PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Wasyl Plutov (ranked 2335 p4p, 2104 weight class) and Ger McDonnell (ranked 271 p4p, 248 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.

Plutov
vs
McDonnell

178 cm
40
155
33 - 26 - 1

171 cm
24
160
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 26 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Wasyl Plutov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ger McDonnell!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonnell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Plutov.
McDonnell looks to land a right hand but Plutov moved out of range.
Plutov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McDonnell.
Wasyl Plutov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Plutov throws a lazy uppercut
and McDonnell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Plutov throws a one two combo.

It looks like Ger McDonnell has been cut.
McDonnell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Plutov moves away.
Plutov throws a head kick but McDonnell moves out of range.
Plutov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McDonnell to score with a decent uppercut.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McDonnell.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonnell connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
McDonnell avoids a punch combination nicely.
Plutov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McDonnell at a distance.
Plutov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Plutov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McDonnell was well out of range. Poor timing from Plutov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plutov throws a half hearted mid kick.
McDonnell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McDonnell uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Plutov has time to react.
Plutov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Plutov instigates a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Plutov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
McDonnell misses with a body punch.
Plutov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Plutov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McDonnells head.
McDonnell stalling the fight.
Plutov trying to stall but McDonnell improves his position.
Plutov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Plutov.
McDonnell is looking to control Plutov's arms but Plutov gets an underhook and turns him. Now McDonnell has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plutov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McDonnell in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McDonnell misses with a body punch.
McDonnell pushes Plutov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Plutov missing with knees to the body.
Plutov misses with an elbow strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Plutov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Plutov prevents a body shot from McDonnell.
McDonnell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McDonnell is pushing Plutov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Plutov looking to slow down the pace here.
Plutov missing with knees to the body.
Plutov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McDonnell is defending well for now.
Plutov wants to stall.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Plutov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Plutov taking a breather.
Plutov wants to stall.
McDonnell stalling against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Plutov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Wasyl Plutov.
McDonnell walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McDonnell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDonnell looks to score with a jab to the body but Plutov is just out of range.
McDonnell throws a right and a left that Plutov avoids nicely.
Plutov tried to counter with a leg kick but McDonnell avoided it.
Plutov thows a left - swing and a miss!
A slow jab from McDonnell misses its intended target.
A decent looking cross lands there for Plutov.
We've been told by Plutov's head coaches at Kaptajnernes Træningscenter that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Plutov throws a poor cross that misses
and McDonnell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Plutov ducks under a wild hook from McDonnell.
A cross from McDonnell lands.
Plutov with a hook.
McDonnell pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Plutov misses with the combination.
Plutov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McDonnell doesn't seem bothered though.

Plutov clinches up with McDonnell and pushes him back against the cage.

McDonnell breaks the clinch.
McDonnell defending well as Plutov loads up on a big left hand.
Plutov is looking to clinch.
McDonnell takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

McDonnell tries to keep at a distance but Plutov has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wasyl Plutov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ger McDonnell's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

McDonnell catches Plutov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Plutov throws an off balance right hand
letting McDonnell counter with a right hand.
McDonnell bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Plutov with a hook.

Plutov moves into range and clinches up with McDonnell.
Plutov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McDonnell lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Wasyl Plutov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Plutov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Plutov lands a nice elbow.
McDonnell lands a nice shot to the body.
McDonnell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Plutov lands a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Plutov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McDonnell blocks the elbow strike.
Plutov lands a right hand.
Plutov misses with some punches.
McDonnell lands a good knee to the midsection. Plutov won't want to take too many of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plutov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Plutov digs a right hand underneath McDonnell's ribcage. McDonnell let out a lung full of air as it connected.
McDonnell misses with a hook from the clinch.
McDonnell dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Plutov takes a shot to the head.
McDonnell misses with a punch on the inside.
McDonnell lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.
A right hand to the body from Plutov.
Plutov blocks a body shot from McDonnell.
McDonnell trying to land knees to the body.
Plutov throws an elbow but it misses.
Plutov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McDonnell scores with a shoulder strike.
McDonnell is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Plutov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

McDonnell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plutov wants to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McDonnell! But no joy.
McDonnell throws a hook but Plutov avoids it easily.
Plutov wants to clinch.
McDonnell takes a swing at Plutov's ribcage but misses.
Plutov is looking to clinch but McDonnell is avoiding it.
Plutov scores with a decent looking hook.
Plutov drops his hands momentarily and McDonnell takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Plutov misses with an uppercut. McDonnell saw that one coming.
McDonnell clobbers Plutov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
McDonnell dodges the punch combination from Plutov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell blocks a head kick by Plutov.
McDonnell takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Plutov lands a jab-cross combination.

