PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Phillip McGee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josey Wales (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.

McGee
vs
Wales

165 cm
18
141 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

170 cm
24
146 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Phillip McGee!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Josey Wales!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Glass and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGee misses with a body shot.
Wales looks to land a left hand but McGee moved out of range nicely.
McGee connects with a solid leg kick.
Wales lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Wales misses with a few strikes there.
McGee has a takedown stuffed.
McGee slips a straight right by Wales.
Wales throws a lazy right hand but McGee sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McGee closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wales circles away.
Wales throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McGee tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wales fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wales tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McGee paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McGee slips a jab from Wales.
Wales fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The fighters circling - Wales throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A nice inside leg kick there by Wales. That's going to slow McGee down.
A combination from Wales does no damage.
McGee tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Wales swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Phillip McGee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGee lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nice defenses there by McGee.
Wales misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGee looks to score with a jab to the body but Wales is just out of range.
McGee slips under a jab.
Wales swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wales misses with a jab, cross combination.
Wales looks gassed!
McGee uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wales rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McGee moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McGee ducks under a wild hook from Wales.
Wales misses with a wild combination.
McGee doesn't manage to clinch there - Wales circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wales takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wales looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McGee changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Wales swings for the body but McGee moves out of range.
Wales throws a series of punches but McGee moves out of range.
Wales throws and low kick but McGee moves out of range easily.
Wales checks the leg kick nicely there.
Wales wants to clinch up but McGee keeps it at a distance.
McGee lands with a right hand.
Wales bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wales misses with a takedown attempt - McGee sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McGee throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
McGee misses with a body shot.
McGee showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wales.
Wales takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McGee swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McGee avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McGee misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Josey Wales will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice takedown defense from McGee. No joy for Wales on that attempt.
McGee cracks Wales with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Wales throws a big shot that misses.
McGee is looking to clinch but Wales is avoiding it.
McGee misses the shot to the body.
McGee looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Wales swats away the attempt to clinch by McGee.
McGee misses with a body shot.
Wales is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McGee, right into the meat.
Wales misses with a hook. McGee ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGee throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wales throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wales throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McGee fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from McGee misses the target.
McGee ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wales moves away.
McGee tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wales was well out of range. Poor timing from McGee.
McGee swings for the body but Wales moves out of range.
McGee shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Wales as he jumps to the side.
Wales will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wales bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wales misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wales thows a body shot but no joy.
Josey Wales is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wales fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
McGee tests Wales's chin there with a solid looking shot.

McGee pushes Wales up against the cage in a clinch.
McGee can't find room to land a body shot as Wales controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGee is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
McGee tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wales just stands there and leans against the cage.
McGee tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Phillip McGee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wales tries for a takedown. No joy.

McGee manages to pull guard.
Wales throws a big right hand that misses.

McGee throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wales is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wales accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wales trying to control the position from guard on top but McGee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wales landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wales wants to control from the top but McGee keeps moving.
Wales throws a big right hand that misses.
Wales lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Wales avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McGee working a defensive guard here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wales tries to move into range but McGee moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McGee staying out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Phillip McGee will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wales fakes a jab and throws a low kick but McGee checks it well.
McGee throws a nice head kick!
McGee thows a body shot but no joy.
Wales scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Wales keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wales misses with a series of wild punches.
McGee tries to clinch but Wales moves out of range.

McGee decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McGee tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Wales.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wales can do anything to dispel that myth.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

McGee is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Wales is just riding it out for now. McGee eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wales flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
McGee is thwarting Wales's attempts to control the position.
Wales wants to improve his position but McGee is controlling well.

McGee is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wales sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Left hook, right uppercut from Wales.
Wales throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McGee's waist but McGee gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wales off to one side.
Good standup being displayed there by McGee as he connects with a hook.
Good exchange - McGee coming out on top.
Wales waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract McGee.
Wales shoots in looking for a takedown. McGee tries to sprawl out of it but Wales keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McGee manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wales walks into a straight right hand from McGee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Wales throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McGee swings for the body but Wales moves out of range.
Wales misses with a body shot

and McGee counters with a nice double leg into side control. Wales won't be happy with that.

