PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Macdonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vera Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Macdonald
vs
Couture

180 cm
23
175 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

190 cm
25
175 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Enjoys gardening

Ka-POW Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andrew Macdonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vera Couture!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Summer Carpenter and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Couture shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Macdonald looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Macdonald moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Couture trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Couture trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Macdonald manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Macdonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Couture swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Couture rushes Macdonald and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Macdonald tries to land knees in the clinch but Couture avoids the damage to the body.
Macdonald looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Couture has Macdonald pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Macdonald manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Couture is trying to trip Macdonald. He has hold of a leg but Macdonald is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Couture persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Macdonald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Couture looking to pass the guard.
Macdonald wants to stand and escape but Couture is having none of it.
Couture pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Macdonald is keeping the position for now.
Couture is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald has momentary wrist control but Couture slips an elbow through the middle.
Couture looking to pass the guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Macdonald throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Couture drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Macdonald keeping full guard, as Couture tries to pass.
Couture won't allow Macdonald to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Macdonald is on top in guard.
Macdonald is pushing down on Couture's leg trying to pass to half guard. Couture is fighting to maintain full guard but Macdonald has managed to sneak the leg through.
Macdonald stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Couture wants to stand back up but Macdonald manages to pass into side control.
Macdonald wants to stand but Couture has his arm trapped.
Macdonald tries to get to his feet but Couture is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Macdonald in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vera Couture dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Couture has Macdonald up against the cage in a clinch.
Macdonald with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Couture has picked Macdonald up - he's going for a ride! Couture dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Couture lands strikes from half guard.
Couture landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Macdonald is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Couture scores with a couple of nice shots.
Couture wants to pass the guard but Macdonald is defending well.
Macdonald is trying to stand up here but Couture is controlling him well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Couture is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Couture prevents Macdonald from improving his position.
Macdonald looks like he's trying to stand up.
Couture wants to pass the guard but Macdonald is defending well.
Couture prevents Macdonald from improving his position.
Macdonald keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Macdonald has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Couture is working away from the top position though.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Couture has closed the distance and engaged Macdonald in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Couture has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Macdonald avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Macdonald tries to work over Couture's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Couture drops down looking for an ankle pick but Macdonald pulls his leg out and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Couture.
Andrew Macdonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vera Couture.

Macdonald has closed the distance and engaged Couture in a clinch.
Macdonald is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Macdonald prevents the takedown attempt.
Macdonald unloads a knee to the mid-section. Couture lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Macdonald is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Macdonald prevents a takedown attempt there.
Couture drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Couture as Macdonald tries to tie him up.
Couture blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Couture changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Macdonald fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Couture on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Macdonald. Macdonald obviously looking to wear him down.
Couture lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Couture gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Macdonald lands an elbow inside that Couture shrugs off.
Couture goes for a takedown in the clinch but Macdonald prevents it.
Couture blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Couture drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four 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.
With the fighters up against the cage, Macdonald throws an elbow but misses.
Macdonald is looking to break free of the clinch but Couture has double underhooks.
Macdonald wants to stall.
Macdonald wants to break the clinch but can't.
Couture has Macdonald pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Macdonald manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Macdonald prevents a takedown attempt there.
Macdonald pressing his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vera Couture showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Couture shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Macdonald won't allow Couture to pass to mount.
Macdonald pushes Couture off looking to stand but Couture dives back in and keeps control.
Couture wants to free his trapped foot but Macdonald is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Macdonald is trying to stand.
Couture sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Macdonald defending well though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Macdonald looks like he's trying to stand up.
Couture is pressing down on Macdonald's thigh, looking to free his foot. Macdonald is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Macdonald crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Couture - the referee stops the clock and Macdonald gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Couture. Macdonald manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Macdonald tries to keep at a distance but Couture has taken the fight into the clinch.
Macdonald scores with a nice hook to the head.
Macdonald throws an elbow but it misses.
Macdonald prevents the takedown attempt.
A head punch on the inside from Macdonald fails to land.
Couture is trying to drag Macdonald to the mat but Macdonald just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Macdonald is pressed up against the cage. Couture has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Macdonald down to the mat. Macdonald avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Andrew Macdonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vera Couture.
Macdonald tries to clinch there but Couture circles away.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Macdonald lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Couture has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Couture and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Couture pushes Macdonald up against the cage in a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Macdonald just misses with a elbow thrown towards Couture's brow.
Andrew Macdonald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Macdonald pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Macdonald pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Macdonald connects with a nice looking jab.
Andrew Macdonald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Macdonald throws a sloppy head kick and Couture moves out of range easily.

Couture has closed the distance and engaged Macdonald in a clinch.
Macdonald is pressed up against the cage. Couture has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Macdonald down to the mat. Macdonald avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Macdonald slaps away a takedown attempt from Couture, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Couture shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Macdonald circles away from the clinch attempt.
Couture misses with a body kick.
Macdonald throws a quick inside leg kick.
Macdonald throws a wild body kick that Couture sees coming a mile off.
Couture fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Couture is defended easily by Macdonald.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Couture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture throws a one two combo.
Macdonald moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Macdonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Couture paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A head kick misses from Macdonald.
Couture shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Macdonald defends it nicely.
Couture avoids a kick to the body.

Couture gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Macdonald pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Macdonald trying to control the position but instead, Couture has worked for underhooks and has pushed Macdonald into the cage.
Couture tries for a takedown. No joy.
Macdonald is looking to control Couture's arms but Couture gets an underhook and turns him. Now Macdonald has his back to the cage.
Macdonald throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four 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.
Macdonald tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Macdonald tries to break the clinch but Couture is controlling the position.
Macdonald tries a knee to the head but Couture blocks it.
Macdonald throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Couture blocks it with crossed arms.

Couture has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Macdonald regains guard immediately.

Macdonald had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Couture defends it easily.

Macdonald has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Couture can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Couture postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Couture stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Macdonald swivels though and keeps the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vera Couture comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Couture winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vera Couture!