That has opened up Ger McDonnell's cut even more.
Plutov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Plutov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Plutov misses with a kick to the body
and McDonnell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McDonnell avoids the head kick by Plutov.
Plutov just misses with a punch to the body.
McDonnell doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Plutov feints a jab promting McDonnell to slip. Plutov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McDonnell slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Plutov moves away from the strike by McDonnell.
McDonnell might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Plutov takes a swing at McDonnell's ribcage but misses.
Plutov tries a head kick but it misses.
A little jabbing left from McDonnell on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Plutov misses with a body shot.
It seemed like McDonnell was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Plutov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Plutov scores with a nice strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McDonnell gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McDonnell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Plutov missing with knees to the body.
McDonnell blocks the elbow strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. McDonnell obliges.
McDonnell is leaning against Plutov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nice elbow from Plutov.
Plutov tries to land a knee to the head but McDonnell blocks with his arms.
Plutov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McDonnell lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
McDonnell's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
McDonnell presses Plutov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short uppercut from McDonnell.
McDonnell lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Plutov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Wasyl Plutov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ger McDonnell's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jab by Plutov.
Plutov misses with the combination.
McDonnell wants to clinch.
Jab by Plutov.
Plutov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonnell takes a head kick and keeps coming.

McDonnell has taken the fight to the clinch.
McDonnell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plutov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
McDonnell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McDonnell is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Plutov is defending well for now.
Plutov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
McDonnell tries to land knees in the clinch but Plutov avoids the damage to the body.
Plutov throws a head punch that misses.
Plutov looking to throw knees to the head but McDonnell is blocking nicely.
McDonnell lands a left hand that snaps the head of Plutov backwards.
Plutov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McDonnell lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Plutov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Plutov connects with a knee to the head.
Plutov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McDonnell throws a punch but it's blocked by Plutov.
Plutov blocking some punches.

McDonnell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McDonnell slips a jab from Plutov.
Nice jab there from McDonnell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plutov throws a sloppy head kick and McDonnell moves out of range easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Plutov misses with a jab, cross combination.
A jab from Plutov does it's job there.
McDonnell cracks Plutov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Plutov throws a sloppy body shot
and McDonnell counters with a straight right hand.
McDonnell bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McDonnell lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Plutov throws a jab but it's blocked by McDonnell.
McDonnell is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
McDonnell lands with a hook. Plutov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Plutov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Plutov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Plutov connects with a jab.
McDonnell misses with a few strikes there.
Plutov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McDonnell now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Plutov.
McDonnell scores with a hook.
Plutov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
McDonnell throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Plutov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Plutov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but McDonnell manages to circle out of the way.
McDonnell moves forwards but Plutov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
McDonnell misses with a straight right.
Plutov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
McDonnell cracks Plutov with an open hand slap.
Wasyl Plutov is winning the standup battle so far.
Plutov throws a leg kick which misses McDonnell's front leg but catches the back leg as McDonnell tries to avoid it.
Plutov clobbers McDonnell with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Plutov throws a lazy uppercut
and McDonnell counters with a nice body shot.
McDonnell is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Plutov.
Plutov tries to bum rush McDonnell with a series of wild strikes but McDonnell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

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!
McDonnell takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Plutov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McDonnell.
Plutov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
McDonnell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Plutov.
Jab, jab by Plutov - just one landing.
Plutov looks to land a right hand but McDonnell moved out of range.
McDonnell takes a swing at Plutov's ribcage but misses.
McDonnell swats away the attempt to clinch by Plutov.
Wasyl Plutov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Plutov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McDonnell.
Plutov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on McDonnell if he has to take too many more of those.
Plutov tries a head kick but it misses.
Plutov throws a jab but it's blocked by McDonnell.
Ger McDonnell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Plutov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Wasyl Plutov.
Well Plutov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wasyl Plutov!
After the big win, Wasyl Plutov made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Altitude Clothing and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.