PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Haislan Garcia (ranked 732 p4p, 90 weight class) and Eksem Von Ketler (ranked 1449 p4p, 161 weight class). Von Ketler has chosen Bonecracker- Shocore as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Garcia
vs
Von Ketler

175 cm
30
155 lbs
18 - 7 - 1

166 cm
33
153 lbs
25 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Haislan Garcia!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eksem Von Ketler!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paul Aken and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Von Ketler closes the distance and clinches.
Garcia gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler jumps guard but Garcia stands there with Von Ketler around his waist. Von Ketler gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Von Ketler misses with some punches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Garcia misses with a body punch.
Von Ketler cracks Garcia with a nice body shot.
Von Ketler lands a body punch in the clinch.
Von Ketler creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Garcia's defenses.
A hook to the body from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Garcia just stands there and leans against the cage.
Haislan Garcia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eksem Von Ketler.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Ketler is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Garcia dodges an elbow strike from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler lands with a right to the head.

Garcia breaks the clinch.
Jab, jab by Garcia - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Von Ketler scores with a shot to the body.
Von Ketler takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Von Ketler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Garcia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Von Ketler tries to clinch but Garcia moves out of range.
No joy there for Garcia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Garcia thows a leg kick but Von Ketler checks it

and Von Ketler counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Von Ketler.
Von Ketler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Garcia trying to control the position here.
Von Ketler wants to control from the top but Garcia keeps moving.
Von Ketler won't allow Garcia to sweep him here.
Von Ketler slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler won't allow Garcia to sweep him here.
Garcia trying to control the position.
Garcia is adopting a defensive guard.
Garcia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Garcia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Garcia is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Runts Academy that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Garcia is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Von Ketler stopping the sweep attempt from Garcia.
Von Ketler looking to pass the guard.
Von Ketler has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Garcia wants to stand but Von Ketler is controlling the position.
Von Ketler trying to control the position from guard on top but Garcia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Von Ketler moves away.

Von Ketler gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Von Ketler lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Garcia gets through Von Ketler's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Garcia stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Garcia stops a takedown attempt from Von Ketler.
Garcia avoids the elbow strike from Von Ketler, against the cage.
Garcia fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Von Ketler.
Von Ketler can't get the takedown.

Von Ketler turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Von Ketler cracks Garcia with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Von Ketler wants to control but Garcia is keeping him busy.
Garcia gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Garcia is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Von Ketler pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garcia slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Von Ketler preventing the sweep.

Garcia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Von Ketler is working Garcia over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Von Ketler with a flurry of punches that miss.
Von Ketler keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Garcia's head.
Von Ketler stands up over Garcia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Von Ketler is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcia has wrist control.
Von Ketler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Garcia works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Von Ketler working his ground and pound in the gym.
Von Ketler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Garcia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Von Ketler throws a big right hand that misses.
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 takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Von Ketler misses with a hook.
Garcia scores with a shot to the body.
Garcia moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Garcia lunges at Von Ketler with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Von Ketler's hand.
Garcia scores with the left hand. Von Ketler knows he should have avoided that one.
Garcia looks to throw the jab but Von Ketler is out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Garcia.
Garcia throws a chopping leg kick but Von Ketler manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Garcia is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Garcia scores with a nice right hand.
Garcia leaves Von Ketler with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Garcia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia stuns Von Ketler with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A slow jab from Garcia misses its intended target.
Garcia circles away from the clinch attempt.
Garcia tried to score with a low kick but Von Ketler checks it.
Garcia leaves Von Ketler with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Garcia is looking to counter punch.
Garcia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Von Ketler gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Garcia counters with an inside leg kick.
Haislan Garcia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eksem Von Ketler.
Garcia throws a hook but Von Ketler avoids it easily.
Von Ketler slips under a jab from Garcia.
Von Ketler wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia misses the jab.
Von Ketler wants to clinch up but Garcia keeps it at a distance.
As Von Ketler backs away, Garcia returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A big left from Garcia misses.
Haislan Garcia is winning the standup battle so far.
Garcia throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Von Ketler tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Garcia manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Haislan Garcia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Von Ketler looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Garcia throws the left hand but Von Ketler avoids the punch easily.
Garcia looks to land a right hand but Von Ketler moved out of range.
Von Ketler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Garcia is fending him off so far but Von Ketler persists. Nope, Garcia circles away and we're back to standing.
Garcia looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Garcia throws a lazy right hand but Von Ketler sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Von Ketler wants to counter the offense by Garcia and move into the clinch position.
Garcia scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Garcia takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler fails with a takedown attempt.
Garcia looks to throw the jab but Von Ketler is out of range.
Von Ketler stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Garcia.
Von Ketler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Garcia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garcia throws a leg kick that is checked

and Von Ketler moves into the clinch.
Garcia throws an elbow but it misses.
Von Ketler throws an elbow but it misses.
Garcia softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Von Ketler.

