PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Bessant (ranked 1719 p4p, 2071 weight class) and Aonghus Mormaer (ranked 226 p4p, 273 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bessant
vs
Mormaer

180 cm
35
214
18 - 13 - 0

190 cm
26
204
7 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Bessant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Aonghus Mormaer!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Joseph Jones and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mormaer throws the left hand but Bessant avoids the punch easily.
Bessant moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Aonghus Mormaer has been cut.
A punch lands to the side of Bessant 's head but he takes it in his stride.

It looks like John Bessant has been cut.
Mormaer connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bessant. Bessant circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bessant walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Mormaer throws a front kick aimed at Bessant's knee but Bessant avoids it well.
Mormaer throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bessant on the side of the head.
Mormaer throws a sloppy body shot
and Bessant counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bessant cracks Mormaer with an open hand slap.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mormaer throws a right and a left that both miss.

Mormaer closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessant managing to block the knees to the body from Mormaer.
Bessant looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Mormaer missing with knees to the body.
Bessant wants to break free but Mormaer has control.
Mormaer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bessant gets through Mormaer's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Bessant's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mormaer is stalling here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bessant tries to throw a body punch but Mormaer avoids it by throwing Bessant back against the cage.
Bessant lands a left hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bessant.
Mormaer misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bessant.
Mormaer dodges an elbow strike from Bessant.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Mormaer takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Mormaer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mormaer unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bessant lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Bessant scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mormaer is trying to pull guard but Bessant has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bessant.
Mormaer misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bessant avoiding damage as Mormaer throws knees to the body.
Bessant trying to control the position but instead, Mormaer has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bessant into the cage.
Bessant blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bessant is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mormaer is keeping busy.
Bessant pushes off an throws an elbow but Mormaer leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bessant pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bessant takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Aonghus Mormaer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mormaer lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A cross from Mormaer lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mormaer clinches up with Bessant and pushes him back against the cage.
Mormaer tries to land knees in the clinch but Bessant avoids the damage to the body.
Mormaer has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Bessant seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Mormaer can turn it around.
Mormaer tries to land a knee to the head but Bessant blocks with his arms.
Bessant wants to stall.
Mormaer jumps guard but Bessant stands there with Mormaer around his waist. Mormaer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mormaer has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Mormaer tries to throw a body punch but Bessant avoids it by throwing Mormaer back against the cage.
Mormaer is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mormaer lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mormaer pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mormaer working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bessant is struggling to control the position.
Bessant avoiding damage as Mormaer throws knees to the body.
Mormaer throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bessant blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mormaer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mormaer working Bessant over with knees to the body.
Bessant is breathing heavily.
Mormaer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bessant is defending well for now.
Mormaer trying to land knees to the body.
Mormaer has a couple of punches blocked by Bessant.
Mormaer blocks a body shot from Bessant.
Bessant tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mormaer's elbow.
Bessant misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mormaer jumps guard but Bessant turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
John Bessant has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aonghus Mormaer.
A knee to the head by Mormaer.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mormaer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bessant is defending well for now.
Mormaer lands with a left to the head.
Mormaer lands a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mormaer.

Mormaer pulls guard effortlessly.
Mormaer is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mormaer prevents Bessant from improving his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aonghus Mormaer dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bessant staying out of range there.
Bessant was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bessant bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mormaer moves away from the strike by Bessant.
Bessant checks a low kick from Mormaer.
A quick step to the side and Bessant tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Mormaer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mormaer lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Mormaer stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mormaer lands a good knee to the midsection. Bessant won't want to take too many of those.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mormaer unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Mormaer will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bessant up against the cage.
Mormaer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bessant is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mormaer obliges.
Mormaer scores with a shot to the side of Bessant's head.
Mormaer working Bessant over with knees to the body.
Mormaer is leaning against Bessant and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short uppercut from Mormaer.
A right handed body shot lands from Mormaer.
Bessant managing to block the knees to the body from Mormaer.
Bessant on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mormaer controlling the action here for a moment.
Bessant is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Mormaer landing knees to the body.
Bessant misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mormaer lands a shot to the body.
Aonghus Mormaer seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mormaer.
Bessant blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Mormaer.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mormaer jumps guard.
Mormaer looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Mormaer is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mormaer is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bessant tries to get to full guard but Mormaer has control of the leg.
Mormaer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bessant's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mormaer is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bessant is trying to control but can't.
Bessant is controlling Mormaer's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Mormaer wants to control but Bessant is keeping him busy.
Bessant is looking for a sweep. Mormaer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mormaer uses his free foot to push down on Bessant's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Bessant.

Mormaer with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mormaer looking to control and managing it successfully.

Mormaer is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Bessant to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Bessant shrugs it off.
Mormaer sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Bessant stops Mormaer from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aonghus Mormaer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Mormaer connects with a body shot that sends Bessant's belly button to the back.
Bessant slips a straight right by Mormaer.
Bessant takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mormaer loads up on a big right hand but Bessant slips the punch.
An attempted straight right counter from Bessant misses the target.
Mormaer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mormaer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mormaer scores with a nice strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bessant throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Bessant uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mormaer.
Bessant tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Mormaer manages to circle out of the way.
Mormaer throws a leg kick but Bessant sees it coming and checks it nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Bessant misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Mormaer.
Mormaer misses with a body shot.
Bessant takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mormaer lands a nice looking body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bessant misses with a body shot.
Bessant checks a low kick from Mormaer.
Bessant is looking to counter with a body kick.
Mormaer misses with a low kick.
Mormaer connects with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Bessant, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mormaer throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bessant stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Mormaer clinches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bessant just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mormaer's brow.
Mormaer is struggling to control the position.
Mormaer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bessant lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mormaer backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mormaer lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mormaer pushes Bessant back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bessant goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mormaer.
A right handed body shot lands from Mormaer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mormaer prevents a body shot from Bessant.
Bessant avoiding damage as Mormaer throws knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Mormaer.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bessant.
Bessant blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mormaer tries to pull guard but Bessant won't allow it.
Mormaer tries to land knees in the clinch but Bessant avoids the damage to the body.
Bessant looking to stall.
Mormaer controlling the action here for a moment.
Mormaer stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are getting on Mormaer's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Bessant blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bessant tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mormaer's elbow.
Mormaer tries to land knees in the clinch but Bessant avoids the damage to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mormaer looking to stall.
A short right from Mormaer on the inside.
Bessant doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bessant creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bessant scores with a shot to the side of Mormaer's head.
Mormaer with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mormaer trying to land knees to the body.
Mormaer looking to slow down the pace here.
Aonghus Mormaer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mormaer keeps control of Bessant as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bessant pushes off an throws an elbow but Mormaer leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Mormaer tries to pull guard but Bessant forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Bessant misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aonghus Mormaer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mormaer has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 26:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 26:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aonghus Mormaer!
Aonghus Mormaer decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.