PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Stephan Potvin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John McKain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Potvin
vs
McKain

183 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
19
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Stephan Potvin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John McKain!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Trevor Gratis and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McKain throws a right and a left that both miss.
McKain rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Potvin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McKain misses with a series of wild punches.
John McKain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Potvin scores a takedown into full mount!
Potvin unloading with bombs!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Potvin misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Potvin thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
McKain really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Potvin looking to finish McKain with some ground and pound. This is bad for McKain!

Potvin is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. McKain can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Potvin looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKain can't escape the position.
McKain is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McKain taking shots to the head.
Potvin controlling the position easily from mount.
McKain wants to control but Potvin is having none of it.
Potvin lands a big elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potvin lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Potvin controlling his opponent.
Potvin landing strikes from the mount and McKain is in trouble!
Potvin landing shots from mount.
Potvin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Potvin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Potvin working for a submission but McKain is keeping him at bay.
Potvin controlling the pace for now.

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.
Potvin avoids the attempt from McKain to control.
McKain just holding on.
McKain wants to hold on but Potvin pushes him away.
Potvin controlling the pace for now.
Potvin lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Potvin shoots in but McKain avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A punch lands to the side of Potvin 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Potvin throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. McKain was covering up waiting for the punch and Potvin finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Potvin lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Potvin passes into half guard.
Potvin is looking to advance position but McKain won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Potvin is trying to work for a kimura but McKain is defending well.
McKain blocking the ground and pound attempt from Potvin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Potvin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
McKain won't allow Potvin to pass to mount.
Nice strikes from Potvin there.
McKain has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Potvin is working away from the top position though.

Potvin is trying to work for a kimura but McKain is defending well.
Potvin not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Potvin looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks McKain with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
McKain wants to control but Potvin is keeping busy.
Potvin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Stephan Potvin.

Potvin shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McKain napping and manages to drive through into side control!
McKain is breathing heavily.

Potvin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McKain is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
McKain seems a little lost for a moment, as Potvin dominates the positioning.
Stephan Potvin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Potvin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Potvin goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, McKain rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Potvin's guard! Nice work there by McKain!
McKain lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McKain trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McKain is looking to work some ground and pound but Potvin has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephan Potvin dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

McKain misses with a few strikes there.
Potvin fails with a takedown attempt.
McKain keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Good standup being displayed there by McKain as he connects with a hook.
Potvin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McKain avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephan Potvin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McKain lands a slapping body shot.
McKain cracks Potvin with a good jab.
A combination from McKain does no damage.
McKain throws a series of punches but Potvin avoids them all with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McKain misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potvin dives in and grabs McKain's left leg, looking for a takedown. McKain pushes down on Potvin's head and hops out.
Potvin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McKain scores with a nice body kick.
McKain moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A right-left combo lands from McKain.
McKain lands with a cross.
Potvin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McKain is fending him off so far but Potvin persists. Nope, McKain circles away and we're back to standing.
McKain moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Potvin walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Potvin misses with a double jab
and McKain counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potvin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Potvin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McKain counters with a two punch combo.
McKain looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Potvin misses with a takedown attempt
and McKain counters with a series of strikes. Potvin will be more careful next time no doubt.
Potvin doesn't succeed with the takedown
and McKain counters with a two punch combo.
Potvin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Potvin drops his hands momentarily and McKain takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
McKain lands a lovely overhand right.
Potvin has his takedown stuffed
and McKain cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKain lands a nice hook to Potvin's body. Potvin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Potvin doesn't succeed with the takedown
and McKain counters with a nice uppercut.
McKain slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Potvin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Potvin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Potvin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McKain swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potvin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Potvin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

And that's the end of the fight!
John McKain comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Potvin 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephan Potvin!