PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Spaso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rolando McClain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McClain has chosen I'm about to crack as his entrance music. The key to victory for Mike Spaso has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Spaso
vs
McClain

187 cm
26
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

187 cm
19
218 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Spaso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rolando McClain!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McClain throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Spaso tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. McClain is in Spaso's guard.
Spaso utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McClain throwing strikes from guard but Spaso blocks nicely.
Spaso pulls McClain in close to prevent any damage.
Spaso looking to hit a scissor sweep but McClain is one step ahead there.
Spaso looking to control.
Spaso avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spaso trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mike Spaso wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Horrible takedown by McClain or perhaps it was just good defense by Spaso which made him look bad.

McClain scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Spaso wants to control but McClain is keeping busy.
Spaso wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spaso is trying to maintain the position but McClain is very close to passing his half guard.
McClain working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. McClain lands a nice short elbow.
Spaso is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spaso has hold of McClain's hands but McClain slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
McClain throwing shots but Spaso is blocking nicely.
Spaso keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Spaso is controlling McClain's position as best he can from this difficult position.
McClain wants to take a breather but Spaso is having none of it.
Spaso wants to control but McClain is keeping busy.
Spaso blocking the ground and pound attempt from McClain.
McClain wants to take a breather but Spaso is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spaso gets full guard.
Spaso tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McClain trying to control the position from guard on top but Spaso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spaso looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Spaso pulls McClain in close to prevent any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

McClain feints and as Spaso raises his hands in defense, McClain changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
McClain really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Spaso. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Spaso looking to control.
McClain connects with a couple of short punches.
Spaso tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Spaso is trying to control the position but McClain postures up.
McClain missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Spaso pulls McClain in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McClain thows a big elbow that misses.
McClain looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
McClain looking to pass the guard.
McClain is in close to Spaso's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Spaso is pulling down on McClain's head. It's preventing any offense from McClain, at least for the moment.
Spaso manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McClain manages to get himself to full guard.
Spaso loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McClain wants to stand up but Spaso is controlling him.
Spaso throwing strikes from guard but McClain blocks nicely.

McClain is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
McClain drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Spaso gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Spaso manages to break the clinch.
Spaso scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Spaso looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Spaso throws a right and a left that McClain avoids nicely.
McClain shoots in for a takedown but Spaso shows good takedown defense.
Mike Spaso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rolando McClain.
Spaso feints a jab promting McClain to slip. Spaso then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McClain slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Spaso gets caught flat footed, as McClain shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
McClain trying to control but Spaso is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolando McClain dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Good shot there by Spaso.
McClain is trying hard to land a takedown here. Spaso sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

McClain shoots in and bounces Spaso off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
McClain is stalling in the full guard.
McClain must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Spaso keeping moving, preventing McClain from controlling successfully.
Spaso is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Spaso manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McClain manages to get himself to full guard.
Spaso thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spaso working some strikes from top position.
Spaso stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McClain swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Spaso throws and elbow that misses. McClain uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Spaso's guard. Nice move by McClain!
McClain stopping the sweep attempt from Spaso.
Spaso is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Spaso lands strikes from half guard.
Spaso lands strikes from half guard.
McClain blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spaso.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McClain wants to get back to his feet.
Spaso lands with a punch from half guard.
Spaso throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McClain can do anything to dispel that myth.
McClain tries to kick Spaso off but Spaso keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Spaso looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Spaso looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Spaso working over McClain with some ground and pound. McClain looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Spaso takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
McClain pushes Spaso off looking to stand but Spaso dives back in and keeps control.
Spaso thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Spaso sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McClain defending well though.
Spaso is nestled in close to McClain, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
McClain looks like he's trying to stand up.
McClain is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spaso with the ground and pound but McClain uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Spaso pushing down on McClain's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Spaso prevents McClain from standing back up.
Spaso is keen to just control but McClain is a slippery customer.
Spaso slips a nice elbow through McClain's hands, connecting with McClain's forehead.
Spaso prevents McClain from standing back up.
Spaso thows a huge punch but McClain dodges it nicely.
Spaso not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Spaso sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McClain defending well though.
McClain blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spaso.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McClain blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spaso.
Spaso thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Spaso thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McClain's head.
Spaso not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McClain is trying to stand up here but Spaso is controlling him well.
Spaso lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Spaso sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McClain defending well though.
McClain is trying to stand.
Spaso 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.
Spaso working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Spaso thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McClain's head.
Spaso looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks McClain with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Spaso thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Spaso 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McClain fails to land the takedown.
Spaso throws a right and a left that McClain avoids nicely.
McClain shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Spaso pinned against the cage. Spaso gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Spaso lands with a slapping head kick.
Spaso throws a right and a left that both miss.
Spaso wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mike Spaso is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spaso lands a nice looking body shot.
Spaso keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mike Spaso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rolando McClain.
McClain avoids a punch combination nicely.
Spaso digs a good body shot into McClain's ribs.
McClain takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A left lands for Spaso.
Spaso swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Spaso throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McClain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Spaso, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McClain fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Spaso throws a nice looking combination but McClain bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Spaso cracks McClain with an open hand slap.
A left and a right from Spaso both land. Nice combination.
Mike Spaso is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McClain shoots in and drives through. Spaso sprawls well.
McClain takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Spaso feints a jab promting McClain to slip. Spaso then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McClain slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
McClain has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
McClain takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Spaso scores with a nice strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spaso moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Spaso lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McClain at a distance.
Spaso lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spaso scores with a one two! McClain had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Spaso's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Spaso duly obliges.
Spaso looks to land a combination. McClain sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McClain.
Spaso throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Spaso scores with a kick to the body.
Rolando McClain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A left and a right from Spaso both land. Nice combination.
Spaso closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Spaso stalks McClain and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McClain's face. McClain staggers backwards, shaken.
Spaso misses with a wild combination.
Spaso throws a head kick that half lands.
Nice body kick there by Spaso.
Spaso misses with a series of wild punches.
Spaso lands a jab to McClain's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spaso lands with a nice body punch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Spaso, as that shot connected.
Mike Spaso is winning the standup battle so far.

McClain shoots in and bounces Spaso off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Spaso looking for a sweep. Not yet Spaso, not yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Spaso holds on and takes a little breather.
McClain won't allow Spaso to sweep him here.
Spaso trying to keep a closed guard but McClain is proving a slippery customer.
McClain being controlled here momentarily.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
McClain trying to control the position from guard on top but Spaso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Mike Spaso.
Spaso slaps away a takedown attempt from McClain, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McClain shoots in but Spaso avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Spaso swinging wildly here.
McClain shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spaso defends it nicely.
Good exchange - Spaso coming out on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sloppy strikes from Spaso. Those never looked like landing.
Spaso displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
McClain showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spaso.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Spaso showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Spaso 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Spaso!