PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Greg MacDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Messinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Will Messinger enters the cage!

MacDonald
vs
Messinger

189 cm
26
150 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
139 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Knock Out Artistry
Knock Out Artistry

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Greg MacDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Will Messinger!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Steve Erwin and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacDonald rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Messinger moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Messinger clinches up against the cage.
MacDonald throws a punch but it's blocked by Messinger.

Messinger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
MacDonald throws a jab but it's blocked by Messinger.
MacDonald lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
MacDonald works over Messinger's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Will Messinger has been cut.
MacDonald misses with the combination.

Messinger has managed to clinch.
Messinger blocks an uppercut.
Messinger tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
MacDonald avoiding damage as Messinger throws knees to the body.
MacDonald fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Messinger is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. MacDonald is defending well for now.
MacDonald fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Messinger obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MacDonald throws a head punch that misses.
MacDonald wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
MacDonald blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

MacDonald manages to break the clinch.
MacDonald keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Messinger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from MacDonald.
MacDonald throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Messinger stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
MacDonald throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Messinger.
MacDonald really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Messinger tries to clinch but MacDonald moves out of range.
MacDonald will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messinger slips a jab and a cross from MacDonald.
MacDonald scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Messinger looks gassed!
Messinger changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. MacDonald tries to avoid it but Messinger manages to keep hold of a leg and drag MacDonald to the ground. MacDonald escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Greg MacDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Messinger.

Messinger moves into the clinch.
MacDonald tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from MacDonald.
Messinger prevents MacDonald from breaking the clinch.
MacDonald misses with a hook from the clinch.
MacDonald misses with a hook from the clinch.
Messinger using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Messinger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
MacDonald misses with a two punch combination.
MacDonald misses with a jab, cross combination.
MacDonald throws a right and a left that Messinger avoids nicely.
MacDonald throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Messinger scores with a leg kick.
Messinger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but MacDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Messinger fails to land the takedown.
MacDonald lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
MacDonald throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Messinger was well out of range. Poor timing from MacDonald.

Messinger gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Messinger tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
MacDonald misses with a hook from the clinch.
MacDonald lands with a short head shot on the inside.
MacDonald is looking to break free of the clinch but Messinger has double underhooks.

Messinger breaks the clinch.
Messinger fails with an attempt to clinch.
MacDonald scores with a nice strike.
MacDonald lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
MacDonald throws a right and a left that Messinger avoids nicely.
Messinger wants to clinch.
Greg MacDonald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
MacDonald takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Messinger bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
MacDonald wants to get back to his feet but Messinger drags him back down.
Messinger throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald tries to escape but Messinger is in control.

Messinger tries for a kimura but MacDonald is defending well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Messinger throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around MacDonald's waist but MacDonald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Messinger off to one side.
Messinger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Messinger uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from MacDonald.
MacDonald lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
MacDonald misses with a combination
and Messinger makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's four 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.
Messinger tries to close the distance and clinch up but MacDonald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A combination from MacDonald does no damage.
MacDonald fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
MacDonald throws a shot from downtown. Messinger moves away and avoids it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Messinger.

Messinger clinches.

Messinger pulls MacDonald into guard.
MacDonald trying to stand up but can't free himself from Messinger's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Messinger wants to stand up but MacDonald is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

MacDonald stands up from Messinger's guard - MacDonald perhaps looking for a knockout.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Messinger clinches up with MacDonald and pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on MacDonald's face as he tries to break the clinch.
MacDonald throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Greg MacDonald dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Will Messinger'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.

A thudding body kick lands there by Messinger!
Messinger thows a body shot but no joy.
MacDonald scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
MacDonald moves into range and connects with a jab.
Greg MacDonald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Messinger.
Messinger throws a push kick but MacDonald slaps the foot to one side.
MacDonald misses with a hook.
MacDonald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
MacDonald walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A head kick misses from Messinger.
MacDonald is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
MacDonald scores with a one two! Messinger had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Messinger misses with a kick to the body.
MacDonald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Messinger moves away.
MacDonald waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Messinger.
Messinger is looking to clinch but MacDonald is avoiding it.
Messinger is breathing heavily.
MacDonald scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
MacDonald scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Messinger shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Greg MacDonald is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice straight punches there by MacDonald. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of MacDonald.
MacDonald throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Messinger clinches.
MacDonald is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
MacDonald lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
MacDonald gets through Messinger's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Messinger has dropped down and is working for a takedown. MacDonald is trying to keep an underhook but Messinger manages to get the takedown into half guard.
MacDonald wants to get back to his feet.

Messinger decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Messinger scores with a kick to the midsection.
Messinger fails with an attempt to clinch.
MacDonald throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Messinger.
MacDonald has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Messinger.
Messinger looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Messinger fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with MacDonald, pushing him back against the cage.
MacDonald lands with a light punch inside.
Messinger putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has MacDonald in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Messinger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Messinger wants to clinch up but MacDonald keeps it at a distance.
Messinger walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Messinger slips a jab from MacDonald.
MacDonald swats away the attempt to clinch by Messinger.
MacDonald throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Messinger.
Messinger looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Messinger scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
MacDonald is trying to get back to his feet.

