PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cormac McCarthy (ranked 20 p4p, 90 weight class) and Tagnarach Kamara (ranked 2 p4p, 13 weight class). Kamara is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: BLIND SPOTS. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

McCarthy
vs
Kamara

183 cm
28
175
20 - 6 - 0

180 cm
27
177
22 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Black Lab Clothing
NARCOS

Conviction
© Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cormac McCarthy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tagnarach Kamara!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCarthy takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kamara looks to throw the jab but McCarthy is out of range.
Kamara smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McCarthy misses with a left hand
and Kamara counters with a straight right hand.
Kamara swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McCarthy.
Kamara with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kamara scores with a kick to the midsection.
McCarthy slips under a jab from Kamara.
Kamara bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McCarthy's head.
Kamara throws out a loose jab but McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid it.
It looked like McCarthy was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kamara.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kamara.
Kamara jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kamara throws a body punch but McCarthy moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good shot there by Kamara.
Kamara digs a good hook to McCarthy's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kamara manages to avoid it.
Kamara throws a big shot that misses.
It looked like McCarthy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kamara tries to clinch there but McCarthy circles away.
McCarthy avoids the body shot from Kamara.
Kamara scores with a decent looking hook.
Kamara misses with an uppercut
and McCarthy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McCarthy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kamara moves away.
Kamara throws out a counter right but McCarthy avoids it with no problem.
McCarthy slips a jab from Kamara.
McCarthy misses with a lunging right hand
and Kamara counters with a nice uppercut.
McCarthy lands with a shot to the body.
Kamara pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kamara throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McCarthy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tagnarach Kamara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kamara scores with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from McCarthy misses
enabling Kamara to counter with a crisp jab.
McCarthy takes a swing at Kamara's ribcage but misses.
Kamara follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCarthy has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from McCarthy there as he acknowledges the shot.
McCarthy on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
McCarthy misses the shot to the body.
A little jabbing left from Kamara on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
McCarthy throws the left hand but Kamara avoids the punch easily.
Kamara appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
McCarthy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kamara.
Kamara swings for the body but McCarthy moves out of range.
Kamara connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kamara is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! McCarthy had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kamara.
Kamara jabs McCarthy to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tagnarach Kamara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kamara throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McCarthy.
McCarthy attempts a counter takedown but Kamara avoids it well and moves away.
Kamara misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamara bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McCarthy's head backwards.
McCarthy walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kamara.
Kamara lands with a right hand.
McCarthy is looking to wear down Kamara with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kamara scores with a punch to the head.
McCarthy moves out of range of the strikes.
Kamara throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McCarthy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like McCarthy was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kamara.
McCarthy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kamara.
McCarthy throwing a counter right hand but Kamara manages to avoid it.
McCarthy with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kamara connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A punch lands to the side of McCarthy 's head but he takes it in his stride.
McCarthy throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kamara is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCarthy.
McCarthy is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kamara cracks McCarthy with a good jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy throws an off balance right hand
and Kamara counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kamara throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
McCarthy looks to score with a jab to the body but Kamara is just out of range.
McCarthy takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McCarthy goes for a double leg but Kamara avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kamara continues to drive forward.
McCarthy is trying to break free.
McCarthy's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kamara lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kamara misses with some punches.
Kamara is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McCarthy is defending well for now.
Kamara misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McCarthy.

McCarthy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kamara lands a nice shot that snaps McCarthy's head back.
McCarthy swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kamara counters with a left to the body.
McCarthy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kamara.
McCarthy shoots in looking for a takedown but Kamara manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McCarthy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tagnarach Kamara dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kamara looks to land a left hand but McCarthy moved out of range nicely.
McCarthy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice cross by Kamara.
Kamara lands with a shot to the body.
Kamara looks to score with a jab to the body but McCarthy is just out of range.
McCarthy is looking to counter punch.
McCarthy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A counter left hand to the body from McCarthy misses its target.
Kamara has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kamara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kamara with a nice cross.
A slow jab from Kamara misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy loads up on a big right hand but Kamara slips the punch.
McCarthy looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McCarthy slips a straight right by Kamara.
McCarthy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCarthy walks into a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kamara displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McCarthy.
Kamara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut there from Kamara.
Kamara fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McCarthy dives in for a single leg takedown but Kamara sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
McCarthy misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kamara.
Kamara swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McCarthy looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
McCarthy avoiding damage as Kamara throws knees to the body.
Kamara is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McCarthy is defending well for now.
McCarthy on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kamara is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McCarthy is defending well for now.

McCarthy breaks the clinch.
McCarthy takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McCarthy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kamara.
It looked like McCarthy was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kamara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Kamara both land. Nice combination.
Kamara takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCarthy looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tagnarach Kamara seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kamara fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McCarthy on the side of the head.
Kamara misses with a jab, cross combination.
McCarthy tries to counter with a takedown but Kamara is quick to defend against it.
Kamara misses with a two punch combination.
Kamara moves away from the strike by McCarthy.
Kamara lands a slapping body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Kamara.
Kamara lands with a nice body punch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kamara.
Kamara has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Kamara throws a hook but McCarthy avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamara takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
McCarthy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kamara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCarthy moves away.
McCarthy throws a lazy uppercut
and Kamara counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kamara throws a lazy uppercut

