PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steven Kennedy (ranked 3638 p4p, 411 weight class) and Yen Askren (ranked 4468 p4p, 473 weight class). Askren comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Hello from the Askren Side kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Kennedy
vs
Askren

183 cm
32
178 lbs
12 - 19 - 0

178 cm
25
185 lbs
11 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 12 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steven Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Yen Askren!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Steve Montenegro and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A jab from Askren misses.
Askren blocks a jab.
Askren moves out of range as Kennedy throws a body kick.
Askren jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kennedy changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Askren swings for the body but Kennedy moves out of range.

Askren is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kennedy's half guard.
Kennedy keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kennedy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy has a hand on Askren's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Askren takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Kennedy tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kennedy sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Kennedy looking for submissions off his back.

Kennedy looking for submissions off his back.
Askren landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kennedy moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kennedy 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.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kennedy is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Askren is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Askren is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kennedy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Askren keeps working.
Askren slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kennedy wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Askren manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kennedy manages to get himself to full guard.

Askren avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Askren stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Kennedy has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Askren manages to get his head free but now Kennedy has transitioned to an armbar! Askren grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Kennedy! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Steven Kennedy!
After winning the bout, Steven Kennedy thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Yen Askren was interviewed post fight and said 'I blame Bjorn and the Egg.'.