PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rich Black Bear (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack McConnely (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McConnely has chosen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Hv0tsvpyU&feature=channel as his entrance music. Zack McConnely will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Black Bear
vs
McConnely

191 cm
23
250 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

198 cm
25
250 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rich Black Bear!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zack McConnely!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black Bear defending well as McConnely loads up on a big left hand.
McConnely turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McConnely throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A combination from McConnely does no damage.
McConnely throws a right hand that Black Bear ducks under and follows up with a left that Black Bear also avoids with ease.
McConnely misses with a looping right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Black Bear. McConnely does a little dance to reset his feet.
McConnely thumps Black Bear with a low kick.
Black Bear leaves McConnely with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McConnely throws the kick towards the body but Black Bear avoids it.
McConnely tries to work over Black Bear's front leg with a kick but Black Bear checks it.
Black Bear avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Black Bear avoids the head kick by McConnely.
Black Bear avoids the head kick by McConnely.
McConnely tries to clinch but Black Bear moves out of range.
Black Bear throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Black Bear lands a right hook to the body.

Black Bear bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
McConnely is looking to reverse the position.

Black Bear is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McConnely knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black Bear in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
McConnely gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
McConnely is looking to improve his position but Black Bear isn't that keen on the idea.
McConnely wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Black Bear.

Black Bear working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Black Bear sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Black Bear goes for an armbar but McConnely turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from McConnely.

Black Bear working for a triangle but McConnely defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black Bear keeping full guard, as McConnely tries to pass.

Black Bear working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McConnely doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McConnely manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
McConnely trying to control but Black Bear is working from the bottom.
McConnely postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Black Bear escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McConnely gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Black Bear looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black Bear keeping moving, preventing McConnely from controlling successfully.

Black Bear working for a triangle but McConnely defends it easily.

Black Bear is looking for a triangle but McConnely pushes his legs off easily.
Black Bear is breathing heavily.
Black Bear throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McConnely throwing strikes but missing.

Black Bear looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

McConnely got a little sloppy there for a moment and Black Bear has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McConnely has managed to get both his arms back between Black Bear's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Black Bear trying to strike off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McConnely accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Black Bear has his foot on McConnely's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McConnely works his way back into a safe position though.
Black Bear utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McConnely wants to control from the top but Black Bear keeps moving.
McConnely trying to stand up but can't free himself from Black Bear's guard.

McConnely avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

McConnely avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McConnely wants to stand but Black Bear has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Black Bear throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! McConnely escapes and throws Black Bear's legs to the side, diving into side control!

McConnely tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Black Bear dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Black Bear closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McConnely to the mat! McConnely manages to get full guard.

Black Bear is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Black Bear drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and McConnely dives on top into guard.

Black Bear looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Black Bear looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Black Bear striking off his back but it's not causing McConnely any problems.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Black Bear escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McConnely gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
McConnely passes Black Bear's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McConnely tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Black Bear looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
McConnely throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Black Bear looking for submissions off his back.
Black Bear gets full guard.
Black Bear keeping moving, preventing McConnely from controlling successfully.
McConnely working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McConnely looks to land a combination but Black Bear avoids it well.
McConnely slips a jab from Black Bear.

That's two 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.

Black Bear shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McConnely napping and manages to drive through into side control!
McConnely is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Black Bear is controlling him well.

Black Bear thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Black Bear wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McConnely, who protects the arm well.

Black Bear is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McConnely knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on McConnely's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McConnely is looking to regain half guard here but Black Bear keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black Bear in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Black Bear has an Americana. McConnely didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Black Bear is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Black Bear hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Rich Black Bear!