and McCarthy counters with a shoot takedown. Kamara fights it but they end up in guard.
Kamara has his hands on McCarthy's head, controlling the position.
Kamara controls McCarthy momentarily but McCarthy frees himself.
McCarthy lands a couple of digs.
McCarthy lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is stalling in the full guard.
McCarthy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kamara keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully.
McCarthy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
McCarthy trying to control but Kamara is working from the bottom.
Kamara looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tagnarach Kamara showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kamara throws a lazy uppercut
and McCarthy counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kamara pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McCarthy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kamara throws out the jab.
McCarthy swings for the body but Kamara moves out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Kamara as he connects with a hook.
McCarthy shoots in for a double leg but Kamara sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McCarthy takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
McCarthy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kamara was well out of range. Poor timing from McCarthy.
Kamara comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kamara staying out of range there.
McCarthy slips a straight right by Kamara.
Kamara pushes McCarthy away with a front kick.
Kamara looks to land a body kick but McCarthy moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McCarthy.
Kamara doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Decent striking displayed by Kamara there.
McCarthy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kamara scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kamara misses with a left hand
and McCarthy counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kamara misses with a series of wild punches.
Good exchange - Kamara coming out on top.
McCarthy ducks right into an uppercut from Kamara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kamara just misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kamara swivels and escapes.
Kamara now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cormac McCarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McCarthy shoots in for a double leg but Kamara sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kamara! But no joy.
McCarthy defending well as Kamara loads up on a big left hand.
Kamara throws a hook but McCarthy avoids it easily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kamara. McCarthy shrugs it off though.
McCarthy is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kamara ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kamara misses with a wild body shot.
Kamara listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McCarthy lands with a straight right. Kamara didn't see that one coming.

It looks like Tagnarach Kamara has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamara fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McCarthy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kamara takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kamara lands a right hook to the body.
Kamara pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kamara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kamara connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McCarthy loads up on a big right hand but Kamara slips the punch.
Kamara scores with a jab.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kamara.
McCarthy fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
McCarthy walks into a straight right hand from Kamara.
Kamara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCarthy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kamara.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kamara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCarthy manages to avoid it.
A jab from Kamara finds it's way through McCarthy's defenses.
Kamara slips under a jab from McCarthy.
Kamara swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kamara, as that shot connected.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tagnarach Kamara really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tagnarach Kamara's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kamara jabs McCarthy right on the nose. McCarthy blinks but takes it well.
McCarthy avoids the body shot from Kamara.
A telegraphed right hand from Kamara misses the target.
McCarthy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kamara.
McCarthy takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kamara rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McCarthy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kamara connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Good shot there by Kamara.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy with a jab.
McCarthy takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kamara connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kamara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kamara scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kamara comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

McCarthy closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kamara to the mat! Kamara manages to get full guard.
McCarthy has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
McCarthy slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kamara really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McCarthy. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McCarthy throwing strikes from guard but Kamara blocks nicely.
McCarthy is looking to work some ground and pound but Kamara has wrist control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kamara can do anything to dispel that myth.
McCarthy stands up over Kamara, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McCarthy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McCarthy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kamara keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully.
McCarthy looking to pass the guard.
Kamara has McCarthy pulled in close to control his posture.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
McCarthy works a leg free and moves into half guard.
McCarthy with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kamara avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McCarthy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is keen to just control but Kamara is a slippery customer.
McCarthy is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kamara!
Kamara tries to hold on but McCarthy pushes him away.
McCarthy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
McCarthy throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
McCarthy misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Kamara in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
McCarthy lands a nice shot to the head.
McCarthy looking to control but Kamara is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kamara is in a horrible position here. McCarthy smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kamara is desperately trying to improve his position but McCarthy has a good base and remains in mount.
McCarthy scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Kamara is bucking up trying to escape but McCarthy cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
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!
McCarthy is landing with some decent strikes but Kamara is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
McCarthy raining down hammerfists from mount.
Cormac McCarthy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McCarthy is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kamara can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
McCarthy postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kamara looks a forlorn figure.
McCarthy looking to finish Kamara with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kamara!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy had his way with Tagnarach Kamara in that round.
The cut man is working on Tagnarach Kamara's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McCarthy fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
McCarthy just misses with a punch to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Kamara misses.
Kamara moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
McCarthy will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kamara digs a good hook to McCarthy's body.
Kamara works the jab nicely.
McCarthy slips under a jab from Kamara.
Kamara misses with a straight left.
McCarthy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kamara walks into a left hand.

McCarthy bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCarthy lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kamara down.
McCarthy in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kamara avoids any damage from the ground and pound of McCarthy.
Kamara avoids any damage from the ground and pound of McCarthy.
McCarthy misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Kamara is trying to get back to half guard.
Kamara is still trying to improve position.
McCarthy working the body and head with strikes.
Cormac McCarthy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kamara takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
McCarthy sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Kamara is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
McCarthy working the ground and pound from side control.
Kamara can't do much from the bottom here.
McCarthy in side control, throwing shots but Kamara defends.
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McCarthy working the ground and pound but Kamara is defending the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamara takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Kamara tries to control but McCarthy manages to take his back.
McCarthy is punishing Kamara with strikes - can he finish him?!
Will McCarthy go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
McCarthy throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Kamara trying to control the hands but McCarthy breaks the grip.
McCarthy throwing sloppy strikes.
McCarthy loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Kamara hold on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy lands with a hammerfist to the side of Kamara's head.
McCarthy is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Kamara up.
McCarthy missing with punches from the back.
Kamara covering up well under a barage of strikes.
McCarthy missing with strikes.
McCarthy scores with punches and elbows.
Kamara covering up well under a series of strikes from McCarthy.
Kamara is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get McCarthy off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McCarthy looking for the RNC.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cormac McCarthy showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kamara 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tagnarach Kamara!
Tagnarach Kamara is the new welterweight champion!
An out of breath Tagnarach Kamara thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Cormac McCarthy stepped up to the mic, saying '“There is no God and we are his prophets.” ― Cormac McCarthy, The Road'.