PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tommy McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Halfway Crook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crook comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Shook Ones pt II kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

McDonald
vs
Crook

180 cm
25
163 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

167 cm
20
163 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy McDonald!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Halfway Crook!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonald looks for a takedown but Crook sprawls well.
Crook looks to land a left hand but McDonald moved out of range nicely.
McDonald uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Crook.
Crook drops his hands momentarily and McDonald takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Crook shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McDonald counters with a right hand to the body.
McDonald scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Crook fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McDonald manages to avoid it.
Crook misses with a straight right.
Crook stuffs the takedown attempt from McDonald. McDonald gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crook misses with a two punch combination.
McDonald cracks Crook with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Halfway Crook seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McDonald looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McDonald misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crook misses with a looping left.
McDonald keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Crook.
McDonald keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McDonald stuns Crook with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

McDonald shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
McDonald with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

McDonald is working for a kimura but Crook is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McDonald seems to be looking for submissions.
McDonald misses with a head shot. Crook uses the momentum to regain guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Crook can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crook wants to hit a switch here but McDonald passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Crook there!
Crook keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
McDonald controlling the pace for now.
Crook is trying desperately to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McDonald throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy McDonald dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Crook avoids a punch combination nicely.
Crook lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
McDonald fails with the takedown
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Crook counters with a nice body shot.
Crook throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McDonald stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Crook bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McDonald shoots in but Crook avoids the takedown attempt easily.

McDonald is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Crook's half guard.
Crook is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald is looking to take a break and control but Crook is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McDonald prevents Crook from improving his position.
Crook is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McDonald will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Crook avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McDonald.
McDonald wants to take a breather but Crook is having none of it.
Crook won't allow McDonald to pass to mount.

McDonald is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A jab lands there for McDonald.
McDonald with a lazy takedown attempt
and McDonald takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crook jabs McDonald right on the nose. McDonald blinks but takes it well.
McDonald is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Crook fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McDonald looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crook leaves McDonald with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Crook misses with a body shot.
Crook bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McDonald's head.
Crook throws a jab when McDonald was well out of range.
McDonald gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Crook rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Crook scores with a hook to the body. McDonald takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Halfway Crook is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDonald takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McDonald looks for a takedown but Crook sprawls well.
Crook misses with a jab, cross combination.
McDonald uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Crook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald has a takedown stuffed.
Crook throws a jab but it's blocked by McDonald.
Crook stuffs the takedown attempt from McDonald. McDonald gets slowly back to his feet.
Crook with a nice cross.
Crook tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McDonald was well out of range. Poor timing from Crook.
Crook lands a nice looking body shot.
Crook misses with a wild combination.
Crook jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Crook thows a body shot but no joy.
Crook misses with a body shot.
Crook throws the left hand but McDonald avoids the punch easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halfway Crook showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! McDonald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Danga de danga de dang - Crook scores with a four punch combination!
McDonald loads up on a big right hand but Crook slips the punch.
Crook misses with a hook to the body

so McDonald counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Crook has control of McDonald's left arm, preventing McDonald from doing any damage.
McDonald tries to free his leg and advance position but Crook is retaining full guard.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Crook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crook controls McDonald momentarily but McDonald frees himself.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McDonald throws a strike but Crook rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
McDonald trying to control the position here.

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.
Crook slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald working for submissions but it's allowed Crook to get to half guard.
McDonald trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Crook seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
McDonald is looking for a sweep. Crook is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Crook seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McDonald does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDonald tries to roll over but Crook keeps him under control.
McDonald is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Halfway Crook just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McDonald lands a really nice looking cross but Crook seems unphased.
Crook slips under a jab.
Crook misses with a hook.
McDonald takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McDonald lands with a right hand.
Nice defenses there by McDonald.
Crook throws a left and a right that both miss

and McDonald decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Crook's guard.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Crook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Crook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McDonald prevents Crook from getting back to his feet.

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.
Crook is trying to control the position but McDonald postures up.
Crook really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McDonald. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Crook looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A punch combination from McDonald misses.
Crook throws a combination that misses
and McDonald counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McDonald dives in and grabs Crook's left leg, looking for a takedown. Crook pushes down on McDonald's head and hops out.
Nice sprawl there from Crook as McDonald shoots in.
Crook connects with a body shot.
McDonald takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
McDonald misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald misses with a combination
and Crook counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Crook just misses with a punch to the body.
McDonald jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice uppercut there from McDonald.
Crook moves into range and connects with a jab.
Halfway Crook seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Crook looks to land a left hand but McDonald moved out of range nicely.
McDonald fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Crook ducks right into an uppercut from McDonald.
Crook slips under a jab from McDonald.
Crook misses with a jab to the body

and McDonald counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Crook wants to control the position but McDonald says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crook is not content to let McDonald control the position.

Crook is defending against the submission attempts here by McDonald.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy McDonald had his way with Halfway Crook in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

McDonald lands a really nice looking cross but Crook seems unphased.
McDonald tries to move into range but Crook moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
McDonald throws a jab when Crook was well out of range.
Crook lands with a good body shot.
Nice shot by McDonald.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McDonald.
McDonald throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crook sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Crook fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McDonald manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crook. McDonald does a little dance to reset his feet.
McDonald lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Crook pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McDonald takes a shot right to the bread basket.
McDonald avoids the body shot from Crook.
McDonald misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Crook cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Crook looks to throw the jab but McDonald is out of range.
Crook throws a combination that misses
and McDonald counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Crook catches McDonald with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
McDonald keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McDonald moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Crook misses the target.
Crook throws a combination that misses

and McDonald counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Tommy McDonald overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McDonald controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Crook keeps moving.
Crook keeping full guard, as McDonald tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
McDonald seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
McDonald trying to control but Crook is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Halfway Crook comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Crook 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 48:48
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 47:48
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Halfway Crook!
Halfway Crook is the new lightweight champion!