PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James McSweeney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsu Ko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ko has chosen National Anthem as his entrance music. James McSweeney could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Katsu Ko's chin.

McSweeney
vs
Ko

177 cm
23
146 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

174 cm
22
148 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, James McSweeney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Katsu Ko!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ko tries a low kick but McSweeney avoids it.

Ko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McSweeney has Ko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Ko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ko prevents McSweeney from breaking the clinch.
Ko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McSweeney misses with a hook from the clinch.
McSweeney lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ko backwards.
Ko takes an elbow to the forehead.
McSweeney tries to score a body lock takedown but Ko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
McSweeney prevents Ko from breaking the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Ko fails to land.
McSweeney connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Katsu Ko has been cut.
A right hook to the body lands for Ko.
McSweeney scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McSweeney keeps control of Ko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ko tries to land knees in the clinch but McSweeney avoids the damage to the body.
Ko blocks an elbow strike.

McSweeney breaks the clinch.
Ko keeps the fight on the outside.
Ko wants to clinch

and McSweeney counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McSweeney manages to break the clinch.
No joy there for Ko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McSweeney avoids the head kick by Ko.
Ko throws a body kick the misses
and McSweeney counters with a straight right hand.
McSweeney fails with an attempt to clinch.

Ko rushes McSweeney and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McSweeney working Ko over with knees to the body.
McSweeney blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ko throws a punch but it's blocked by McSweeney.
Ko keeps control of McSweeney as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McSweeney using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McSweeney scores with a shot to the side of Ko's head.
McSweeney throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ko blocks it with crossed arms.
McSweeney lands an uppercut.
Ko has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Ko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Katsu Ko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McSweeney closes the distance looking to clinch

and Ko counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McSweeney lands an elbow inside that Ko shrugs off.
Ko is looking to break free of the clinch but McSweeney has double underhooks.
Ko blocks a body shot from McSweeney.

Ko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McSweeney throws a right hand that Ko ducks under and follows up with a left that Ko also avoids with ease.
McSweeney tries to clinch up
and Ko counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ko moves in looking to clinch but McSweeney pushes him off.
McSweeney throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ko throws an overhand right that lands on McSweeney's shoulder, as McSweeney tries to avoid the shot.
McSweeney tries to clinch up but Ko circles away and keeps his distance.
McSweeney moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
McSweeney tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Ko counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko lands an uppercut.
Ko misses with some punches.
McSweeney using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ko wants to get back to striking at distance but McSweeney won't allow it.
McSweeney softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McSweeney doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ko looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McSweeney lands a nice elbow.
McSweeney lands a left hand.

McSweeney's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McSweeney tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Ko counters by moving into the clinch.
Ko wants to break free but McSweeney has control.
McSweeney creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
McSweeney lands a hook that snaps the head of Ko backwards.
McSweeney is breathing heavily.
McSweeney scores with a knee to the head.
McSweeney blocking some punches.
McSweeney with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McSweeney goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McSweeney working aggressively here.
Ko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Ko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Ko fails to land.

Ko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ko moves into range and clinches up with McSweeney.
McSweeney prevents Ko from breaking the clinch.
Ko misses with some punches.

Ko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ko tries to land a body kick

and McSweeney counters by clinching up.
Nice elbow from Ko.
Ko looking to throw knees to the head but McSweeney is blocking nicely.
Ko misses with the head strike.
McSweeney throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ko blocks it with crossed arms.
Ko tries to break the clinch but McSweeney is controlling the position.
McSweeney blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Ko breaks the clinch.

Ko clinches up against the cage.
McSweeney tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McSweeney lands an elbow inside.
Ko lands a nice uppercut.
McSweeney using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Ko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Katsu Ko's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McSweeney avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ko moves in looking to clinch but McSweeney pushes him off.
McSweeney throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McSweeney.
Ko doesn't manage to clinch there - McSweeney circles away.
McSweeney lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ko at a distance.
James McSweeney is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ko closes the distance looking to clinch
and McSweeney counters with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ko's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Ko duly obliges.
McSweeney swats away the attempt to clinch by Ko.
Ko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ko.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McSweeney clinches but Ko breaks the clinch

and Ko counters by moving into the clinch.
McSweeney comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ko has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McSweeney misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ko.
McSweeney misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ko.
McSweeney using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A head punch on the inside from Ko fails to land.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Ko in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

Ko breaks the clinch.
Ko goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McSweeney scores with a shot to the body.
Ko doesn't manage to clinch there - McSweeney circles away.
Ko scoring well with a low kick there.
McSweeney misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Ko closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ko is trying to break the clinch but McSweeney has him pressed against the cage.

