PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Murphy McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Shachner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murphy McDonald has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

McDonald
vs
Shachner

175 cm
21
154 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

150 cm
21
162 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Murphy McDonald!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rory Shachner!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Emerson Jorge and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shachner shoots in for a takedown but McDonald shows good takedown defense.

Shachner closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

McDonald is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Shachner pulls his head out easily.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Shachner has eaten all the pies!
McDonald is looking to improve his position.
McDonald looks like he's trying to stand up.
McDonald has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shachner is working away from the top position though.
McDonald is looking to improve his position.
Shachner trying to control the action but McDonald is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McDonald looking for a kimura from the bottom but Shachner passes into side control!
McDonald tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shachner.
Shachner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Shachner closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shachner wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McDonald, who protects the arm well.
McDonald tries to improve position but can't.
Shachner trying to control the position but McDonald is working away.
McDonald is trying to control Shachner's posture but Shachner avoids it.
McDonald is not content to let Shachner control the position.
Shachner just content to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on McDonald's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McDonald tries to buck Shachner off but Shachner is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
McDonald fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shachner shoots in looking for a takedown. McDonald tries to sprawl out of it but Shachner keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McDonald manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Murphy McDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory Shachner.

Shachner changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. McDonald looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is looking for a sweep.

Shachner wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McDonald, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shachner's best efforts.
Shachner looks gassed!
Shachner is thwarting McDonald's attempts to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shachner prevents McDonald from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Shachner dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McDonald misses with a takedown attempt

and Shachner counters with a single leg into guard. McDonald didn't expect that.
McDonald is trying to hold Shachner in close to prevent damage but Shachner has managed to pass into half guard.
McDonald keeping hold of Shachner's head, controlling as best he can.

McDonald actively working from the bottom here.
Shachner trying to control from half guard but McDonald is working away.

Shachner is looking for a kimura here.
McDonald is trying to control but Shachner manages to pass to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald is trying to escape the mount.
McDonald slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Shachner seems to be working for a kimura but McDonald defends the submission attempt.
Shachner is breathing heavily.
McDonald tries to roll over but Shachner keeps him under control.
Shachner wants to free his trapped foot but McDonald is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McDonald manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McDonald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McDonald controlling the position.

McDonald working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shachner doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shachner manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Shachner from controlling successfully.

McDonald is looking for a triangle but Shachner pushes his legs off easily.
McDonald looking for a sweep. Not yet McDonald, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shachner pushes down on McDonald's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McDonald wants to get back to full guard.
McDonald trying to control but Shachner postures up.
McDonald is pressing down on Shachner's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

McDonald had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Shachner is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. McDonald Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Shachner's back instead.

McDonald working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald tries to get the hooks in deep but Shachner pushed the leg off.

McDonald patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
I really don't envy Shachner right now.

McDonald is looking for a rear naked choke here but Shachner reverses the position brilliantly into McDonald's guard!

Shachner avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shachner trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rory Shachner has got the better of the ground game so far.

McDonald looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murphy McDonald dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Shachner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and McDonald counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shachner won't be happy with that.

McDonald tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
McDonald postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Shachner tries to bench press McDonald off him but McDonald keeps the position.
McDonald tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shachner is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shachner can't do much from the bottom here.
McDonald wants to control but Shachner is keeping him busy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McDonald misses with a takedown

and Shachner counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

McDonald is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Shachner pulls his head out easily.
Shachner trying to pass the guard but McDonald defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shachner is looking to take a break and control but McDonald is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Shachner is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Shachner stops McDonald from getting back to his feet.

Shachner is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, McDonald has managed to free his arm - good work.
McDonald is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Shachner seems to be working for a kimura but McDonald defends the submission attempt.
Shachner is pressing down on McDonald's thigh, looking to free his foot. McDonald is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shachner is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Shachner is looking for a kimura but McDonald is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shachner to get the leverage.
Shachner wants to take a breather but McDonald is having none of it.
McDonald gets full guard.
McDonald looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shachner trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McDonald is trying to stick to Shachner's back but Shachner is turning into McDonald. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in McDonald's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Shachner.
McDonald has his hands on Shachner's head, controlling the position.
McDonald is trying to control the position but Shachner postures up.

Shachner drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shachner jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

McDonald has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shachner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shachner slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
McDonald is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Shachner off and has taken his back!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rory Shachner.
I think Shachner 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rory Shachner!
Rory Shachner is the new lightweight champion!