Messinger decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Messinger wants to clinch.
MacDonald paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
MacDonald takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Messinger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Messinger has managed to clinch.
Messinger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
MacDonald is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

MacDonald escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
MacDonald throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Messinger.
MacDonald comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Messinger moves into range and clinches up with MacDonald.
Messinger takes a shot to the head.
MacDonald misses with a hook from the clinch.
MacDonald prevents a takedown attempt there.
MacDonald tries to circle away but Messinger has him pinned against the cage.
Messinger has MacDonald pressed against the cage, preventing MacDonald from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Messinger creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Messinger blocks an uppercut.
MacDonald can't break the clinch.

Messinger jumps guard and drags MacDonald to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Messinger is working an open guard so MacDonald takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messinger looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? MacDonald is fending him off so far but Messinger persists. Nope, MacDonald circles away and we're back to standing.
MacDonald lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
MacDonald lands with a nice combination. Messinger backs away looking to recover.
Messinger tries a head kick but it misses.
MacDonald falls off balance throwing a combination

and Messinger counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Messinger.

Messinger breaks from the clinch.
MacDonald misses with a wild body shot.
Messinger lands a nice looking body shot.
MacDonald misses with a combination
and Messinger counters with a nice low kick that buckles MacDonald's knee momentarily.

Messinger moves into range and clinches up with MacDonald.
MacDonald wants to get back to striking at distance but Messinger won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Messinger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Messinger has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. MacDonald is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Greg MacDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Messinger.
MacDonald scores with a nice hook to the head.
Messinger tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. MacDonald smiles and moves away.
MacDonald connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Will Messinger will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Will Messinger's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

MacDonald lands a head shot.
MacDonald throws a nice looking combination but Messinger bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A lazy left from MacDonald finds it's target.
MacDonald misses with a shot to the body

and Messinger counters with a takedown into side control.
MacDonald is trying to buck Messinger off.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Messinger working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
MacDonald wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Messinger stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Messinger tries to close the distance and clinch up but MacDonald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Messinger takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Messinger has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Messinger's hands.
Messinger drops his hands momentarily and MacDonald takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
MacDonald tries to bum rush Messinger with a series of wild strikes but Messinger uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
MacDonald misses with a body kick.
Messinger wants to clinch up but MacDonald keeps it at a distance.
MacDonald misses with an uppercut.
MacDonald throws a left and a right that both miss

and Messinger counters by moving into the clinch.
Messinger lands an elbow just above MacDonald 's eye.
Messinger utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
MacDonald tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
MacDonald working aggressively here.
MacDonald throws a punch but it's blocked by Messinger.

Messinger drags the fight down to the ground.
MacDonald will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
MacDonald wants to get up but he can't break Messinger's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

MacDonald stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Messinger tries a head kick but it misses.
Messinger throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Messinger takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
MacDonald fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Messinger fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messinger wants to clinch up but MacDonald keeps it at a distance.
MacDonald works over Messinger's head and body with a nice combination.
MacDonald misses with a wild combination.
MacDonald misses with a looping right.
A solid leg kick lands there for Messinger.
MacDonald throws a series of punches but Messinger avoids them all with ease.

Messinger forces MacDonald back against the cage and clinches.
MacDonald gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Messinger.
Messinger blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from MacDonald.
MacDonald can't break the clinch.
MacDonald fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
MacDonald misses with a punch on the inside.
Messinger fails to pull guard.
MacDonald working aggressively here.

Messinger has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed MacDonald clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Messinger looking for the RNC.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacDonald manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.
Messinger dodges the punch combination from MacDonald.
MacDonald blocks a head kick by Messinger.
Messinger tries to clinch up but MacDonald circles away and keeps his distance.
MacDonald misses with a double jab
and Messinger counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps MacDonald thinking.
MacDonald dives in and grabs Messinger's left leg, looking for a takedown. Messinger pushes down on MacDonald's head and hops out.

MacDonald gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Messinger to score an easy takedown into full guard.

MacDonald wriggles free and stands up.
MacDonald looks to land a left hand but Messinger moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald misses with a two punch combination.
MacDonald looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
MacDonald listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Messinger tries to score a power double leg takedown but MacDonald sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Messinger somewhat.
Greg MacDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Messinger.
Some wild striking there from MacDonald.
MacDonald stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Messinger closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
MacDonald is trying to buck Messinger off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Messinger in side control, throwing shots but MacDonald defends.
MacDonald tries to escape but Messinger is in control.
Messinger trying to control the action but MacDonald is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Will Messinger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Messinger 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Will Messinger!