks to land a right hand but Von Ketler moved out of range.
Von Ketler blocks a head kick by Paquette.
Paquette fails to land with a series of punches.
Paquette throws a predictable looking body shot

and Von Ketler counters with a nice double leg into side control. Paquette won't be happy with that.
Von Ketler prevents Paquette from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eksem Von Ketler dominated that 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.

Von Ketler misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Von Ketler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Paquette lands with a kick to the temple. Von Ketler shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A big right from Paquette misses.
Von Ketler with the counter takedown but Paquette avoids it easily.
Von Ketler thuds his right hand into Paquette's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Paquette steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Von Ketler.
Nice body punch from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler goes for a double leg but Paquette avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Paquette continues to drive forward.
Paquette blocks a jab.

Von Ketler feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Paquette is pulling down on Von Ketler's head to control his posture.
Von Ketler is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Paquette working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Von Ketler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler postures up.
Von Ketler scoring with some ground and pound.
Von Ketler slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Von Ketler throws a big right hand that misses.
Paquette is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Von Ketler trying to control but Paquette is working from the bottom.
Paquette is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Von Ketler slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Von Ketler in side control, throwing shots but Paquette defends.
Von Ketler working the ground and pound but Paquette is defending the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquette manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Von Ketler content to control rather than advance.
Von Ketler trying to pass the guard but Paquette defending well.
Von Ketler is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Paquette has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Von Ketler is working away from the top position though.
Von Ketler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Paquette pushes Von Ketler off looking to stand but Von Ketler dives back in and keeps control.
Paquette keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Paquette wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler wants to pass the guard but Paquette is defending well.
Paquette is trying to stand up here but Von Ketler is controlling him well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Paquette misses with a looping right.
Paquette thows a left - swing and a miss!
Paquette gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Von Ketler lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Paquette at a distance.
Von Ketler fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Von Ketler feints and as Paquette raises his hands in defense, Von Ketler changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Von Ketler stopping the sweep attempt from Paquette.
Paquette is working hard here to advance position.
Von Ketler missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Von Ketler working some strikes from top position.
Paquette working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Von Ketler.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Von Ketler postures up and lands a big shot to Paquette's brow.
Von Ketler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Von Ketler trying to control but Paquette is working from the bottom.
Paquette wants to stand and escape but Von Ketler is having none of it.
Von Ketler chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paquette pulls Von Ketler in close to his closed guard and prevents Von Ketler from doing any damage or advancing position.
Von Ketler wants to control from the top but Paquette keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paquette is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Von Ketler is controlling him.
Von Ketler postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eksem Von Ketler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! 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.

Von Ketler misses with a right hand
and Paquette counters with a lovely straight right hand!
No luck for Von Ketler with that takedown attempt.
Paquette misses with a looping left.
Paquette tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Von Ketler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Von Ketler with the counter takedown but Paquette avoids it easily.
Von Ketler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Von Ketler throws an overhand right that lands on Paquette's shoulder, as Paquette tries to avoid the shot.
It looked like Paquette wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Paquette throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Von Ketler sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Von Ketler feints the counter takedown.
Von Ketler throws a jab when Paquette was well out of range.
Von Ketler swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paquette pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Von Ketler's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Paquette connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Von Ketler scrambles back to his feet.
Paquette throws a hook to the side of Von Ketler's head but Von Ketler sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler misses with a takedown attempt - Paquette sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Paquette on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Paquette misses with a looping left.
Paquette misses with a straight right.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Von Ketler crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Paquette - the referee stops the clock and Von Ketler gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Paquette. Von Ketler manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Von Ketler.
Odell Paquette has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eksem Von Ketler.
Paquette throws an overhand right that lands on Von Ketler's shoulder, as Von Ketler tries to avoid the shot.
Paquette connects with a crisp jab.
Nice takedown defense from Paquette. No joy for Von Ketler on that attempt.
Paquette misses with a hook. Von Ketler ducked under it nicely.
A combination from Von Ketler does no damage.
Paquette throws a jab but it's blocked by Von Ketler.
Odell Paquette is winning the standup battle so far.
Paquette scores with a head kick. Von Ketler tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquette misses with a hook.
Von Ketler misses with an uppercut. Paquette saw that one coming.
Paquette scores with the left hand. Von Ketler knows he should have avoided that one.

Von Ketler looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Paquette!
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!
Von Ketler is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Von Ketler throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Odell Paquette has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Von Ketler wants to control but Paquette is keeping him busy.
Von Ketler scores with punches from side control.
Paquette tries to escape but Von Ketler is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Von Ketler tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Von Ketler working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Paquette throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Paquette scores with a three punch combo!
Von Ketler scores with a nice right hand.
Paquette throws a jab but it's blocked by Von Ketler.
Eksem Von Ketler is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paquette misses with a series of wild punches.
Von Ketler goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paquette getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Von Ketler keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Von Ketler.
Nice defenses there by Paquette.
Von Ketler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Paquette misses with a low kick as Von Ketler jumps back.
Paquette ducks under a wild hook from Von Ketler.
Paquette throwing a counter right hand but Von Ketler manages to avoid it.
Von Ketler defending well as Paquette loads up on a big left hand.
Von Ketler misses with a lunging right hand
and Paquette counters with a stiff right hand.
Paquette loads up on a big right hand but Von Ketler slips the punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Odell Paquette showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Von Ketler 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eksem Von Ketler!
Eksem Von Ketler gave a mention to Conviction in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).