PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Max Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fionn Mac Cumhaill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michaels's entrance music is Hillbilly Deluxe. A fine choice. Mac Cumhaill is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Doomsword. The key to victory for Max Michaels has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Michaels
vs
Mac Cumhaill

185 cm
21
215 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

197 cm
21
210 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI
SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Max Michaels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fionn Mac Cumhaill !
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Reed Andrews and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mac Cumhaill shoots in but Michaels avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mac Cumhaill looks for a takedown but Michaels sprawls well.
Michaels dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mac Cumhaill . That did some damage!
Mac Cumhaill misses with a takedown attempt - Michaels sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Max Michaels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fionn Mac Cumhaill .
Michaels throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mac Cumhaill 's head.
Michaels is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Mac Cumhaill shoots in for a takedown but Michaels shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Michaels, right into the meat.
Mac Cumhaill fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Michaels lands with a right hand.
A head kick misses from Michaels.

Mac Cumhaill closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Michaels did well to prevent Mac Cumhaill getting side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Michaels is trying to maintain the position but Mac Cumhaill is very close to passing his half guard.

Mac Cumhaill is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mac Cumhaill looks gassed!
Michaels tries to roll over but Mac Cumhaill keeps him under control.
Michaels is pressing down on Mac Cumhaill 's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mac Cumhaill looking to pass the guard.
Michaels might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mac Cumhaill trying to control the position from guard on top but Michaels is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Michaels keeping full guard, as Mac Cumhaill tries to pass.

Michaels had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mac Cumhaill defends it easily.

Mac Cumhaill postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Michaels is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mac Cumhaill , into his guard.
Michaels trying to control but Mac Cumhaill is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Michaels pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mac Cumhaill is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mac Cumhaill is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Michaels tries to get to full guard but Mac Cumhaill has control of the leg.
Mac Cumhaill trying to mount his opponent but Michaels defends it.

Mac Cumhaill is looking for a kimura but Michaels is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mac Cumhaill to get the leverage.
Michaels is trying to maintain the position but Mac Cumhaill is very close to passing his half guard.

Mac Cumhaill is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Michaels has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels gets back to full guard.

Michaels is looking for a triangle but Mac Cumhaill pushes his legs off easily.

Michaels looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mac Cumhaill pushes down on Michaels's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Mac Cumhaill is looking for a kimura but Michaels is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mac Cumhaill to get the leverage.
Michaels is looking to control Mac Cumhaill 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Michaels avoid being mounted?

Mac Cumhaill looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Michaels is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mac Cumhaill tries to pass to full mount but Michaels defends it.
Mac Cumhaill is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Michaels is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mac Cumhaill 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mac Cumhaill 's back!
Mac Cumhaill rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Michaels seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mac Cumhaill does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Michaels sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mac Cumhaill defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Michaels smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Michaels slaps away a takedown attempt from Mac Cumhaill , before circling back to the center of the mat.
A combination from Michaels does no damage.
Decent striking displayed by Michaels there.
Mac Cumhaill shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Michaels sprawls well. Michaels wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mac Cumhaill gets slowly back to his feet.
Fionn Mac Cumhaill seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Michaels scores with a head kick.
Mac Cumhaill throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Michaels's waist but Michaels gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mac Cumhaill off to one side.
Max Michaels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fionn Mac Cumhaill .
Michaels tries to clinch but Mac Cumhaill is having none of it.
Michaels stuffs the takedown.
A nice leg kick lands there from Michaels.
Michaels misses with a series of wild punches.
Mac Cumhaill fails with a takedown attempt.
Michaels looks to land a combination but Mac Cumhaill avoids it well.
Mac Cumhaill is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mac Cumhaill takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Michaels looks to land a combination but Mac Cumhaill avoids it well.
Michaels throws a nice head kick!
Mac Cumhaill throws out a loose jab but Michaels uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Michaels. That's going to slow Mac Cumhaill down.
Michaels avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mac Cumhaill shoots in for a double leg but Michaels sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Michaels throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mac Cumhaill misses with an uppercut.
Michaels lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Michaels throws a leg kick which misses Mac Cumhaill 's front leg but catches the back leg as Mac Cumhaill tries to avoid it.
Michaels scores with a one two! Mac Cumhaill had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Max Michaels is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Michaels works Mac Cumhaill 's body with a nice hook.
Mac Cumhaill tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Michaels swivels and escapes.
Michaels thumps Mac Cumhaill with a low kick.
Michaels pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mac Cumhaill on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Michaels. Michaels obviously looking to wear him down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Michaels lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Michaels throws a head kick but Mac Cumhaill moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mac Cumhaill has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Michaels.
A nice inside leg kick there by Michaels. That's going to slow Mac Cumhaill down.
Mac Cumhaill 's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mac Cumhaill takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Michaels misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mac Cumhaill takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Michaels tries to clinch but Mac Cumhaill is having none of it.
Max Michaels is winning the standup battle so far.
Michaels throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Michaels fakes the leg kick and cracks Mac Cumhaill in the body.
Michaels lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mac Cumhaill circles away quickly and effectively.
Michaels throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A left and a right from Michaels both land. Nice combination.
Mac Cumhaill shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Michaels as he jumps to the side.
Michaels lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mac Cumhaill backs up against the cage.
Michaels uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Michaels works over Mac Cumhaill 's head and body with a nice combination.
Mac Cumhaill shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Michaels sprawls well. Michaels wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mac Cumhaill gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Michaels, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A slapping body kick lands there for Michaels.
Michaels misses with a head kick.
Michaels tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mac Cumhaill is trying hard to land a takedown here. Michaels sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A nice combination there by Michaels.
Michaels misses with a few strikes there.

