PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mario Mahoney (ranked 4172 p4p, 2974 weight class) and Lin Xiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mahoney
vs
Xiao

175 cm
25
190
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
25
188
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mario Mahoney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Lin Xiao!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Kavanagh and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahoney tries to clinch but Xiao moves out of range.

Mahoney feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Xiao throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Mahoney stopping the sweep attempt from Xiao.
Xiao can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mahoney controls the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xiao working a defensive guard here.
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.
Xiao looking for a sweep. Not yet Xiao, not yet.
Mahoney postures up in Xiao's guard and throws a big left but Xiao blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xiao looking for a guillotine here but Mahoney defends easily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Mahoney shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Xiao's guard.
Mahoney slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mahoney prevents Xiao from getting back to his feet.
Mahoney not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney working some strikes from top position.

Mahoney decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Xiao, up you get!
Xiao circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mahoney keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mahoney tries to counter with a takedown but Xiao is quick to defend against it.
Mahoney tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Xiao manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mahoney scores with a head kick. Xiao tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Mahoney closes this distance looking for a takedown but Xiao circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Xiao! But no joy.
Mahoney tries to score a power double leg takedown but Xiao sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mahoney somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney digs a good hook to Xiao's body.

Mahoney closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Xiao quickly recovers to half guard.
Mahoney is figuring out what he wants to do next.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Xiao can do anything to dispel that myth.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mahoney connects with a nice short shot to Xiao's temple.
Xiao trying to control but Mahoney postures up.
Mahoney lands strikes from half guard.
Mahoney is thwarting Xiao's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mahoney tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Xiao.
Mahoney is looking to take a break and control but Xiao is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Xiao is looking to escape.

Mahoney decides to return to a standing position.
Xiao shoots in but Mahoney avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It looked like Mahoney wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Xiao misses with a takedown attempt - Mahoney sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mario Mahoney has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lin Xiao.

Mahoney shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Mahoney dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Xiao tries to clinch
and Mahoney counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Xiao fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Xiao displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mahoney.
Mahoney shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Xiao as he jumps to the side.

Xiao clinches up against the cage.
Mahoney being controlled against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xiao tries to work over Mahoney's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Knees to the body from Xiao.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahoney stops a takedown attempt from Xiao.
Mahoney tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Mahoney. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Xiao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mahoney fails to land the takedown.
A little jabbing left from Xiao on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Xiao shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mahoney as he jumps to the side.
Xiao throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mahoney.
Mahoney lands with an overhand left.
Xiao gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mahoney counters with a two punch combo.
Mahoney goes for a double leg but Xiao avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Xiao continues to drive forward.
Xiao unleashes a big counter combination but Mahoney bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Xiao leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Xiao breaks from the clinch.
Mahoney darts in looking for a takedown but Xiao gets double underhooks and turns Mahoney into the cage.

Xiao manages to break the clinch.
Mahoney tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Xiao shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Xiao misses with a takedown attempt - Mahoney sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Xiao clinches up with Mahoney and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Xiao is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mahoney gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Xiao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Xiao shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mahoney appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mahoney shoots in for a takedown but Xiao shows good takedown defense.
Xiao is looking to clinch but Mahoney is avoiding it.

Mahoney looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Xiao!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Xiao is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiao struggling a bit here.
Mahoney gets to mount! Xiao was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Mahoney prevents Xiao from getting the reversal.
Mahoney lands with some strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mahoney landing shots from mount.
Mario Mahoney overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mahoney wants to control the pace but Xiao is squirming around nicely.
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 Mario Mahoney will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mahoney fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Xiao avoids it really well and circles away.
Xiao tries to counter by closing the distance.
No luck for Xiao with that takedown attempt.
Mahoney bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Xiao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Xiao closes the distance and clinches up with Mahoney, looking for a takedown. Xiao pushes Mahoney against the cage but Mahoney circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mario Mahoney has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lin Xiao.
Xiao displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mahoney.
Mario Mahoney is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Xiao drives through and clinches with Mahoney against the cage.

Xiao drags the fight down to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahoney postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mahoney trying to control but Xiao is working from the bottom.
Xiao being controlled here, momentarily.
Mahoney's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Xiao wants to stand and escape but Mahoney is having none of it.
Xiao is trying to keep Mahoney in close.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Mahoney with a nice head shot there.

Mahoney stands up and waves to Xiao to follow him.
Xiao avoids the head kick by Mahoney.
Xiao is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mahoney.
Mahoney shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Xiao defends it nicely.

Xiao fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mahoney, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mahoney changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Xiao fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mahoney is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Xiao can do to turn this around?
Mahoney tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Xiao paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mahoney shoots in for a takedown but Xiao shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Xiao dives in for a single leg takedown but Mahoney sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Xiao pushes Mahoney up against the cage in a clinch.
Mahoney tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Xiao just stands there and leans against the cage.
Xiao drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mahoney pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mahoney fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Xiao avoids it really well and circles away.
Xiao has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiao shoots in and drives through. Mahoney sprawls well.

Xiao clinches.
Xiao is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mahoney is defending well.
Xiao prevents the takedown attempt.
Mahoney jumps guard but Xiao stands there with Mahoney around his waist. Mahoney gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mahoney trying to land knees to the body.

Xiao manages to break the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Xiao throws a right and a left that Mahoney avoids nicely.
Xiao shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mahoney pinned against the cage. Mahoney gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lin Xiao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mahoney 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Mahoney!