McGee wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Wales, who protects the arm well.

McGee wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Wales, who protects the arm well.
Wales manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wales gets back to full guard.
Wales has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wales is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
McGee throwing strikes from guard but Wales blocks nicely.
McGee looking to sit in guard and control but Wales gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Wales postures up and lands a big shot to McGee's brow.
Wales working some strikes from top position.
Wales won't allow McGee to get back to his feet.

McGee looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McGee has momentary wrist control but Wales slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Phillip McGee did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wales fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McGee looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wales throws a head kick but McGee moves out of range.
McGee swings away with a body shot that misses
and Wales counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wales avoids the body shot from McGee.
McGee is looking to wear down Wales with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Wales throws a jab when McGee was well out of range.
Josey Wales seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice straight punches there by Wales. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Wales.
McGee digs a good body shot into Wales's ribs.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
McGee uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wales.
McGee lands a with a good body shot.
McGee throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGee shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
McGee looking to control and managing it successfully.
Wales really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
McGee punishing his opponent with strikes.
Wales throwing hammer fists to the chest of McGee. What's that going to do exactly?

McGee swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Wales is now in McGee's guard. A big mistake from McGee there, giving up the dominant position!
Wales controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Wales forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wales has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Wales landing strikes from the mount and McGee is in trouble!
Wales is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. McGee can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Wales throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Wales throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Wales throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for McGee because Wales loaded up on that one.

Wales has hold of McGee's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and McGee manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
McGee sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wales seems to be working for a kimura but McGee defends the submission attempt.
McGee avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wales.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wales throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wales is keen to just control but McGee is a slippery customer.

McGee actively working from the bottom here.
Wales uses his free foot to push down on McGee's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for McGee.
Wales scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish McGee?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Wales raining down shots from the mount!
Wales connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
McGee manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
McGee trying to control but Wales postures up.
Wales passes into side control, despite McGee's attempt to control the position.
McGee is trying to buck Wales off.
McGee is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Wales is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josey Wales dominated that fourth 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Wales scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Wales keeps the fight on the outside.
McGee finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
McGee throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Wales misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wales misses the jab.
McGee tries to clinch
and Wales counters with a stiff right hand.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Wales uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McGee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Wales, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McGee misses with a body shot.
McGee moves out of range as Wales strikes.
McGee swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wales throws a series of strikes that have McGee backpedaling.
Wales throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A nice leg kick lands there from McGee.
A good leg kick by McGee.
McGee lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGee just misses with a punch to the body.

Wales has closed the distance and engaged McGee in a clinch.
McGee is looking to control Wales's arms but Wales gets an underhook and turns him. Now McGee has his back to the cage.
Wales leaning his opponent against the cage.
McGee controlling the action here for a moment.
Wales presses McGee against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Wales works on McGee's body with a couple of short punches.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wales throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McGee counters with a solid body kick.
McGee lands a nice looking body kick.
McGee tries to clinch up but Wales circles away and keeps his distance.
McGee gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Wales to counter with a crisp jab.
Wales moves away from the strike by McGee.
A big right from McGee misses.
Wales wants to slow McGee down by chopping away at his legs.
Wales swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McGee counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wales misses with a low kick.
McGee lands a jab to Wales's midsection.
McGee shoots for a double leg takedown but Wales sprawls well. He's pushed McGee's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McGee lands a nice leg kick that just misses Wales's sensitive parts.
Wales keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McGee steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wales.
McGee is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A combination from Wales does no damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josey Wales comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Wales 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 47:49
Judge James Glass scores the fight 47:49
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Josey Wales!
Josey Wales is the new bantamweight champion!