It looks like Haislan Garcia has been cut.
Von Ketler goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Garcia tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Von Ketler misses with a body punch.

Von Ketler manages to break the clinch.
Von Ketler checks a leg kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia looks to score with a jab to the body but Von Ketler is just out of range.

Von Ketler shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Garcia has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Von Ketler has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Von Ketler is looking for a takedown.
Von Ketler can't find room to land a body shot as Garcia controls the action.
Garcia with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Von Ketler is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Garcia is keeping busy.
Von Ketler throws an elbow that misses.
Von Ketler tries to throw a body punch but Garcia avoids it by throwing Von Ketler back against the cage.
Garcia blocks an elbow strike from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler is working for takedown but Garcia is calmly controlling the position for now.
A right handed body shot lands from Garcia.
Garcia working aggressively here.
Garcia prevents a takedown attempt there.
Von Ketler has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Garcia after a bit of a struggle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haislan Garcia dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Haislan Garcia'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.

Garcia misses with a low kick.
Garcia throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Von Ketler moves out of range as Garcia strikes.
Garcia swats away the attempt to clinch by Von Ketler.
Von Ketler getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Von Ketler uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Garcia.
Von Ketler uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Garcia.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Ketler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Garcia.
Von Ketler tries to close the distance and clinch but Garcia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Von Ketler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Garcia pinned against the cage. Garcia gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Garcia. That snapped Von Ketler's head back.
Von Ketler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Von Ketler throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Garcia displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Von Ketler.
Garcia throws a body shot but no joy.
Garcia connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Von Ketler misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Garcia creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Garcia avoids the elbow strike from Von Ketler, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Von Ketler.
Von Ketler lands a damaging elbow.
Von Ketler can't find room to land a body shot as Garcia controls the action.
Garcia misses with some punches.
Eksem Von Ketler seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Von Ketler jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Garcia walks away with a smile on his face. Von Ketler gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Haislan Garcia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eksem Von Ketler.
Von Ketler shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Garcia works the jab nicely.
Garcia throws a quick inside leg kick.
Garcia swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Garcia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Von Ketler.
Von Ketler let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A slow jab from Garcia misses its intended target.
Garcia just misses with a punch to the body.
Garcia connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Garcia does no damage.
Von Ketler wants to counter the offense by Garcia and move into the clinch position.
Von Ketler moves out of range as Garcia strikes.
Garcia displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Von Ketler.
Garcia appears to be looking for a big counter.
Donk. Von Ketler catches Garcia right on the button with a cross.
Von Ketler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Von Ketler tries to clinch but Garcia moves away
and Garcia counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jab by Garcia.
Von Ketler throws a shot from downtown. Garcia moves away and avoids it.
Garcia tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Von Ketler was well out of range. Poor timing from Garcia.
Garcia looks to score with a jab to the body but Von Ketler is just out of range.

Von Ketler has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Garcia creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Garcia lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Garcia lands a body shot in the clinch.
Garcia is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Von Ketler can do to turn this around?
Garcia throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Garcia working aggressively here.
A short right from Garcia on the inside.
Garcia dodges an elbow strike from Von Ketler.
Von Ketler misses with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Garcia.
Garcia has a couple of punches blocked by Von Ketler.
Von Ketler lands a left hand that snaps the head of Garcia backwards.
Von Ketler's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Garcia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Garcia lands a nice shot to the body.
Garcia pushes Von Ketler back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Von Ketler tries to pull guard but Garcia holds him up against the cage and eventually Von Ketler drops back down to his feet.
Garcia lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haislan Garcia clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Haislan Garcia'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.