Michaels rushes Mac Cumhaill and presses him up against the cage.
Mac Cumhaill is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Michaels with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Michaels lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Michaels takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Mac Cumhaill blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Mac Cumhaill has hold of one of Michaels's legs. Michaels is fighting the takedown attempt but Mac Cumhaill gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Michaels is looking for a triangle but Mac Cumhaill pushes his legs off easily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mac Cumhaill wants to control from the top but Michaels keeps moving.
Mac Cumhaill might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Michaels kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Michaels keeping full guard, as Mac Cumhaill tries to pass.
Mac Cumhaill preventing the sweep.
Mac Cumhaill is pushing down on Michaels's leg trying to pass to half guard. Michaels is fighting to maintain full guard but Mac Cumhaill has managed to sneak the leg through.

Mac Cumhaill is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Michaels doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mac Cumhaill .
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Michaels actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Michaels 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!

Mac Cumhaill scores with a punch to the head.

Michaels rushes Mac Cumhaill and presses him up against the cage.
Michaels prevents the takedown attempt.
Mac Cumhaill has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Michaels avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Michaels scores with a knee to the head.

Mac Cumhaill lands a takedown into guard.
Michaels controls Mac Cumhaill momentarily but Mac Cumhaill frees himself.

Mac Cumhaill drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Michaels manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mac Cumhaill has Michaels in his guard.
Mac Cumhaill looking to hit a scissor sweep but Michaels is one step ahead there.
Michaels works over Mac Cumhaill with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Michaels decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Michaels swinging wildly here.
Michaels throws a push kick but Mac Cumhaill slaps the foot to one side.
Mac Cumhaill throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Michaels's waist but Michaels gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mac Cumhaill off to one side.
Max Michaels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fionn Mac Cumhaill .
Michaels keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Michaels scores with a spinning back kick!
No joy there for Michaels, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mac Cumhaill throws a lazy right hand but Michaels sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Michaels throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Michaels keeps Mac Cumhaill at a distance using the push kick.
Michaels keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Michaels lands a high kick!
Michaels scoring well with a low kick there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels throws a right and a left that both miss.
Michaels throws a series of punches but Mac Cumhaill avoids them all with ease.
Michaels throws a head kick but Mac Cumhaill moves out of range.

Mac Cumhaill darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Michaels is trying to maintain the position but Mac Cumhaill is very close to passing his half guard.
Michaels tries to get to full guard but Mac Cumhaill has control of the leg.

Michaels is defending against the submission attempts here by Mac Cumhaill .
Michaels makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Michaels.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mac Cumhaill drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Michaels dives on top into guard.
Michaels makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mac Cumhaill wants to sweep but no luck.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Michaels's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Michaels postures up and lands a big shot to Mac Cumhaill 's brow.

Mac Cumhaill looking for a guillotine here but Michaels defends easily.

Mac Cumhaill looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Michaels has picked Mac Cumhaill up and slammed him! Mac Cumhaill can't keep hold of the triangle and Michaels manages to pass to side control!
You can see the frustration on Mac Cumhaill 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mac Cumhaill prevents Michaels from moving into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mac Cumhaill is not content to let Michaels control the position.
Mac Cumhaill is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Michaels decides to stand back up. Michaels steps back and let's Mac Cumhaill get back to his feet.
Mac Cumhaill shoots for a double leg takedown but Michaels sprawls well. He's pushed Mac Cumhaill 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Michaels lands a high kick!
Mac Cumhaill fails to land the takedown.
Mac Cumhaill showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Michaels.
Horrible takedown by Mac Cumhaill or perhaps it was just good defense by Michaels which made him look bad.
Michaels looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Michaels showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Michaels has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Michaels!