Ko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McSweeney tries to clinch up
and Ko counters with a stiff right hand.

Ko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McSweeney goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ko prevents it.

Ko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ko throws a series of punches but McSweeney moves out of range.
Ko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McSweeney was well out of range. Poor timing from Ko.
Ko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McSweeney tries to clinch but Ko moves away

and Ko counters by clinching up.
McSweeney has Ko pressed against the cage, preventing Ko from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ko working hard to break the clinch.
Ko scores with a shoulder strike.
McSweeney blocking some punches.
McSweeney throws a head punch that misses.
Ko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short left from Ko.
McSweeney goes for a takedown attempt but Ko pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McSweeney counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McSweeney takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ko throws a sloppy head kick and McSweeney moves out of range easily.
Ko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ko throws a head kick that half lands.
McSweeney ducks under a wild hook from Ko.
McSweeney wants to clinch

and Ko moves into the clinch.
Ko has had enough of the clinch but McSweeney keeps him there for the moment.
McSweeney is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ko is defending well for now.
Ko avoiding damage as McSweeney throws knees to the body.

Ko manages to break the clinch.
Ko throws a lazy head kick
and McSweeney counters with a head kick. That will keep Ko thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Ko forces McSweeney back against the cage and clinches.
McSweeney takes a shot to the head.
Ko lands an uppercut.
Ko tries to land a knee to the head but McSweeney blocks with his arms.
A frustrated look appears on Ko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ko with a knee to the head.
Ko looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Ko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Katsu Ko's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're 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.

Ko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Ko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McSweeney unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
McSweeney tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ko smiles and moves away.
McSweeney blocks a head kick by Ko.
McSweeney tries to clinch but Ko moves out of range.

Ko moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice right hand lands inside from McSweeney.
Ko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McSweeney tries to land a knee to the head but Ko blocks with his arms.
McSweeney misses with a short punch on the inside.
McSweeney using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McSweeney tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ko tries to clinch up but McSweeney circles away and keeps his distance.
McSweeney closes the distance but Ko moves to the side

and Ko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
McSweeney working aggressively here.
Ko lands a body shot in the clinch.

Ko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ko closes the distance and pushes McSweeney back into the cage.

Ko breaks from the clinch.
McSweeney slips under a jab from Ko.

Ko has McSweeney up against the cage in a clinch.
McSweeney tries to land a knee to the head but Ko blocks with his arms.

Ko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ko tries a head kick but it misses.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McSweeney with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short uppercut from Ko.
McSweeney fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James McSweeney. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ko closes the distance and clinches.
Ko can't break the clinch.

Ko breaks from the clinch.
Ko throws a head kick that misses.
Ko wants to clinch.
Ko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
McSweeney throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Ko clinches up with McSweeney and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko misses with a knee to the head.
Ko is leaning against McSweeney and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ko throws a punch but it's blocked by McSweeney.

Ko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ko drives through and clinches with McSweeney against the cage.

Ko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ko tries to clinch but McSweeney moves out of range.
Ko tries to clinch up.
McSweeney lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McSweeney.
McSweeney throws a combination. Ko tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Ko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ko darts in and clinches McSweeney up against the cage.
Ko tries to land knees in the clinch but McSweeney avoids the damage to the body.
Ko blocks an elbow strike from McSweeney.
Ko lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Ko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McSweeney wants to clinch but Ko slips to the side
and Ko counters with a series of strikes. McSweeney will be more careful next time no doubt.

Ko gets a clinch.
McSweeney lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Ko manages to break the clinch.
McSweeney doesn't manage to clinch there - Ko circles away.
The fighters circling - Ko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McSweeney swats away the attempt to clinch by Ko.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Ko manages to break the clinch.

Ko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A knee to the head by McSweeney.
James McSweeney has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Katsu Ko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McSweeney throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Ko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ko 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsu Ko!