Garcia throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Von Ketler appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Von Ketler shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Garcia as he avoids it easily.
Garcia misses with an uppercut.
Von Ketler's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Garcia connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Von Ketler scrambles back to his feet.
Garcia swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Garcia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Von Ketler tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
That kick from Garcia tenderised Von Ketler's leg. Von Ketler is trying to keep his angry face on.
Garcia throws a big shot that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Von Ketler! But no joy.
Nice straight punches there by Garcia. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Garcia.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcia tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Von Ketler was well out of range. Poor timing from Garcia.
Garcia uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Von Ketler.
Von Ketler looks to land a left hand but Garcia moved out of range nicely.
Von Ketler avoids the body shot from Garcia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia throws a jab but it's blocked by Von Ketler.
Von Ketler wants to clinch.
Garcia feints and then cracks Von Ketler's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Von Ketler down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Garcia. Von Ketler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Von Ketler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Garcia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garcia is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Von Ketler.
Garcia sets himself, and Von Ketler steps forward looking for the clinch! Garcia avoids it this time.
Garcia throws a body shot but no joy.
Haislan Garcia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Von Ketler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Garcia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garcia scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler throws a good cross that connects.
A swing and a miss from Garcia.
Garcia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Von Ketler.
Von Ketler changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Von Ketler changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Garcia looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Von Ketler tries for a kimura but Garcia is defending well.
Garcia defending against the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Von Ketler tries to score with some ground and pound. Garcia controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Garcia takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Von Ketler throws a strike aimed at the side of Garcia's head but Garcia avoids it well.
Von Ketler working the ground and pound but Garcia is defending the strikes.
Garcia is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Von Ketler.

Von Ketler goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Garcia rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Von Ketler's guard! Nice work there by Garcia!
Garcia has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Garcia is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Eksem Von Ketler has got the better of the ground game so far.

Von Ketler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Garcia gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Von Ketler is on top in guard.

Garcia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Von Ketler is one step ahead there.
Garcia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Von Ketler being controlled here momentarily.
Garcia being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haislan Garcia had his way with Eksem Von Ketler in that round.
The cut man is working on Haislan Garcia's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Garcia misses with a body shot
and Von Ketler counters with a stiff right hand.
Von Ketler tries to close the distance and clinch but Garcia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Von Ketler moves out of range of the strikes.
Von Ketler gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Von Ketler slips under a jab.
Von Ketler is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Garcia fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Garcia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Von Ketler is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Von Ketler gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Garcia.
Von Ketler keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Garcia.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Ketler checks a low kick from Garcia.
Garcia turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Garcia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Von Ketler.
Garcia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Von Ketler's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler takes one on the button.
Von Ketler doesn't manage to clinch there - Garcia circles away.
Garcia thuds a left hand into Von Ketler's body.
Garcia looks to land a right hand but Von Ketler moved out of range.
Garcia misses the jab.
Von Ketler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Garcia circles away.
Von Ketler wants to clinch up but Garcia keeps it at a distance.
Garcia moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Garcia connects with a crisp jab.

Von Ketler drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Garcia sneaks out the side door and pushes Von Ketler away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 throws a poor cross that misses
and Von Ketler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Von Ketler has a takedown stuffed.
Garcia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Garcia lands a head kick. Von Ketler smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Garcia.

Von Ketler scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Garcia controlling the position for now.
Von Ketler trying to mount his opponent but Garcia defends it.
Von Ketler is thwarting Garcia's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler is stalling here. Garcia is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Von Ketler seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Garcia has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Von Ketler is trying to improve his position.
Von Ketler manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Haislan Garcia is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Von Ketler is looking for a kimura here.
Garcia is looking to improve his position.
Garcia keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Von Ketler wants to control but Garcia is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia is trying to maintain the position but Von Ketler is very close to passing his half guard.
Garcia gets full guard.
Eksem Von Ketler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Garcia tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Von Ketler landing some decent shots from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Von Ketler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Garcia looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Von Ketler throws a big right hand that misses.
Von Ketler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Garcia tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Von Ketler throwing strikes but missing.
Von Ketler working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Garcia's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haislan Garcia showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Garcia 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 49:46
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 49:46
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haislan Garcia!
Haislan Garcia retains his featherweight title!
Haislan Garcia was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
Eksem Von Ketler spoke after the fight, saying 'Didn't hurt'.