PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Diablo Rage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Barry McGill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rage
vs
McGill

185 cm
24
188 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

180 cm
19
192 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Diablo Rage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Barry McGill!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from McGill as Rage shoots in.
McGill with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rage counters by clinching up.
Rage lands a nice shot to the body.
McGill is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rage is trying to drag McGill to the mat but McGill just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Rage breaks the clinch.
Barry McGill seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGill with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rage counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Diablo Rage has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry McGill.
Rage lands a good knee to the midsection. McGill won't want to take too many of those.
Rage trying to stall but McGill improves his position.
McGill tries to score a body lock takedown but Rage shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rage lands with a left to the head.
McGill wants a takedown but no success here.
McGill gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rage.
Rage is pressed up against the cage. McGill has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rage down to the mat. Rage avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rage doesn't manage to clinch there - McGill circles away.
Rage has his takedown stuffed

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGill is looking to take a break and control but Rage is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McGill postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
McGill tries to move to mount but Rage blocks the move with his legs.
McGill laying and praying for a moment but Rage takes advantage and regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rage is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rage works his way to full guard. Good work.
McGill controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rage looking to hit a scissor sweep but McGill is one step ahead there.

Rage had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. McGill is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Rage Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take McGill's back instead.
McGill looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGill breaks Rage's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
McGill content to stall in guard here.
Rage bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McGill's guard.
McGill pulls Rage in close to his closed guard and prevents Rage from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rage trying to control the position from guard on top but McGill is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rage postures up in McGill's guard and throws a big left but McGill blocks it.

McGill looking for a guillotine here but Rage defends easily.
Rage's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Barry McGill will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McGill with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rage counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rage.

McGill shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rage is trying to control but can't.
McGill stalling.
McGill is looking to take a break and control but Rage is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGill is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rage is just riding it out for now. McGill eventually gives up the hold.
Rage has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McGill is working away from the top position though.
Rage is looking for a sweep. McGill is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McGill misses with a takedown attempt

and Rage counters by clinching up.
Rage is trying to break free.
McGill has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rage is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Diablo Rage has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry McGill.

Rage breaks from the clinch.
McGill shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rage counters with a shoot takedown. McGill fights it but they end up in guard.
McGill is breathing heavily.
Rage postures up.
Rage wants to pass the guard but McGill is keeping the position.

McGill is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rage is aware though and is defending well.
Rage postures up.

McGill working for submissions but it's allowed Rage to get to half guard.
Rage is taking a breather. McGill says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rage is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McGill sees it coming and defends easily.

Rage decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
McGill doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rage is trying to maintain a safe position but McGill gets an underhook and turns Rage into the cage.

Rage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGill doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rage counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rage.
Rage pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McGill is keeping the position for now.
Rage trying to control the position from guard on top but McGill is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGill has momentary wrist control but Rage slips an elbow through the middle.
Rage passes into half guard.
McGill is trying to control but Rage passes into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diablo Rage dominated that second round.
That's time! Rage's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Rage shoots for a takedown but McGill saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McGill tries for a takedown but Rage sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Rage as McGill shoots in.
Rage has his takedown stuffed

so McGill counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
McGill trying to control but Rage is working from the bottom.
McGill postures up.
Rage keeping moving, preventing McGill from controlling successfully.
McGill must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rage looking to control.
Rage keeping moving, preventing McGill from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rage throws a head kick that misses.

McGill shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rage napping and manages to drive through into side control!
McGill wants to control but Rage is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGill creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rage sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
McGill trying to control the position but Rage is working away.
McGill taking a breather here.
Rage tries to bench press McGill off him but McGill keeps the position.
Rage is trying to escape the position but McGill is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGill is trying to get an arm triangle but Rage is defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rage gets a clinch.
McGill can't get the takedown.
Diablo Rage has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry McGill.

Rage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McGill takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McGill shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rage as he jumps to the side.
McGill stuffs the takedown attempt from Rage. Rage gets slowly back to his feet.
McGill doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rage counters with a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rage lands a nice looking body shot.

Rage rushes McGill and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rage tries for a takedown but McGill manages to get underhooks.

Rage works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
McGill has control of Rage's left arm, preventing Rage from doing any damage.
McGill controls Rage momentarily but Rage frees himself.
McGill is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

McGill looking for a guillotine here but Rage defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Barry McGill.
I think McGill 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Barry McGill!